After a couple of years with no celebrations, thanks to the Covid pandemic, the Seamen’s Day festival is set to return to Reykjavík this year, and preparations are already in progress.
This is an annual event that takes place in practically every coastal community in Iceland, traditionally held on the first weekend in June, although the 2022 Seamen’s Day is pushed back a week to avoid clashing with Whitsun, and will therefore is planned for Sunday 12th June.
The Seamen’s Day celebrations in Reykjavík tend to be the most extensive with tens of thousands of people making their way to Reykjavík harbour to watch a variety of events, games and exhibits, and to hear the speeches and presentations.
More than 40,000 people took the opportunity to visit Reykjavík’s Grandi district during the last Seamen’s Day in 2019.
The city’s Seamen’s Day is run by a committee which has the primary role of running services for the elderly, and supported by Faxafloi Ports and fishing company Brim, and the day has in recent years been presented as part of the larger two-day Festival of the Sea that spans a whole weekend – although this year it’ll be back to a one-day event.
‘Our connection with the sea is central to the identity of Icelanders and our aim is to strengthen that link through games, arts, education and enjoyment,’ said Anna Björk Árnadóttur of event organiser Eventum.
‘It’s my personal goal to make this an unforgettable day and all of us involved will do our best to make this a reality.’
