Iceland Music recently travelled to Japan alongside Business Iceland, President of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir, and three artists – Gabríel Ólafsson, Ásgeir, and JFDR - to promote Icelandic music and culture.

Iceland celebrated its National Day at the World Expo in Osaka on 29 May under the theme Peace and Equality. A diverse programme placed music and Icelandic culture at the forefront, with none other than the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, as the guest of honour.

Music took centre stage on National Day, with performances by JFDR, Ásgeir and Gabríel Ólafsson. Additionally, a composition by Sindri Már Sigfússon (Sin Fang) and Kjartan Hólm played a key role in the artwork Circle of Trust - a collaboration between several leading Nordic design studios - which was exhibited in the joint Nordic pavilion at the Expo.

The programme in Osaka also featured other art forms, including literature and design: Rán Flygenring presented the Japanese edition of Vigdís, the book about the world’s first female president, and designers Flétta and Ýrúrarí invited guests to explore a unique project transforming wool remnants into pizzas.

Immediately following National Day, the cultural festival Taste of Iceland took place in Tokyo from 30–31 May. Organised in partnership with leading centres for the arts and creative industries, the programme featured literature, design, visual art, and of course music, with participation from Icelandic artists.

On 30 May, JFDR and Ásgeir performed at Space Odd in Shibuya, where DJ Hermigervill kept up the energy high between sets. The venue was packed with enthusiastic concertgoers who warmly embraced Icelandic music.

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See the photos:

Photos by Timothée Lambrecq