The Viking Festival has never been more international

Vikings far and wide at the Viking Festival

„There have never been more tents in the area. Attendance was good. It was even higher than last year,“ says Jökull Tandri Ásmundason, jarl of Rimmugýgi, now that the Viking Festival in Hafnarfjörður has concluded. The Vikings are now taking down their camps and can't wait for the next festival.

„The first three days were brilliant. The 17th of June also held its own despite the rainy weather,“ he describes. Asked about the highlights, he says they have never had Vikings come from so far away, or from Australia. Never have Vikings from so many countries taken part. „It exceeded expectations,“ says Jökull.

Brotherhood among the Vikings

He confirms that the culture within the groups is similar. „There's a brotherhood between the groups, although Rimmugýgjur is probably the largest society in the world,“ he says, going on to explain how the groups„ focuses differ: handicrafts, combat or other activities related to Viking traditions. Rimmugýgur covers all the areas. “On top of that, we entertain tourists outside of the festival." The society therefore does not go dormant when the festival is over. Preparations for the following year are already underway.

„Yes, there's a great buzz for next year. We have other ideas for the tent village next year. We want to offer the Vikings the chance to put up their own units. Otherwise, we're very pleased with the ring we set up this year,“ he says, adding that they are also looking further ahead.

30th anniversary 2027

„We are also already looking ahead to 17 June 2027, as that will be the 30th anniversary of the festival. There were fifty combatants on the field at the peak this year. We are aiming to see 100 by 2027.“

Vikings – Thank you so much for enriching life in Hafnarfjörður.