A Heartstone in Memory of Guðrún Helgadóttir

Guðrún's family unveils a memorial in the heart of Hafnarfjörður

A heart-shaped stone in memory of Guðrún Helgadóttir was laid today in the heart of Hafnarfjörður, in front of the Bæjarbíó. The idea for a beautiful tribute and monument first arose in conversation with the author himself, following the She was honoured in Hafnarfjörður for her literary work. her and her contribution to Icelandic culture in connection with the 2018 Children's Book and Film Festival. Guðrún and her family liked the idea, and now a heart-shaped stone in memory of one of the most beloved and popular authors of our time has been unveiled. Guðrún passed away on 23rd March last. 

^{Guðrún Helgadóttir's family unveils a heart stone in the heart of Hafnarfjörður in her memory.} 

The woman and the brothers whom the nation has learned to love

The writer Gudrún Helgadóttir from Hafnarfjörður has created characters that the nation has learnt to love over the years, such as Páll Vilhjálmsson and the twin brothers Jón Oddsson and Jón Bjarni. Through her creativity and sincerity in her writing, she managed to capture the pure interest of children and young people, immersing them in a world of adventure through reading and experience. Gudrún's body of fiction numbers almost thirty, and her books have been published in various languages. The setting for several of her books has been in Hafnarfjörður, and in particular connected to her family's childhood home on Jófríðarstaðir Road.

^{Author Gunnar Helgason read from the book Jón Oddur & Jón Bjarni at a warm and modest ceremony in the Bæjarbíó.} 

Björn Thoroddsen, the 2022 Artist in Residence for Hafnarfjörður, played a few well-chosen songs for the guests and family of Guðrún. 

The film – Jón Oddur & Jón Bjarni – was shown on the director's screen to mark the unveiling.

Guðrún's immediate family were present at the unveiling of the heart stone during a warm and modest ceremony. The family then attended a private screening at the Bæjarbíó cinema, where the film – Jón Oddur and Jón Bjarni – was shown on the big screen. The book about the twins is one of the most popular children's books ever published in Iceland. The story was Guðrún's debut, for which she received the Nordic Children's Book Prize. The film about Jón Oddur & Jón Bjarni, by Þráinn Bertelsson, is based on Guðrún's story of the same name. The film was Thráinn's first feature-length film and premiered on 26 December 1981. A memorial stone in honour of Björgvin Halldórsson, musician and artist of Hafnarfjörður, was laid at the end of 2019.