Vigdís Jakobsdóttir concluded her role as the artistic director of the Reykjavík Arts Festival on 30 September, after eight successful years in the position.

Vigdís' guiding principle in her work was that art and culture should not be the privilege of the few but the right of all. These were certainly not empty words, as she let her actions speak for themselves. During her tenure, she led an important strategic direction for the festival, focusing on accessibility and environmental issues, inspiring her colleagues to work towards this vision. She constantly sought new ways to bring high-quality cultural events to as many people as possible and emphasized that the artists and events at the festival should reflect the diversity and beauty of society in all its forms.

Vigdís demonstrated ambition, courage, and creativity in her role. These qualities shone brightly during the 2020-2021 pandemic when the program for the 2020 Festival was extended over a year, and events were carried out as public health restrictions allowed. It drew significant attention when the festival announced that it would not be canceled, unlike many festivals and events at that time. Towards the end of 2020, ArtGifts were delivered to the public across the country, an initiative that brought joy to both the people and the artists, who had hardly been able to perform for months.

The board and executive director of Reykjavík Arts Festival thank Vigdís for her generous and successful collaboration and for showing ambition, courage, and warmth in her work. We wish her all the best in whatever she takes on next and express our gratitude for the valuable legacy she leaves behind at the festival.

Photograph of Vigdís Jakobsdóttir was taken by Golli for Heimildin.