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Thursday, 29 October 2026 Icelandic stories. Global audience.
Icelandic Life

Opera Days Festival opens in Reykjavík with floating diva on city pond

The tenth Óperudagar festival began today in Reykjavík's city centre, drawing crowds as a 'floating diva' took the stage on Reykjavíkurtjörn.

a floating diva performance on Reykjavíkurtjörn during the Opera Days festival opening
Image: Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · licence, original (resized) Illustrative image.

Opera lovers and passers-by gathered in Reykjavík city centre today for the opening of Óperudagar, the Opera Days festival. This year’s festival, its tenth edition, drew a large audience with an unusual outdoor performance featuring a ‘floating diva’ on Reykjavíkurtjörn, the small lake at the heart of Iceland’s capital. The event was first reported by RÚV.

The festival began at a local café in the city centre, marking the start of several musical events set across different locations. After the opening, participants proceeded on foot between various venues, following a tradition of movement and exploration that characterises Óperudagar.

Reykjavíkurtjörn, often known simply as Tjörnin, is a shallow lake in central Reykjavík next to the City Hall and several museums. Its unique setting provided a striking backdrop for this year’s opening spectacle, helping to attract both opera enthusiasts and passers-by to the performance.

Sources

Image: Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · licence, original (resized) Illustrative image.