Yoko will be paying her annual visit to Iceland this October, to signal the illumination of Imagine Peace Tower in memory of John Lennon on Monday 9th October – his birthday. The illumination will be at 9 pm.
Located on the Icelandic island of Videy, Imagine Peace Tower is an outdoor work of art conceived by Yoko. It was dedicated to John by Yoko at its unveiling on October 9th 2007, John Lennon’s 67th birthday. Each year since then Yoko has travelled to Iceland to illuminate the vast tower of light – and it remains lit from 9th October until the day of Lennon’s death, December 8th.
Yoko Ono says: “Iceland is such a spiritual place – I always feel such a strong energy when I return there. Love, peace, understanding and the power of nature are easy to forget in today’s fast-paced modern life. In Iceland, particularly on Viðey, it becomes easier to remember how important these things are to us all and to the planet. John would have loved it.”
Programme at the Illumination in Viðey Island:
Ferry ride and City Bus
Yoko Ono invites everyone to sail free to Viðey Island for the ceremony of the illumination of the Imagine Peace Tower with the Viðey Island Ferry.
5:45 pm – 8:10 pm: The City Bus rides from Hlemmur bus terminal to Skarfabakki pier every 20 minutes. The City Bus is free of charge from Hlemmur bus terminal to Skarfabakki pier and back again.
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm: The ferry rides from Skarfabakki pier to Viðey Island.
9:45 pm – completion of emptying the island: After the ceremony the ferry rides from Viðey Island to Skarfabakki pier until the island has been evacuated.
The City Bus will run to Hlemmur bus terminal from Skarfabakki pier until the last ferry ride has arrived.
Programme
The programme starts at Viðeyjarnaust near the Imagine Peace Tower. The ceremony‘s host is Valur Freyr Einarsson.
6:30 pm: Guidance by Reykjavík Art Museum about the works of Richard Serra.
7:00 pm: A guided tour about the history of Viðey by Reykjavík City Museum.
7:30pm: Music performance by Sóley Stefnánsdóttir.
8:40 pm: Graduale Nobili choir of performs at the Imagine Peace Tower art piece. Yoko Ono speaks at the ceremony and the Mayor of Reykjavík, Dagur B. Eggertsson.
9:00 pm: The illumination of the Imagine Peace Tower
9:30 pm: The musician Svavar Knútur performs at Viðeyjarnaust.
Refreshments can be bought in Viðeyjarnaust and Viðeyjarstofa.