June 17th in Pictures
Thousands of people took part in festivities all over the country yesterday, on the National Day of Iceland, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Iceland.
The weather was exceptionally good in most parts of the country – sunshine and warm temperatures. Many guests were dressed in Icelandic national costumes, others took out their shorts or summer dresses.
Cafés were crowded, and people enjoyed refreshments outdoors – something the weather gods don’t allow every day of the Icelandic summer.
There was music in the air and dancing in the streets – by all measures a great celebration.
For more background information and history, please see our previous article on the National Day of Iceland.
The birthday cake in downtown Reykjavík was 75-m long, served by women wearing the national costume. mbl.is/Kristinn Magnússon
On Austuvöllur square, a wreath was placed by the statue of Jón Sigurðsson, who led the campaign for independence from Denmark. Kristinn Magnússon