Ari Eldjárn receives Jónas Hallgrímsson Award in Reykjavík during Icelandic Language Day celebration

Comedian Ari Eldjárn has been honored with the Jónas Hallgrímsson Award, an accolade presented on Icelandic Language Day during a festive event held at the Eddu venue. In a light-hearted moment, Ari shared a joke from his father, who previously received the same award, stating, “Then you must stop saying ‘beisiklí’.”

During the ceremony, Minister of Culture Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir read a film critique written by Eldjárn when he was just 15 years old. Eldjárn humorously expressed his mixed feelings about receiving the award after years of absence from writing, stating, “It’s a bit like having imposter syndrome. I haven’t put pen to paper in fifteen years. I was truly relieved to hear what was said in the speech and in writing. I’ve essentially been in oral tradition. Perhaps it’s for the best, as what little I had in print hasn’t aged well, as noted by the jury’s logic.”

Eldjárn told his father about winning the award, noting the family connection to the honor. He playfully intended to tease his father, saying, “Now I’ve got this too.” To this, his father simply replied, “Well, then you need to stop saying ‘beisiklí.’” Eldjárn concluded that he has indeed stopped using that phrase.

The award ceremony not only celebrated Eldjárn’s achievements but also highlighted the importance of the Icelandic language and culture in contemporary society.