The city of Reykjavík has made a deal with Vodafone, where they will pay for the full cost of a fireworks display for Cultural Night.
As previously reported, mayor Jón Gnarr has expressed the possibility that they would skip the fireworks display this year in order to save money. However, city councilman and chairman of the Cultural and Tourist Affairs committee Einar Örn Benediktsson (perhaps better known as a member of the Sugarcubes) vowed that he would fight to keep the fireworks in the event.
“Is it possible to have the fireworks show so that the Icelandic Rescue Team gets money? The answer is yes,” he said in part. “We will find a way to find someone to pay for the fireworks show.”
The way was found and announced yesterday, when Vodafone agreed to cover the costs.
The fireworks display for Cultural Night is traditionally paid for by Reykjavík Energy. With Vodafone paying for it this year, the fireworks display has been officially privatized.