Björk nominated as honorary citizen of Reykjavík

The city council of Reykjavík approved the nomination of the artist Björk Gudmundsdóttir as honorary citizen of the city of Reykjavík. Björk is the seventh Reykjavik resident to receive this honor and the artist Gabríela Friðriksdóttir will make Björk’s statue.

This is what the city’s website says about Björk.

It says that Björk is a world-class musician and unique in her own right.

“She has been a prominent figure in the Icelandic and international arts and cultural life for four decades, as a singer, composer, record publisher and actress, but also an entrepreneur and an activist in various fields. She is the Icelandic artist who has achieved the greatest fame outside of Iceland, but she is not only known for her talent and art, but also a unique personality that shines through all her work. Few if any have lifted the name of Reykjavik more than Björk,” the announcement reads.

It was agreed that instead of a traditional ceremony, like when honorary citizens are named, the artist Gabríela Friðriksdóttir would be hired to make a Björk statue.

“Gabriela will work on the project and make a cost estimate and a proposal for a location in agreement with the Reykjavík Art Museum. The location will be decided by the Environment and Planning Council and the Culture and Sports Council in accordance with the conventions on art in public space. A timetable and budget will be submitted to the city council when it is ready,” the announcement reads.

Other honorary citizens of Reykjavík:

Reverend Bjarni Jónsson (1961)

Kristján Sveinsson, ophthalmologist (1975)

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir president(2010)

Erró, artist (Guðmundur Guðmundsson, 2012)

Yoko Ono, artist (2013)

Friðrik Ólafsson, Grand master in chess (2015)

Þorgerður Ingólfsdóttir, music teacher and choir director (2018).