University of Iceland festival aims to kick-start student social life

Oktoberfest, organised by the Student Council of the University of Iceland, will be held for the 22nd time from 10 to 12 September, mbl.is reports. The three-day festival officially opens on Thursday, following several days of warm-up events.

The festival began as an event organised by German-language students at the university but quickly grew in popularity, Student Council president Katla Ólafsdóttir says. It has become an important part of university life, with the organisers scheduling it early in the academic year so new students can meet people and become involved in student activities.

Warm-up events began on Monday with performances by Dóra and Döðlurnar and Álfgrímur at Stúdentakjallarinn, the university student venue. A singles event was held there on Tuesday, while Alorian and Gross are scheduled to perform there on Wednesday evening.

The official programme begins on Thursday when the festival grounds open at 2.30pm. The finals of a football tournament for new students will take place at 3pm, followed by the HÍ-HR day at 4pm, when teams from the two schools compete. The opening performance will begin in the Tuborg tent at 6.30pm, followed by an evening of music.

People aged 20 and over can attend, while younger new students will receive special wristbands identifying them as underage. The festival also attracts students from HR and other young people beyond the University of Iceland community.

Performers include the Norwegian band The Bausa, British rapper Fimiguerrero and Icelandic artists including Björn, Bríet, Gísli Pálmi, Páll Óskar, Ízleif, Joey Christ, Una Torfa, Eyþór Wöhler and Flóni. The full programme and remaining tickets are available through Ofest.is.