Tomorrow, June 17, Icelanders celebrate their National Day. The City of Reykjavík has issued a press release, detailing scheduled events throughout the city. Festivities begin in Reykjavík at 10 am and conclude at 6 pm. They include family events, music, parades, happenings, exhibits and more.
The program begins with a service in Dómkirkja church, which will be aired on radio. After that, several choirs will sing in Austurvöllur square, the Svanur brass band will play, followed by the address of the traditional fjallkona, or the lady of the mountain, a woman dressed in the national costume, who serves a national symbol.
Prime Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannson will then address the public, after which a parade will march from Austurvöllur square to the Suðurgata Cemetery, where President Ólafur Ragnar Grímson will lay a wreath at the grave of Jón Sigurðsson, the leader of the country’s independence movement, whose birthday was chosen as our national holiday.
Most festivities in the afternoon will take place in the vicinity of Reykjavík Pond. There will be family entertainment in yards and in the streets. There will be a circus performance, street theater, tents where refreshments are served, antique car shows, and much more.
At Harpa concert hall, several events are planned, including choir concerts and traditional Icelandic dance.
There will even be a chance to watch a sailing competition.
You can check out the whole program in Icelandic, English and Polish on 17juni.is.
