Address of the Valkyrie of Hafnarfjörður 2023

The singer from Hafnarfjörður, Klara Elíasdóttir, is the 2023 Mountain Maiden of Hafnarfjörður. On National Day itself, in the heart of Hafnarfjörður and in front of a large crowd, Klara premiered her song 'Loforð', which serves as the 2023 Mountain Maiden's address and love letter to the town.

Promise

Author: Klara Ósk Elíasdóttir

Where the lakes meet

At the sharp edge of the lava

Where the sea and sky kiss

That's where you and I meet

Where Helgafell towers

Over a tired walker

Where the beautiful Heiðmörk winds its way

My heart a hundredfold

But in exchange for my love

For the eternal summer night

Make me a few promises

Let ignorance and hatred

Do not poison your heart

Wouldn't the sky be sad

If the rainbow were in one colour

Stop complaining about the weather

It doesn't matter

Though it rains and it blows

If you have a roof over your head

May these promises be the beginning

And in your breast, the compass

Who will be known in your heart

And refer correctly each time

Finally, you shall promise

That this message is from me

Let every man, queer and woman know

For a thousand years after you

And in return for my love

The starry winter night

Make me a few promises

Always give a warm welcome.

To those who flee the world's woes

May they enjoy the same privileges.

And those who are born to freedom

Stop complaining about the weather

It doesn't matter

Though it rains, blows, freezes, snows

You have a roof over your head

Here with you I shall rest

Where the ships sail home

Here the Hammer will forever shelter

Land and fjord, the two of us

———–

Thanks, Klara, and congratulations on this fantastic song.

Happy day, dear residents of Hafnarfjörður!

———–

Sincere thanks from the 2023 Miss Hafnarfjörður go to:

• Hafnarfjörður municipality and the fantastic 17th June organising committee for believing in me and supporting me in all my crazy ideas. You are an example to follow!
• Halldór Gunnar Pálsson for writing the song with me and making your day 25 hours long for me.
• Helga Margrét Marzelíusardóttir for making a brilliant arrangement for the choir.
• Margrét Gauja Magnúsdóttir for believing in me and encouraging me since I was 14 years old and squeezing me into either leather trousers or national costumes! Lovjúlongtæm!
• The Male Choir Þrestir and Árni Heiðar Karlsson. Thanks for being a legend, lads! What an honour to sing with you!
• Sandra Karlsdóttir for the pep, the friendship and the help with the preparations!
• The Vikings Ingo & Erna for lending us the beautiful sword that appears in the picture.
• Ásta Björnsdóttir for helping me with the costume, telling me about our national costumes and for being a rock during the preparations. Wonderful!
• Thank you, dear Uncle Óli Már, for taking the photo and magically creating exactly what I had imagined!
• Hildur Ösp Agnars for the hair in the picture! So grateful that you wove yourself into my life!
• Elín Reynis and for making me look pretty for the photo!
• Thanks to Silla at Hárbeitt for making me look so smart on the day itself! 20+ years on and still knocking projects together... Yet we're not getting any older!
• Jeremy for keeping me grounded. The best in the world.
• Mum & Dad for supporting me with all their hearts in everything.
• Thank you, Grandma, for always being my biggest fan. For teaching me that women are best among themselves, that women should take up space, and that they don't have to be popular while doing so. Follow your heart and keep going… preferably in heels. Miss you. This was for you…