The Art of Flight: Icelandair and residents of Midvang receive recognition

Beauty Pageant 2026 presented in fine weather

A knock, a knock, and a very short wait. Bryndís Gestsdóttir, a resident of Miðvangur 100, opens the door to welcome representatives from the Hafnarfjörður City judging panel for the 2026 Tidy Town competition. It is clear that her house stands on the street that impressed this year's judging panel. The residents of the detached houses at Miðvang 98–118 received this recognition for their tidy gardens and beautiful street scene.

„Yes, this part of the street is exemplary. The gardens are open so that more than the owners can enjoy them, a very varied colour scheme but at the same time great simplicity,“ says Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir, horticultural manager for the City of Hafnarfjörður.

Bryndís describes how the couple made it a point to keep the garden as open as possible. „We had so many little grandchildren when we moved here, and we thought: how can we keep the garden enclosed without a fence, but with plants so they can't get out? And at the same time, make sure it isn't too high.“Hildur Rós, Bryndís and Ingibjörg.

The couple transformed the garden when they moved into the house almost fifteen years ago. It had an effect. The owners of each house, one after another, did their own. These neighbours also help each other to keep the pavement and the strip of grass alongside it well-tended. Yes, the street scene is exemplary.

Icelandair with a remarkable plot of land

Icelandair received an award for An exceptionally tidy business plot at Flugvöllar 1. The Environment and Operations Committee thanks the company with the award for its contribution to the beautification of the town. Bogi Nils Bogason, CEO of Icelandair, accepted the award along with his team.

The judging panel writes: „The site and the company's surroundings are exemplary and clearly demonstrate how a tidy and well-maintained operational area can have a positive impact on the appearance of the local environment.“Icelandair headquarters.

Icelandair, as well as the residents of Miðvangur, also received a gift voucher from the City of Hafnarfjörður for the 2026 Beautification Project. They will receive a plant of their choice from the nursery Þöll on Kaldárselsveg.

Beauty and the Past on the Middle Terrace

And let's return to the residential street, Miðvangur. One resident after another receives the award. One of the longest-standing residents, the couple Sverrir and Margrét, built their house at 112 Miðvangur between 1972 and 1975. They are standing in the garden when the judging panel arrives.

„We've always thought about the garden and the house,“ says Sverrir. It was a few years ago that they transformed it. „Yes, eighteen tonnes of soil went down here.“ He says it's important to keep the garden simple so that it's easy to look after.

Sverrir and Margrét, natives of Miðvanginn.Garden manager Ingibjörg agrees. „Look, simple is often just the best,“ she says. The gardens have the common theme of being well-kept and lush, yet at the same time open to the street. The greenery is used to define the plots without enclosing them, creating a warm and beautiful whole for passers-by to enjoy.

A contribution that beautifies Hafnarfjörður

Hildur Rós Guðbjargardóttir, Chair of the Environment and Operations Committee and a town councillor, presented the awards together with Ingibjörg Sigurðardóttir, Horticultural Manager for the City of Hafnarfjörður.

„Yes, it's obviously a good place to live here in Miðvang,“ she says. „I wish the residents and Icelandair congratulations and thank them for beautifying our Hafnarfjörður.“

The aim of the Tidy Town Award is to highlight the people, businesses and others who contribute to making Hafnarfjörður more beautiful and tidy. This summer, residents and other interested parties were specifically asked for suggestions, and it was noted that contributions can take many forms; after all, many small things make one big thing.

Yes, our fjord is beautiful.