Lighting of the Imagine Peace Tower in Viðey

Ritstjórn
Róbert Reynisson
Lighting of the Imagine Peace Tower in Viðey. A crowd gathers at the tower after dark.

The Imagine Peace Tower in Viðey will be lit for the 19th time on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 8pm. The island will host a peaceful ceremony with musical performances by Una Torfadóttir and remarks from the mayor, in addition to guided walking tours. The artist Yoko Ono offers free trips to Viðey, departing from Skarfabakki at 5:30pm.

Imagine Peace Tower

The Imagine Peace Tower is an outdoor artwork by Yoko Ono, erected in Viðey in 2007. The artwork is a strong landmark in the city and a necessary reminder to uphold ideals of peace, especially now with wars raging worldwide. Yoko Ono created the Imagine Peace Tower to carry forward the message of peace that she and her husband John Lennon championed. She dedicated the work to him, and it shines from his birthday on Oct. 9 until the anniversary of his death on Dec. 8.

The tower's beam of light, which illuminates the evening sky, emanates from a wishing well engraved with the words "imagine peace" in 24 languages, referencing John Lennon's song "Imagine." Like many of Yoko Ono's artworks, this piece isn't just tied to one place and time but connects to another work by the artist: "Wish Trees" found worldwide. This participatory artwork invites people to write down their wishes for peace and prosperity and hang them on the trees. The wishes are collected and preserved in the Imagine Peace Tower. Nearly one million wishes from people around the world lie beneath the Imagine Peace Tower.

Yoko Ono (born 1933) is a leading visual artist in experimental and avant-garde art. She is closely associated with art movements that emerged in the 1960s, including conceptual art, performance art, Fluxus and event art, and is one of the few women who actively participated in them. Many of Yoko Ono's most famous works are participatory artworks where she invites the public to help create the art, with Wish Trees being a prime example.

Sailing and public transport

On October 9, Yoko Ono offers free sailings to Viðey, where the tower lighting begins 9:30pm. Boats will depart from Skarfabakki at 5:30pm, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, and 7:30pm, and returning as needed. Tickets will be limited to five per booking, with a total of 1,200 available. More information is available on Elding's website.

Free city bus rides will run from Reykjavík City Hall to Skarfabakki. The first bus leaves City Hall at 5:30pm, running until 7pm.

The first ferry after lighting the Imagine Peace Tower sails from Viðey at 8:30pm. City buses will be available from Skarfabakki to City Hall starting at 8:40pm. and continuing until all guests have been transported from Viðey.

Pre-ceremony schedule:

  • 5:45pm: Reykjavík Art Museum guided walk of Richard Serra and Yoko Ono's works
  • 6pm: Reykjavík City Museum historical walk.
  • 6:45pm: Reykjavík Art Museum guided walk of Richard Serra and Yoko Ono's works.
  • 7pm: Reykjavík City Museum historical walk.

Imagine Peace Tower lighting:

  • 7:45pm. Una Torfadóttir performs music at the Imagine Peace Tower
  • 7:58pm Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir delivers remarks
  • 8pm: Imagine Peace Tower lit to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Imagine

Refreshments will be available for purchase at Viðey House.

More information can be found on the Reykjavík Art Museum and City Museum websites 

The Imagine Peace Tower in Viðey, likely viewed from Skarfabakki or Sæbraut. The tower is seen at dusk, with Mt. Esja in the background.