August 29 will mark 150 years since Akureyri in north Iceland, the largest settlement outside the capital region, received its municipal rights. The anniversary will be celebrated with various events throughout the year, peaking at the end of August.
From Akureyri. Archive photo by Páll Stefánsson.
“We placed special emphasis on the participation of as many residents as possible in the preparation for the anniversary year so that everyone can contribute to making it memorable,” the project’s manager Sigríður Stefánsdóttir told Morgunblaðið.
Sigríður said originally one main event was supposed to be organized in each month of 2012 but early on in the planning it turned out that that wouldn’t be possible, “because there will be many more high points!”
The program was presented at the Akureyri Museum, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, on Tuesday.
The program includes the annual winter sports festival Éljagangur (February 9-12), a harvest festival for schools and senior citizens’ social centers in May and Danish Sundays in the oldest part of town in July—Danish was once spoken in Akukreyri on Sundays.
Everyone is welcome to send cards to commemorate the anniversary of Akureyri addressed to the local library Amtsbókasafnið, Brekkugata 17, 600 Akureyri, Iceland, all of which will be put on display.
A special anniversary week kicks off on August 24 concluding with a grand town festival one week later.
Click here for further information on Akureyri and here to read the program (in Icelandic).
ESA
