Your own home festival on 17th June

Iceland's National Day, 17th June, is being celebrated in an unconventional way across the country this year due to the current situation in society. The programme was almost fully formed when COVID-19 struck in March, and the organising committee in Hafnarfjörður had to closely monitor the guidance from the civil defence authorities and adapt this annual celebration to the restrictions on public gatherings. However, various unexpected entertainments and acts of encouragement will be taking place, such as „Listening to the Sound“ and „Gardening in the Garden“, and residents are, among other things, encouraged to get together in their neighbourhoods and create their own festival, invite guests over and enjoy everything their local area, the town and the surrounding countryside have to offer.

The local newspaper Hafnfirðingur spoke with Sunna Magnúsdóttir, project manager for this year's 17th of June celebrations. 

^{Residents are encouraged to fly the flag in their own way, whether in a flagpole, a window, a flowerpot or wherever they can think of. Photo/OBÞ}

The day before the national holiday, or 16th June, will be „stolen a start“ with a drive-in cinema at Ásvallalaug, where two films will be shown on giant screens. The films will be „Hell in Paradise“ at 18:00 and 'All Clear' at 20:00. At the same time, Reykjavík Streetfood will be at Ásvellir with ten food trucks. 'The 17th of June itself will then begin in the usual way, with the flag being raised at key locations around the town. We encourage residents of Hafnarfjörður to fly the flag as well and/or put a flag out in the window, in a flowerpot on the patio or in the driveway. It may be possible to encourage a flag count, like the teddy bear count which was so successful this spring.“ says Sunna.

^{Various festive highlights from 17th June, brought together in one picture. Photo/ÓMS}

Who will be the hostess at your house party?

Due to the gathering restrictions, regular features such as the Poet Laureate and others will not be taking to the stage at Thorsplan to present poetry, drama and song. Sunna says that instead of the festive variations, the concepts „Grilled in the Garden' and 'Listening to the Sound' will be used.„Grilled in the Garden is about encouraging residents of Hafnarfjörður to come together in their gardens, on their patios and in their neighbourhoods to hold smaller celebrations and rejoice together. The „Listen to the Sound“ event will be twofold; on the one hand, the Ice Van will drive along most of the town's streets, giving out ice cream to children. On the other hand, there will be the “Hafnarfjörður Train', similar to the Coke Train, a car that will drive around town playing appropriate festive music.“ Residents will also be encouraged to make use of the communal gathering areas at Hvaleyrarvatn, in Hellisgerði, on Víðistaðatún and Thorsplan as they see fit. „There will be hot grills all day in Víðistaðatún and by Hvaleyrarvatn, where people can come and have a barbecue.“

^{The natural gem of Hvaleyrarvatn is popular for relaxing and paddling. Photo/OBÞ}

Unexpected unscheduled and unspecified incidents

The traditional 17th of June programme in Hafnarfjörður was all but ready when COVID-19 struck. „We had to adapt and keep in step with the easing of the lockdown. We started holding meetings in January, but then everything changed.“ says Sunna. Some unexpected happenings can be expected around the town in addition, but they will not be scheduled or located in advance. All cultural centres will also be open, as will the swimming pools, which is unusual on this day. The Hafnarfjörður Band will also be making an appearance in the town. „There are very creative and fun people in Hafnarfjörður, and I know that together we can make this day memorable in a unique and diverse way. It will be a sort of national day in the back garden here in Hafnarfjörður, and we are very much looking forward to it.“ Sunna says at last.

An interview with Sunna was published in Hafnfirðinginn on 15 June 2020.

See the „programme“ and encouragement on National Day 2020