Iceland review - 2004, Síða 84

ICELAND REVIEW SUPPLEMENT / 82
17 June
Lýdveldisdagurinn – National Day
June 17th is the day Iceland celebrates becoming
an independent nation. In 1944, independence
movement leader Jón Sigurdsson’s (1811-1879)
birthday was chosen as the day when Iceland was
proclaimed a republic. Celebrations feature
parades, street theatre, music and dancing.
11 June – 15 August
I Didn't Do It
Reykjavík Art Museum-Hafnarhús.
Private exhibition of Thorvaldur Thorsteinsson’s
works and the summer exhibition at the Reykjavík
Art Museum-Hafnarhús.
19 June
Kvenréttindadagurinn – Women’s Rights Day
Women’s Rights Day is marked as a day of cele-
bration for women and for discussing feminist
issues.
21 June
Sumarsólstödur – summer solstice
Welcome to the longest day of the year: the sun
rises at 02.54 and doesn’t set until 00.05.
31 July - 2 August
Verslunarmannahelgi – Summer Bank Holiday
Iceland’s bank holiday (the first weekend in
August), which commemorates the traditional
shopkeepers’ summer break, is celebrated wildly
by the nation’s young at heart with music, drink-
ing and camping festivals, the biggest of which is
on the Westmann Islands.
6-7 August
Gay Pride
Two days of parades and partying, with thou-
sands marching through the streets of Reykjavík.
The weekend also includes an outdoor concert
with both Icelandic and international artists per-
forming, along with dances and assorted activi-
ties.
21 August
Menningarnótt – Reykjavík’s Cultural Evening
The Reykjavik Culture Night has become an essen-
tial part of cultural life in Iceland, with thousands
of people strolling the streets of the city on this
exciting and eventful day and night. The Culture
Night offers the chance to enjoy a variety of activ-
ities ranging from traditional shows and exhibi-
tions to more unusual happenings. Cultural insti-
tutions such as museums and galleries, ateliers,
shops, cafes, churches, restaurants and bars in
downtown Reykjavík stay open until late.
21 August
Reykjavík Marathon
The main event attracts thousands of runners
from across the world, and there’s also strong
support for a half marathon and a fun run – all
held the same day.
3 – 11 September
Reykjavík Dance Festival
The Reykjavík Dance Festival takes place at the
City Theatre and is a showcase for the latest
development in dance in Iceland, as well as an
invitation to the international dance community
through co-productions and guest performances.
11 September - 23 October
National Gallery
Guðmunda Andrésdóttir (1922-2002) A Retrospec-
tive. Gudmunda Andrésdóttir was one of the
most prominent representatives of abstract art in
Icelandic painting in the 20th century. She donat-
ed many of her works to the National Gallery,
including all her drawings and sketches. On this
occasion the Gallery stages a retrospective.
18 September - 23 October
120-Year Anniversary of the National Gallery
One of the main objectives of the Gallery is the
preservation of the thousands of works in its col-
lection. This is the first exhibition in Iceland devot-
ed to conservation and restoration. It is meant to
illustrate the importance of the storage and con-
servation of artworks as well as the important
heritage of art, for which the National Gallery of
Iceland is responsible.
24 – 28 September
Nordisk Panorama - 15th Nordic Short &
Documentary Film Festival
As the main attraction, Nordisk Panorama high-
lights 50-60 of the very best short films & docu-
mentaries from Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
Norway and Sweden in the Competition
Programmes. In addition, side-programmes and
seminars put the spotlight on strong films and
timely issues from a European perspective.
29 September – 3 October
Jazz Festival
The annual Reykjavík Jazz Festival is an increas-
ingly prestigious event on the international jazz
scene. It features many acclaimed international
jazz players as well as the majority of Iceland’s
leading jazz musicians.
20 - 24 October
Iceland Airwaves
An international music festival that presents the
hottest new bands from the USA, Europe and
Iceland. Since its debut in 1999, Iceland Airwaves
has hosted Sigur Rós, Quarashi, Suede, Citizen
Cope, Fat Boy Slim and the Hives, to name a few.
October
Screensaver
The Iceland Dance Company performs Screensaver
by Israeli choreographer Rami Beer at the City
Theatre.
5 – 13 November
Unglist – Young Art Festival
Unglist, the art festival of young people, has been
a yearly event in Reykjavik since 1992. The pro-
gram consists of music, design, fashion, photogra-
phy, paintings and theatre, just to mention a few.
Young art’s main purpose is to give culture's
underground a chance to shine and get their art
into the public spotlight.
6 November - January 2005
National Gallery – Art under Forty
What are the issues dealt with by the youngest
generation of Icelandic artists? How do they
experience their environment and how is it
reflected in their art? What are the messages
coded into their works?
1 December
Fullveldisdagurinn – Independence Day
On 1 December 1918, Iceland was officially
declared an independent nation.
21 December
Vetrarsólstödur – winter solstice
Welcome to the darkest day of the year: the sun
lifts up above the horizon at 11.22, and then dis-
appears at 15.30.
23 December
Thorláksmessa – St. Thorlákur’s Day
Preparations for Christmas feasts in Iceland reach
their pinnacle on St. Thorlákur’s Day, the day
before Christmas Eve, which pays tribute to one
of the few indigenous saints of Iceland, Thorlákur
Thórhallsson.
24 December
Adfangadagur jóla – Christmas Eve
The tolling of church bells at 6 pm on 24
December heralds for most the start of Christmas
in Iceland. At this time, a Christmas mass is broad-
cast live to the nation on the radio.
[+] DAYS OF NOTE
One way to tap into the culture of a nation is to observe their high days and holidays. Below are the days of
the year that Icelanders hold dear.
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