On the island Viðey, just off the coast of Reykjavík, a memorial to Beatles’ singer John Lennon lights up the sky. The Imagine Peace Tower was gifted to the city by Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono on 9 October 2007, which would have been Lennon’s 67th birthday. Vísir reports that the memorial is undergoing repair to shine brighter than before.
Reminder of peace
The tower, whose name references Lennon’s 1971 song “Imagine”, is composed of 15 searchlights that create a vertical column of light up into the Reykjavík night sky. City councillor Skúli Helgason said that column is an important reminder of the idea of peace, especially in recent times of geopolitical strife.
“The inhabitants of Reykjavík, citizens, and tourists will see the Imagine Peace Tower shine even brighter and more solid than before so it becomes an even more impressive attraction in the city, but maybe even more importantly, a more powerful reminder of the message of peace,” Skúli said. “And we need that with the world being the way it is these days.”
Lower energy costs
The repairs will cost an estimated ISK 33 million [$240 thousand, €220 thousand] and will be financed by the three parties who set up the monument originally; the city of Reykjavík, Reykjavík Energy and Yoko Ono’s foundation. Skúli said he’d be surprised if people found this a waste of money for an art installation of this caliber. “These three parties will split the cost and with the new lighting equipment, the energy consumption will be lower, maintenance easier and the running costs will go down from what they are now, which is a good development,” he said.
The tower is lit every year from 9 October, Lennon’s birthday, through 8 December, the day he was assassinated, and then again during new year celebrations from 31 December to 6 January and for one week in the spring equinox. On the tower itself, the words “Imagine Peace” are written in 24 languages.
