History and culture come to life in the swimming pools

On the occasion of Icelandic swimming pool culture being added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, the Hafnarfjörður Museum has set up new historical exhibitions in the town’s swimming pools.

A venue of equality

The exhibitions are located in all three swimming pools in Hafnarfjörður and highlight this significant recognition, the history of the pools, and the development of swimming pool culture in the town. Among other things, they emphasize how swimming pools have served as a venue of equality – where everyone is equal in their swimwear – and how the culture has evolved and lived on with each generation.

A living part of everyday life

Icelandic swimming pool culture is unique in that it is a living part of people’s daily lives: a place for exercise, togetherness, and conversation. In Hafnarfjörður, swimming pools have long played an important role in the community and are an inseparable part of residents’ lives. “It is greatly gratifying to see this important recognition reflected in such a vivid way in our own surroundings. The swimming pools are not only places for exercise but also a venue for community and conversation where different generations meet. With these exhibitions, the history is made visible and accessible to everyone,” says Heiðrún Eva Konráðsdóttir, specialist at the museum.

The aim of the exhibitions is to raise awareness of the cultural value of the swimming pools and highlight the unique tradition that Icelandic swimming pool culture represents – a tradition that continues to evolve and bring people together every day.

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