Guided Tour: Icelandic Language Day [Icelandic]

Here, Words Can Be Clearly Understood: The Icelandic Language and National Identity

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On Icelandic Language Day, 16 November at 12:00, literary scholar Kristján Hannesson will guide visitors through the exhibitions of the National Museum of Iceland, exploring objects that shed light on the history of the Icelandic language from the settlement of Iceland to the present day. We will focus particularly on how the Icelandic language and literature developed in close connection with religion, printing and European cultural movements.

During the Viking Age, people deciphered the obscure ancient words of skaldic poetry. They danced forbidden circle dances and sang revolutionary hymns during the Reformation. In the Age of Enlightenment, they listened intently to rímur (traditional Icelandic narrative poems), and later, they learned from and lived alongside the poetry of Jónas Hallgrímsson.

Using these historical milestones as our guide, we will explore the complex challenges and achievements that have shaped both the Icelandic language and Icelandic national identity.

Please note that the tour will be in Icelandic.

A museum admission ticket includes access to the event. Please note that every admission ticket also serves as an annual pass, providing access to all exhibitions and events organised by the museum for one year from the date of purchase. Admission to exhibitions and events is free for children under 18.

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