ICELAND’S capital Reykjavik will spend £6m on promotion in 2000 when it becomes a European Cultural Capital.
Money for the programme, has been donated by the City of Reykjavik, the Icelandic government, private sponsors, and European Union and Nordic funds.
About 250 events have been scheduled through the year under the categories earth, fire, air and water. The programme starts officially on January 29. However, an inaugural event, a concert by the Voices of Europe choir, will take place on December 31 1999 to celebrate the launch of the Cultural Capital in 2000.
The Iceland programme includes an exhibition, opening on April 1, on the country’s history from Viking times to the present day and a wind festival in early September. On August 18, there will be the premier of a new ballet, Baldur, by Icelandic composer Jon Leifs, while August 11-18 will see a Festival of Fire in Reykjavik.
Future Ice, an international fashion show, takes place August 11-13.
Full details of the Reykjavik programme can be found at www.reykjavik2000.ic.
Reykjavik Cultural Committee spokeswoman Svanhildur Konradsdottir said the city expects an 8%-12% increase in visitors as a result of the cultural programme.
“It will put Reykjavik on the map as far as culture is concerned,” she said.