Awarded 12 cultural grants and 6 housing grants

The cultural city of Hafnarfjörður strengthened

Twelve received cultural grants at the City of Hafnarfjörður's cultural festival, which was held in the middle of last week. The festival began with guests remembering the singer Björgvin Halldórsson, who passed away on 9 April. The festival, which was scheduled to take place on that day, was postponed out of respect for his memory.

„We are immensely proud of his life's work and the pearls he leaves behind in the history of Icelandic music. The void he leaves in our town is enormous, and we will always remember him with great gratitude and warmth,“ said Guðbjörg Oddný Jónasdóttir, chair of the Culture and Tourism Committee, in her speech before the presentation.

Priority to strengthening cultural and artistic life

Guðbjörg Oddný spoke about how the cultural and tourism committee has made it an absolute priority to boost the town's cultural and artistic life. „We are letting our actions speak,“ she said, explaining how both the Hafnarfjörður Band and Rimmugýgi have now been secured funding agreements for the coming years.

„And recently, we established a new and long-awaited Choir Fund to support the fantastic choral work that is a hallmark of Hafnarfjörður.“

Cultural Grants Allocation 2026

The funding for the cultural grants has increased in recent years. „After all, we can see exactly what a huge return this has on the vibrant and enjoyable character of the town,“ said Gudbjörg. „Today, we have the great pleasure of funding nine exciting projects and announcing three new three-year partnership agreements.

The recipients of the first cultural grant allocation for 2026 are:

• Sigtýr Ægir Kárason – Villingar Nomadic Arts Workshop, 250,000 kr.
• Helena Jónsdóttir – Physical Cinema projection, 300,000 kr.
• Erlendur Sveinsson – INSPIRATION: The meeting of art and faith in Krýsuvík, ISK 1,000,000.
• Logi Guðmundsson – Happiness Festival in Hellisgerði on the Summer Solstice, 200,000 kr.
• Kristmundur Guðmundsson – Áegi Music III, concert at Áegi, 200,000 kr.
• Brynja Björk Hinriksdóttir – Garnival, 400,000 kr.
• Steinar Björgvinsson – Life in the Forest, 250,000 kr.
• Sigga Eydís Gísladóttir – HFJ Tattoo Expo, 500,000 kr.
• Sveinn Guðmundsson – Melodica Festival, 200,000 kr.

The committee also approved three new partnership agreements for the next three years (2026-2028), in addition to the strong agreements already made with HEIMA and the Hafnarborg Song Festival. The new agreements are awarded to:

• Ingunn Fjóla Ingþórsdóttir – Multicultural 17th of June celebration, 350,000 kr. per year.
• Elvar Gunnarsson – LG // Litla Gallerý, 1,200,000 kr. per year.
• Andrés Þór Gunnlaugsson – Afternoon Tones in Hafnarborg, 900,000 kr. per year.

Also allocated from the Housing Preservation Fund

On this day, grants were also awarded from the 2026 House Preservation Fund. „Hafnarfjörður has a unique soul, and a large part of that soul lies in our old houses. Two years ago, we revived the Hafnarfjörður House Preservation Fund to support dedicated owners in preserving this architectural heritage. It is our committee that awards the grants, following a professional report from the Town's Heritage Officer,“ explained Guðbjörg Oddný.

Two million krónur were allocated to six houses which all share the common goal of enhancing our town's appearance.

• Dagbjört Reginsdóttir – Suðurgata 27 (400,000 kr.)
• Sigurgrímur Skúlason – Skúlaskeið 3 (250,000 kr.)
• Elisabet Petursdottir – Hellisgata 19 (350,000 kr.)
• Anna Guðný Möller – Vesturbraut 3 (600,000 kr.)
• Sölvi Steinn Sigurðsson – Strandgata 19A (150,000 kr.)
• Thóra Breiðfjörð Sigurgeirsdóttir – Brekkugata 11 (250,000 kr.)

A huge congratulations to you all, and thank you for making Hafnarfjörður a better and more enjoyable place!