80 – 90,000 people participated in the Reykjavík Culture Night on Saturday. The full-day program offered concerts, art shows, dances, and other events through out the city. The streets were full and restaurants packed.
Geir Jón Thórisson, chief inspector at the Reykjavík Police, told the Icelandic Broadcasting Service, RÚV, that on the whole the Culture Night had gone smoothly but the participation was down from last year. Last year over 100,000 people participated.
The highlight of the program was a Radio Station 2 (Rás 2) concert by the harbor. The program came to a close with a firework display at 11 PM.
After the Culture Night ended, an “uncultured” night began, according to police officer Haukur Ásmundarsson. At 1 AM an 18 year old man was stabbed in the center of the city, many people were drunk, and the festivities turned into fights and brawls.
50 police officers were on call in downtown Reykjavík including enforcement from Snæfellsnes, Búdardal og Akranes.
The night clubs were open late and police were called out to three clubs which were still open at 7 AM. Lines for taxis were long and the last guests left the city party around half past seven Sunday morning.
