A ‘new’ monument in Reykjavik
The statue of Einar Benediktsson in its new location. Photo: Styrmir Kári
Passers-by may have noticed a new addition near Reykjavik’s famous Höfði building, in the form of a statue of a chap named Einar Benediktsson.
Benediktsson was an Icelandic entrepreneur and poet. He was born in 1864 and read Law in Copenhagen.
He was the editor of Iceland’s first daily newspaper Dagskrá and his poetry – belonging to the neo-romantic literary movement – is said to have played a major part in the nationalistic reawakening of the Icelandic people leading of the country’s independence from Denmark.
Benediktsson is a leading figure in Icelandic literature, having also translated a number of works from English and Norwegian into Icelandic.
After his death in 1940, he was buried at Iceland’s famous Þingvellir.
His statue has hitherto been located in the Klambratún park in central Reykjavik, obscured from the view of most by a large tree.
This week, following a decision by the Reykjavik City Council, the statue was moved to a more visible location by Reykjavik’s famous Höfði building, where Benediktsson lived 1914-17.
You can hear a reading of one of Benediktsson’s poems in English here.
Einar Benediktsson.
