The news that there will be police officers with loaded guns overseeing Independence Day celebrations in Reykjavík has a lot of Icelanders decidedly angry, especially as research has repeatedly demonstrated that guns don’t actually make any place a safer place to be. So if you want to celebrate Iceland’s independence this Saturday, but don’t want to do so under the watchful eye of men with guns, you might be pleased to learn there are plenty of festivities outside of Reykjavík.
Below is a list of some of the municipalities in the capital area and around the country having their own June 17 celebrations, as well as when and where festivities begin. These festivities all include a parade, marching bands, musical guests, and fun activities for kids:
Kópavogur: Starts at 13:30 at the secondary school Menntaskólann í Kópavog. Or you can opt for 11:00 at Gerðuberg.
Garðabær: Starts at 10:00 at Brekkuskógur 1.
Hafnarfjörður: Starts at 13:30 at Thorsplan.
Mosfellsbær: Starts at 13:45 at Miðbæjartorg.
Around the country:
Akureyri: Starts at 13:00 at the Akureyri Botanical Garden.
Egilsstaðir: Starts at 10:00 with a boxcar race at Egilsstaðaskóli, with the parade starting at 13:30 at Egilsstaðakirkja church.
Vík: Starts at 13:00 at the sports hall.
Westfjords: Starts at 14:15 in Hrafnseyri, but there will be buses from Ísafjörður University at 11:30.
If you can’t or won’t leave Reykjavík, but want to voice your disapproval for the police unilaterally arming themselves without the approval of parliament, there will be a protest demonstration at Austurvöllur at 11:05 called, appropriately enough, “Fokk The Glock 17”.
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