Imagine Peace Tower lit

Ritstjórn
Imagine Peace Tower lit on Viðey on John Lennon's birthday

A large crowd gathered for the lighting of the Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey on Friday, Oct. 9. 

Dressing for the elements, guests braved the wind and rain to see the Imagine Peace Tower lit for the 20th time. All Elding ferry sailings to Viðey sold out. Visitors to Viðey enjoyed a history walk around the island and a guided tour of artworks by Richard Serra and Yoko Ono.

Art workshop and candle sales at Naustið on Viðey
Listasmiðja og kertasala í Naustinu í Viðey

Naustið hosted an art workshop, while guests enjoyed refreshments at Viðeyjarstofa.

Mayor Hildur Björnsdóttir addressed guests before the lighting
Hildur Björnsdóttir borgarstjóri ávarpaði gesti fyrir tendrunina

Singer Árný Margrét performed several songs, and Mayor Hildur Björnsdóttir addressed the crowd before the Imagine Peace Tower was lit as “Imagine” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono played.

Singer Árný Margrét performed several songs before the lighting.

The Imagine Peace Tower is an artwork by Yoko Ono. It was installed 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 Imagine Peace Tower lights up the sky over Viðey
Friðarsúlan lýsir upp himininn í Viðey

Wishing trees for peace

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 installation transcends a single time and place, connecting to another of her creations, “Wish Tree.” Found worldwide, Wish Trees are part of a participatory artwork inviting people to write down their wishes for peace and prosperity and hang them on the branches. 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. Wish Trees will be on display at Reykjavík City Hall, where visitors can hang their wishes.

The Imagine Peace Tower will light up the sky until Jan. 1, 2027.