Lighting of the Imagine Peace Tower in Viðey - Imagine Peace
Imagine Peace Tower in Viðey will be lit for the 18th time on Wednesday, October 9 at 8pm. A peaceful ceremony will take place on the island. Valdimar Guðmundsson and Örn Eldjárn will perform music, and Mayor Einar Þorsteinsson will give a speech. Organized walks will be available. The artist Yoko Ono offers free trips to Viðey, departing from Skarfabakki at 5:30pm.
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 in memory of her late husband John Lennon and to emphasize the importance of the message of peace. The artwork shines from his birthday until his death anniversary on December 8.
The Imagine Peace Tower's beam of light, illuminating the evening sky, originates from a wishing well. The well is engraved with the words "imagine peace" in 24 languages, referencing John Lennon's song "Imagine". Many of Yoko Ono's famous works are participatory, inviting the public to take part in creating art. Among these is the "Wish Tree", found worldwide. People write down their wishes for peace and prosperity and hang them on the trees. The wishes are then collected and stored in the Imagine Peace Tower. Nearly a million wishes from people lie under the Imagine Peace Tower.
Comprehensive renovations have been made to the artwork, including technical equipment, stone paving, and the well. The Imagine Peace Tower will shine more intensely than before. Reykjavík City, Orkuveitan, and Yoko Ono joined forces for this development.
Sailing and public transport
On October 9, Yoko Ono offers free sailings to Viðey, where the tower lighting begins at 8pm. Boats will depart from Skarfabakki at 5:30pm, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, and 7:30pm, returning as needed. Tickets for the Viðey ferry must be reserved, limited to 5 people per booking, with 1,200 tickets available. For more information, visit Elding's website.
Free public transit rides will be available from Reykjavík City Hall, stopping at Harpa and then 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. Strætó public transport will be available from Skarfabakki to City Hall from 8:40pm 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: Valdimar Guðmundsson and Örn Eldjárn perform music at the Imagine Peace Tower.
7:58pm: Mayor Einar Þorsteinsson gives a speech.
8pm: Imagine Peace Tower lit to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Imagine".
Refreshments will be available for purchase at Viðey House.