Atlantica - 01.11.2000, Page 62

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3 November
The Northern Lights Festival
The festival will literally bring to light the cold and dark sides of
winter existence in the North. Numerous artisans from Bergen
and Helsinki will participate, along with an international chil-
dren’s choir. The festival runs through 6 November and takes
place throughout Reykjavík.
3 November
A Festival of Young Artists
The Festival of Young Artists is a ten-day event showcasing the
creativity of youth. It’s been an annual event in Reykjavík since
1992, with concerts, poetry readings, photography exhibits,
fashion and sporting events. For more information contact
Hitthúsid, tel. (+354) 551 5353.
4 November
John Baldessari
The Reykjavík Art Museum will open a new centre of art and
culture in the Harbour House at Tryggvagata, in downtown
Reykjavík. A retrospective exhibition of the Museum’s collection
will be launched, giving an overview of 20th century art in
Iceland. The exhibit runs through 31 December.
11 November
The Mother in Icelandic Photography
The exhibition, sponsored by the Reykjavík Museum of
Photography, reveals the social and human condition of
Icelandic motherhood put into a historical context. Displayed
will be original vintage prints and contemporary prints from
original negatives. An extensive book on the subject will also be
published.
22 November
Piano Virtuoso
Piano Virtuoso reaches its climax as the Icelandic division of
EPTA (European Piano Teachers’ Association) hosts for the first
time the Icelandic piano competition for young pianists. The
competition is open to pianists aged 25 and younger. The com-
petition takes place at Kópavogur and The Icelandic Opera, and
runs through 26 November.
7 December
New Orchestral Work by Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson
Reykjavík 2000 commissioned Icelandic composer Hjálmar H.
Ragnarsson to write a new orchestral work for the Iceland
Symphony Orchestra (ISO) in honour of the ISO’s 50th anniver-
sary. The composer’s new arrangement – to be performed at
the University Theatre – finds parallels between the imaginary
world of music and the actual world that we see and sense.
17 December
Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra
– Christmas Concert
It’s been 250 years since Johann Sebastian Bach passed away.
So, this year, the Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra plans to
dedicate their annual Christmas concert entirely to the music of
Bach in a concert not to be missed.
28 December
Reykjavík in a Different Light
– A Film By Hrafn Gunnlaugsson
Hrafn Gunnlaugsson’s new visionary film on Reykjavík pre-
mieres at the City Hall and on Television on 28 December and
runs until the end of the year. The film examines how the city
would have developed if interesting but often unrealistic ideas
had been put into practice.
It’s hard to believe Reykjavík’s cultural year is nearly finished. But don’t
fret, because the events scheduled for the last two months promise to
send the Reykjavík City of Culture 2000 celebrations off with the prover-
bial bang.
Kicking off the beginning of the end is the magical “Northern Lights
Festival”, exploring the way in which residents of northern nations
cope and thrive during the almost eternal night of winter. Those
fortunate enough to be travelling through the pollution-free wilds of
Iceland must make sure to look towards the heavens to witness the
stars radiating brilliantly. And if one is lucky, the Aurora Borealis might
display its greenish ghost-dance across the dark tundra of sky.
November’s diverse programme enables visitors and residents to
experience the impact of the newest generation of artists by attending
one or all of the events scheduled around the ten-day “Festival of
Young Artists”. Then there are the mothers. Take a look backwards into
the history of Icelandic motherhood by attending a photo exhibition
revealing the struggles and triumphs of Iceland’s matriarchs. If that’s
not enough to satisfy those cultural hunger pains, one can attend a
piano competition hosted by the European Piano Teachers’ Association
and listen to young virtuosos strut their stuff on the ivories.
Music is also on the menu for December. The Icelandic Symphony
Orchestra, celebrating its 50th anniversary, plans to perform a new
arrangement by Icelandic composer Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson. The music
will expose the link between the mythical world of imagination and the
concrete life of our physical senses. Ahh, Bach. Must anything else be
written? Only that the Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra plans to honour
Johann Sebastian in its annual must-see Christmas Concert. Finally,
catch an alternate glimpse of Reykjavík in the new film by Hrafn
Gunnlaugsson, Reykjavík in a Different Light. The movie peers into
Reykjavík’s possible evolution had certain ideas been realised.
The city of Reykjavík will once again segue into the new year with an
energetic and wild display of fireworks that will surly provide that infa-
mous end-of-the-year bang. Whether attending a formal party or just
stepping outside to enjoy the show, make sure to have enough sleep in
the reserve tank because New Year’s Eve promises to last and engage.
Edward Weinman is a staff writer.
Winding Down
Winter is a special time in Iceland: darkness begins to
dominate the 24-hour clock; then there are the clear days
when the sun radiates off the snow-covered peaks creating a
winter postcard. Winter is celebrated in the last two months
of Reykjavík’s cultural year with a plethora of diverse events.
Edward Weinman takes a glimpse at the Reykjavík City of
Culture 2000 programme for November and December.
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For more information on the winter programme,
log on to www.reykjavik2000.is
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