There has been talk that, as a money-saving measure, the fireworks display that is normally held on Cultural Night be cancelled. However, city councilman and chairman of the Cultural and Tourist Affairs committee Einar Örn Benediktsson (perhaps better known as a member of the Sugarcubes) intends to fight to keep the fireworks in.
Einar told Vísir that the fireworks display has, in the past, been sponsored by a private company – in this year’s case, Reykjavík Energy. If they don’t want to pay for it this year, he says, they will find another party to pay for it instead. Mayor Jón Gnarr, however, has expressed the possibility of not showing the fireworks at all this year.
Einar, waxing philosophical, added that he’s not sure if the fireworks display can be seen as an independent cultural event, or as a part of a cultural event.
“Is it possible to have the fireworks show so that the Icelandic Rescue Team gets money? The answer is yes,” he says in part. “We will find a way to find someone to pay for the fireworks show.”
Einar adds that another idea that came up was to have the Peace Tower at Víðey blink on and off, instead of having fireworks. “I’d then like to see it blink three long, two short, and three long,” he concludes, which is Morse code for “OIO”. Perhaps he meant three short, three long and three short?