Iceland review - 2004, Qupperneq 61

The first settler, Ingólfur Arnarsson, selected the area of Reykjavík as his home.
Nine hundred years later, in 1786, the inhabitants numbered 167.
SEA SHANTIES AND FIREWORKS
The Reykjavík Old Port
As with many cities by the sea, the harbour is both a point of reference and a source
of income for its inhabitants. Reykjavík’s old port serves as a reminder of the role that
the sea has played and continues to play in the lives of its people. Plus, if you’re ever
lost in the winding streets of the downtown, all it takes is a glance to the water to
know exactly where you are. A big part of Reykjavík’s charm and magnetic appeal for
the rest of the world is its place next to the Atlantic – just ask anyone who grew up
landlocked.
It should come as no surprise then, that the old port has developed into a hub of cul-
tural activity in the past few years. The construction of a new music hall, scheduled to
commence in 2006, will confirm the harbour’s unique status in the arts. Its importance
to Reykjavík’s cultural life is evidenced by its increasing use for events and fun-filled
activities for visitors during the summer months.
FESTIVAL OF THE SEA
This activity comes to a head with the Festival of the Sea, which takes place on
the first weekend in June. This festival is a combination of the harbour day and
the Seaman’s Day, which is a traditional annual celebration of the ocean and the
people who work in the fishing industry. This two-day program will include for
the first time this year a varied concert of sea shanties (traditional fishing songs).
The festival will also include quite a lot of sports activities, such as rowing and
sailing competitions.
In addition to the festival, there are daily trips from the harbour for whale-
watching and fishing tours throughout the summer. Seeing some of the largest
mammals on Earth up close is an experience that no one can soon forget. Later
in the summer, check out the fireworks display and outdoor concerts on the har-
bour during the Culture Night (Menningarnótt) celebrations in August.
Word is spreading about Reykjavík as a popular vacation destination and you
need look only as far as the harbour to see the evidence. This year, a total of
sixty-nine cruise ships will dock at the Reykjavík Harbour, where more than
ample depth and excellent facilities combine to accommodate the largest ships
in the world.
REYKJAVÍK – PURE ENERGY / 59
DID
YOU
KNOW?
051 IR204-suppl-59.ps 7.6.2004 10:01 Page 59