Poetic rose garden opens on Freyjugata
Freyjugarður, located at Freyjugata 19, officially opened today. The garden offers a serene nature experience with a poetic touch.
Mayor Einar Þorsteinsson opened this delightful poets' oasis in the city. The name Freyjugarður refers to the garden's dedication to Icelandic women poets.
Works of five Icelandic women poets on display
The garden features five stands with ten poems by five living Icelandic women poets. UNESCO City of Literature Reykjavík enlisted writer Sigurbjörg Þrastardóttir as the first editor for the garden's poems. The selected poets are Alda Björk Valdimarsdóttir, Arndís Lóa Magnúsdóttir, Eva Rún Snorradóttir, Ragnheiður Harpa Leifsdóttir, and Þóra Jónsdóttir. The poets attended the opening, along with Þóra Jónsdóttir's daughters, Elín and Kirstín Flygenring, who represented their mother. Children from Laufásborg preschool made a surprise appearance and sang a song to the delight of attendees.
For those who didn't know they were poetry lovers
"The poems engage in a dialogue within the garden, but the main goal is for them to speak to those who pass by. The aim is to welcome both experienced poetry lovers and those who didn't know they appreciated poetry!
People of all ages from various backgrounds pass through, and hopefully, the lines will evoke emotions and ideas, perhaps inspiring some to read more, write on their own, or at least consider new aspects of everyday life," says Sigurbjörg about the garden's poems.
"The poets are of various ages and have shown dedication to poetry in their careers. This is a small slice of the growing legacy of Icelandic women, and it's wonderful to have a place in this lovely neighborhood where both language and plants bring life to the everyday," she adds.
Inspired by French design
The idea for Freyjugarður originated from designer Sigrún Úlfarsdóttir, who approached Reykjavík City in 2021 with a concept for a "women poets' garden" in an area on Freyjugata that was previously a playground later converted to a seating area with picnic tables. The concept revolved around a French-inspired rose garden, featuring signs with women's poetry.
The Department of Environment & Planning welcomed this idea and found it suitable for the garden on Freyjugata. The department implemented the idea and had the garden designed, with redesign handled by Landmótun and Liska. The garden has now come to life with roses planted and signs featuring the women's poems installed, designed by Elías Rúni. Additionally, a striking mural by Narfi Þorsteinsson is prominently featured in the garden.
Free book library on site
The garden also includes a free book library where visitors can leave or take books as needed or inspired. The free book library supports the idea of the garden being alive in the fullest sense of the word and is open to all, 24 hours a day.
There is potential for future rotation of poems on the stands, so visitors can expect to see more works by Icelandic women poets in Freyjugarður.
Welcome to Freyjugarður!