Norræna húsið - The Nordic House., Reykjavík

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The Nordic House in Reykjavík is a common cultural center for the Nordic countries. It was opened in 1968 and designed by Alvar Aalto (1898-1976) the world-known Finnish architect and designer. The Nordic House serves as to strengthen the ties between the Nordic nations and to serve as a link between them and is run by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It hosts exhibitions, workshops, concerts, lectures and conferences all very well attended by Icelanders and other Nordic nations visiting, studying or living in Iceland.

It has an excellent library containing books, CDs and DVDs from all the Nordic nations.

The Nordic House is a co-producer of the Reykjavík International Film Festival and Iceland Airwaves.

In the basement (there is lift which takes you there) are exhibitions of the work of Alvar Aalto (2008) to celebrate the 40th anniversay of the Nordic House, and other Nordic exhibitions.

There is also a caféteria at the Nordic House, "Café Alvar A - food and drink" with excellent views of the University quarters and the bird reservoir in Vatnsmýrin. You can read a very good selection of Nordic news-papers at the caféteria which are flown in every day.

The caféteria is open every day from 10-17 and weekends from 12-17.
The Library is open every day from 10-17.
The Exhibition rooms are open every day from 12-17 except Mondays when they are closed.

Admission is free.

The Nordic partnership was established in 1914 by the kings of Sweden, Denmark and Norway just before WW1 when there was unsettled political situation. Here in Iceland the Nordic association was established in 1922. It is not located in the Nordic house but down-town in Óðinsgata 7. They offer language courses, trips and lectures. And since the financial collapse here in Iceland in 2008 they were inundated with requests from Icelanders about jobs and other information on the Scandinavian countries.