More People Visited Hafnarborg. Numerous Events Ahead

Hafnarborg in the heart of the town center

Visitor numbers at Hafnarborg, the cultural and art center of Hafnarfjörður, increased by 14% between the years 2024 and 2025. Ten new exhibitions opened during the year. Seventy advertised events were held, including 20 larger concerts.

Aldís Arnardóttir, director of Hafnarborg, says that 2025 was an excellent year. “Very diverse exhibitions and events.”

Landnám at Hafnarborg

She says that the exhibition Landnám by Pétur Thomsen was among the highlights of the year. It was on display at Hafnarborg from November 2024 to February 2025. Pétur, for example, received the Visual Artist of the Year award at the Icelandic Visual Arts Awards 2025 for the exhibition.

“It is difficult to choose between exhibitions, but it was especially gratifying to follow Pétur’s exhibition and see the outcome. And with all due respect to the others, I would also like to mention the Song Festival in Hafnarborg.”

The program of the Song Festival was magnificent. “Eight concerts were on the program over a two-week period in addition to courses. There is always life and excitement here when the Song Festival is underway. It was held in June last year and will be again at the same time next summer. I encourage everyone not to miss it. This is an ambitious vocal program and many of our finest musicians perform.”

Home of Hafnarfjörður’s artworks

Valdimar Víðisson, mayor, reviews the year at Hafnarborg on his Facebook page and says that the people of Hafnarfjörður are extremely proud of Hafnarborg, which was founded in 1983. From the outset, Hafnarborg became the home of the Hafnarfjörður municipal art collection.

“The couple Ingibjörg Sigurjónsdóttir, a pharmacist, and Sverrir Magnússon, a druggist, donated the building to the town along with a substantial collection of artworks and books,” he says there. “Hafnarborg owns around 1,600 artworks. During the year, new works were added to the collection, among others by Pétur Thomsen, Arngrunn Ýr, Guðrún Bergsdóttir and Eggert Pétursson.”

Much on the agenda this year

Aldís says that numerous events and exhibitions will take place at Hafnarborg this year. “The program will continue to be very diverse, both in terms of exhibitions and publications. We always keep different emphases in mind between exhibitions so that everyone can find something to their liking.” She is particularly excited about the autumn exhibition.

“The working title is Spássían. The perspective is new and I look forward to seeing how it turns out. I am also excited about the November exhibition. In recent years we have, among other things, focused on visual artists who have already gained a foothold but are young and on a good trajectory. This year it is Styrmir Örn Guðmundsson who will have a solo exhibition in the main hall,” says Aldís. “The same can be said of the upcoming exhibition by visual artists Lukas Bury and Weronika Balcerak, which opens in the museum in early March.”

“With different exhibitions we attract different visitors into the building. Yes, diversity is paying off,” says Aldís, adding that the year 2026 will lead to many exciting things.

An exciting year ahead

“I look forward to seeing the library in a new location. The town center has already picked up now that Fjörður has expanded. It is lively here in the heart of Hafnarfjörður and that is reflected in our attendance,” she says.

“Attendance was especially high in November and December. Eggert Pétursson’s exhibition Roði has strong appeal and runs until March 1. Then the Christmas Village also had an impact. It affected us directly and we saw a significant increase in visitors on weekends.”

Aldís echoes Valdimar’s words, encouraging everyone to take the time to enjoy all that Hafnarborg has to offer. He says: “Excellent staff work there and give you a very warm welcome.” She says: “We hope that a visit to us is always enjoyable and well worth it!”

Do not miss the guided tour of the exhibition Roði on January 18th