Garden of Peace in Öskjuhlíð
Mayor Hildur Björnsdóttir and Jóhanna Vilhjálmsdóttir, chair of the Spirit of Humanity Forum, have signed a declaration of intent to create a Garden of Peace in Öskjuhlíð.
The idea for the project came from Francesco Serafini, who envisions Gardens of Peace in cities around the world, gradually forming an international network of living spaces dedicated to peace, unity and the connection between people and nature.
The gardens are intended as places where people can gather, pause, enjoy nature and reflect on what peace means — both in our own lives and in relations between nations and communities.
At the heart of the concept are 21 olive trees from 21 countries. Each tree is unique, but together they form a whole — a beautiful icon of diversity, unity and peace.
A place to enjoy nature and pause
The Garden of Peace will be created in a beautiful setting in Öskjuhlíð and will be open to everyone — a place to enjoy nature, spend time together and pause.
In Iceland, the idea has been adapted to local conditions, with 21 different lilac cultivars set to take the place of the olive trees. Lilacs and olive trees belong to the same plant family, so this choice preserves the connection to the original idea.
The project is a collaboration between the Spirit of Humanity Forum and Reykjavík City. Since its founding, the Spirit of Humanity Forum has emphasized the importance of nurturing our humanity, strengthening compassion and understanding, and deepening our connection with nature. In a sense, the Garden of Peace is a tangible manifestation of this vision.
