Photos: The Heart keeps growing
According to Páll Eyjólfsson, the festival’s director, 40,000 people attended Hjartað last year, and at least 60,000 are expected this year, which would be a record turnout. mbl.is/Egill Aaron
In Hafnarfjörður, the heart beats strong this summer. The town festival Hjarta Hafnarfjarðar (“The Heart of Hafnarfjörður”) has grown and flourished impressively — and it’s not just locals dancing to its rhythm.
Now in its ninth year, the festival has already attracted over 40,000 visitors during its first four weekends, with two more still to come.
According to Páll Eyjólfsson, the festival’s director, around 40,000 people attended last year, but this year they expect at least 60,000 — a record-breaking turnout.
“This has just gone unbelievably beautifully,” says
Eyjólfsson
.
“There’s some kind of magic happening here.”
mbl.is/Egill Aaron
Not Just for Locals
He says the festival is now starting to resemble the vision he had when it was launched in 2017. Back then, it lasted for just two days and drew about 500 people.
“What I’ve realized lately is that this is basically the only major open-access event in the capital area during summer. All the other town festivals are held outside the city, and people have started to catch on,” says Eyjólfsson , noting that it’s not only locals (nicknamed Gaflarar ) attending the event.
People from all over the capital region — and even from other parts of the country — are making the trip to Hafnarfjörður.
mbl.is/Egill Aaron
Inspired by Þjóðhátíð
Páll, a native of the Westman Islands, says he has attended Þjóðhátíð in Heimaey 35 times and that Hjartað was inspired by the joyful atmosphere of that festival.
“This is the vibe I’ve always been searching for — and I’ve finally found it here. It’s a space where everyone can enjoy themselves together with lots of music and fun.”
mbl.is/Egill Aaron
When asked, he says the festival has always run smoothly, with no serious incidents.
Security is a priority, with a robust surveillance camera system covering every corner of the festival grounds.
“There are a lot of preventive measures in place before anyone even thinks about doing something. Fortunately, we’ve never had any serious incidents here.”
The weekly program for Hjarta Hafnarfjarðar can be found on Facebook.
mbl.is/Egill Aaron
mbl.is/Egill Aaron
