Museum Night: An evening with Iðunn kvæðamannafélag (Folk Poetry Society)

For centuries, Icelanders have spent their evenings in the "baðstofa” with various forms of entertainment and education. While household members sat on the beds working on crafts, one of them would recite poetry, tell a story or read aloud from old or new publications to entertain the others.

Visitors of the National Museum are invited to step back in time to the 19th century, sit on a bench with a hand cardersor spindle in hand, and experience an evening vigil where members of Iðunn (Folk Poetry Society) will provide entertainment. The program begins with a poetry recital where young and old will be taught to recite a few verses that appeal to children. Then the program will be continuous and very diverse, as one thing follows another all the time, such as various kinds of poetry, rhymes and chants performed by poets, including children, a storyteller tells a story, verses and poems are read, music, singing, and a circle dance (víkivaki/story dancing).

Admission is free to the museum's events on Museum Night.