Björgvin, Artist in Residence of Hafnarfjörður
“Now I've finally made it.”
The 2018 Artist of the Year for Hafnarfjörður is Björgvin Halldórsson, a singer and living legend, who was honoured with the title at Hafnarborg earlier today. The award was presented to him by Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Chair of the Municipal Council, and the ceremony was part of the Björtir Dagar festival, which was launched in Hafnarfjörður this morning. “Now I've finally made it,” said the popular singer as he accepted the title, thanking his fellow musicians, the town council, and others who were involved in the heartfelt nomination. He said he was humbled and grateful, and was touched that his peers had honoured him with such a title. He then said he had travelled widely and had allowed himself to live for a short while elsewhere than in Hafnarfjörður, but that no town could hold a candle to Hafnarfjörður, earning a great round of applause from the guests in attendance.
Björgvin has received a great many accolades and titles over the years. For example, he has held the title of Pop Star of the Year since 1969. He has also been awarded an honorary prize at the Icelandic Music Awards and is a Knight of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon. And in 2018, he was awarded the title of Artist of the City of Hafnarfjörður.
Björgvin Halldórsson was born in Hafnarfjörður on 16 April 195 and began his career with the Hafnarfjörður band Bendix, after which a veritable adventure followed with bands such as Flowers, Ævintýri, Brimkló, Changes, the HLH Party and more. Björgvin was voted Pop Star of the Year in 1969 – the only person to have received that title. Throughout his career, Björgvin has dabbled in pop, rock, country, ballad singing and Eurovision – not to mention the Christmas songs. There is a song from his repertoire for every occasion. Björgvin is a singer, songwriter, record producer and record label producer. He has recorded hundreds of songs during a career that now spans half a century. In addition, he is a living legend, perhaps not least for his witty remarks on people and affairs.
Those who have received the title of Artist of the Year in Hafnarfjörður over the years are:
2005 Sigrún Guðjónsdóttir, Rúna, visual artist
2006 Elín Ósk Óskarsdóttir, singer
2007 Jónína Guðnadóttir, visual artist
2008 Sigurður Sigurjónsson, actor
2009 Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir, singer
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2014 Andrés Þór Gunnlaugsson, musician
2017 Steingrímur Eyfjörð, visual artist
No City Artists were appointed between 2009 and 2013.