On June 29, 1980, a world-historical event took place in Iceland. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (1930) became the first woman in the world to be elected head of state in democratic elections, an unmarried woman, and a single mother. Vigdís was re-elected three times, sitting as president for four terms, from 1980 to 1996. Vigdís studied French, theater theory and philosophy, Vigdís emphasized language, nature conservation, world peace and greater equality both during her presidency, as well as after she retired. In 1999, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, in languages. Vigdísarstofnun – an international center for languages and culture at the University of Iceland has been operating under the UNESCO banner since 2017. The exhibition, Ljáðu mér vængi, The life and influence of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir is a joint project of the University of Iceland and the Vigdís Foundation. The curator is Sigrún Alba Sigurðardóttir, the exhibition is designed by Studio Studio and is located in Loftskeytastöðin at Suðurgata. A house that was built in 1915 and stands next to Veröld, the house of Vigdís, one of the buildings of the University of Iceland, which was nominated for the European Architecture Prize 2019. The house is designed by arkitektur.is.
Reykjavík 18/03/2024 : A7R IV, RX1R II : FE 1.8/20mm G, 2.0/35mm Z
Photographs & text: Páll Stefánsson
