The speech of the Valkyrie and Women's Rights Day, 19 June

Björk Níelsdóttir is the 2024 Mountain Queen of Hafnarfjörður.

Björk Níelsdóttir is the 2024 Mountain Muse of Hafnarfjörður. Björk is a versatile artist, singer and composer who began learning the trumpet at an early age under Einar Jónsson at the Hafnarfjörður Music School and has not looked back since. Björk has made her mark on the art scene both at home and abroad with her artistry and talents. Björk wrote the poem herself, which she performed to a large crowd in Thorsplan on 17 June – the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Iceland.

It is fitting to publish the poem of the 2024 Poet Laureate of Hafnarfjörður on Women's Rights Day itself, 19 June. It was on 19 June 1915 that women in Iceland, aged 40 and over, were granted the right to vote and stand for election to the Althingi. The day has since been an occasion for celebrations and festivities in honour of the struggle waged for greater rights and independence for women, a struggle that began in 1885. The age restriction was subsequently removed from the law by the 1918 Treaty of Union between Denmark and Iceland, thereby granting women equal voting rights to men.

Thank you, Björk, for your contribution! 

May I hear you sing?
and tell your story?

We walk together carefully
short step
one by one

past the blue arch
small pond
green meadow
and strange flower-stand

Will you take me home?

past the rose path
Scents of aspen in Hellisgerði
Dog shit on Hverfisgata
and my old red house

Will you take me home?

past a green church
We are walking up to the Hill.
and watch a boat on the calm sea.

Will you take me home?

You breathe in sea air.
and I kiss you
with salt on their lips
The summer night is in its Sunday best.

I'll take you home