Friðrik Dór is the 2021 Artist of the City of Hafnarfjörður.

Friðrik Dór Jónsson, musician, singer, songwriter, television personality, author and family man from Hafnarfjörður, is the 2021 Artist of the City of Hafnarfjörður. From a young age, he has sung his way into the hearts and minds of Hafnarfjörður residents and enriched the town's cultural life with his performances, entertainment and events. The Artist of the Year receives 1.5 million in recognition to continue working on their art. It has become a tradition to celebrate the last day of winter in Hafnarfjörður by announcing the selection of the Artist of the Year.

He began his career with the Hafnarfjörður band Fendrix.

Friðrik Dór sang his way into the nation's hearts in 2009 when his first song, „Side by Side“, became a hit, and has released one hit after another ever since. He was voted Newcomer of the Year at the FM957 Listener Awards in 2010, and his album „Allt sem þú átt“ followed. With this album, Friðrik Dór changed the landscape of Icelandic music and established himself as one of the country's most popular musicians. He has now released three albums: Allt sem þú átt (2010), Mechanical (2012) and Says Nothing (2018), and Friðrik Dór is currently working on his fourth album, which is due for release this year. The first single from the forthcoming album, „Tell Me“, was released in January. Friðrik Dór began his career with the Hafnarfjörður band Fendrix, which he founded with his friends at Setbergsskóli when he was in the 8th grade. The band took part in Músíktilraunir in 2003 and reached the finals. At the time, Friðrik Dór played the drums, having studied at the Hafnarfjörður Music School in his younger years. Among Friðrik's well-known songs are 'Til í allt', 'Hringd'í mig', 'Fröken Reykjavík' and the song 'Í síðasta skipti', which Friðrik Dór performed in the 2015 Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins. Although he came second that year, he was part of the Icelandic delegation that took part in the Eurovision Song Contest's semi-final, and the song was extremely popular.

All out in the home town

Under the title „The Last Time“, Friðrik Dór celebrated his thirtieth birthday with two sold-out concerts at Kaplakriki in October 2018, which were intended to mark a certain turning point in his career. The concerts were a resounding success; Friðrik Dór was in top form on his home turf, and a packed Kaplakriki sang along loudly to all his biggest hits. Fortunately, the concerts were far from Friðrik Dór's last; for example, he and his brother Jón Jónsson have since joined forces for a major concert at Bæjarbíó in their home town, pulling out all the stops, both known for their great stage presence and immense joy. „Friðrik Dór is a versatile artist who began his artistic journey with friends in primary school and during his studies at the Hafnarfjörður Music School, to which he has remained deeply loyal and friendly ever since. He is a fantastic role model for our young people and has followed a path that many dream of following. A bundle of talent, a superb singer and a soulful songwriter with a heart that truly beats for Hafnarfjörður.“ says Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður. When selecting the town artist for Hafnarfjörður, the Cultural and Tourism Committee calls for nominations from residents, and annually receives a large number of them, as Hafnarfjörður has a vibrant cultural life that nurtures excellent artists.

Those who have received the title of Artist of the Year in Hafnarfjörður over the years are:

•  2020 – Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir, children's author and illustrator
• 2019 – Björk Jakobsdóttir, actress and director
• 2018 – Björgvin Halldórsson, musician
• 2017 – Steingrímur Eyfjörð, visual artist
• No town artists were appointed in 2015 and 2016.
• 2014 – Andrés Þór Gunnlaugsson, musician
• No town artists were appointed between 2010 and 2013.
• 2009 – Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir, singer
• 2008 – Sigurður Sigurjónsson, actor
• 2007 – Jónína Guðnadóttir, visual artist
• 2006 – Elín Ósk Óskarsdóttir, singer
• 2005 – Sigrún Guðjónsdóttir (Rúna), visual artist

We sincerely congratulate Friðrik Dór on the title and thank him for his sincere and beautiful contribution to the community in Hafnarfjörður from a young age.