Happy Festival!

Ritstjórn
Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir at the opening of Culture Night on the steps of the National Theater.
Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir at the opening of Culture Night on the steps of the National Theater.

Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir officially opened Culture Night on the steps of the National Theater at 12:30pm today. Police Chief Bastian from Cardamom Town helped with the opening ceremony and played a starring role.

The ceremony marked two anniversaries: Reykjavík City turns 239 years old, and the National Theater celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Along with Mayor Heiða B. Hilmisdóttir, who opened Culture Night, Iceland's President Halla Tómasdóttir attended the ceremony, joined by Minister of Culture Logi Einarsson and National Theater Director Magnús Geir Þórðarson.

Many people attended the opening of Culture Night at the National Theater today.
Fjöldi fólks var viðstatt setningu Menningarnætur við Þjóðleikhúsið í dag.

In her speech, the mayor said there would be an anniversary celebration where music, singing, dance and diverse culture would take center stage. Culture Night is a family-friendly festival where families come together in the city center. The mayor also announced that at the end of the Culture Night program, there would be a minute of silence to remember Bryndís Klara Birgisdóttir, and the fireworks display would be dedicated to her and all young people who have experienced violence.

Opening of Culture Night - National Theater
Logi Einarsson, menningarmálaráðherra, afhendir Magnúsi Geir Þórðarsýni, þjóðleikhússtjóra gjöf frá ríkisstjórninni. F.v.Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, borgarstjóri, forseti Íslands, Halla Tómasdóttir, Björn Skúlason, eiginmaður forseta Íslands, Halldór Guðmundsson, formaður leikhúsráðs og Bastían bæjarfógeti.

Minister of Culture Logi Einarsson delivered a speech and presented the National Theater with a generous gift: a new addition to the National Theater that will seat 250 to 300 people.

Friends Mortimer (Lilli klifurmús) and Police Chief Bastian.
Félagarnir Lilli klifurmús og Bastían bæjarfógeti, voru lukkulegir í afmælisveislu Þjóðleikhússins.

After the ceremony, the National Theatre's birthday celebration began with famous characters from the most popular plays in history entertaining attendees, including Pippi Longstocking, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, Mikki the fox and Mortimer (Lilli klifurmús) from Cardamom Town, and others.

Participants in the Reykjavík Marathon cross the finish line.
Þátttakendur í Reykjavíkurmaraþoni koma í mark.

The Íslandsbanki Marathon, which started at 8:30am, is now in its final stretch and will finish around 3pm.

There are 400 events coming up throughout the city center where everyone should find something they enjoy. It's the perfect day to go with the flow and enjoy the Culture Night program.

The program is available at culturenight.is