Words by

Larissa Kyzer

A solidarity meeting to show support for the RÚV national broadcast service and protest recent lay-offs will be held this evening at the University cinema, Vísir reports. A new video, in which many prominent artists and academics speak to RÚV’s cultural and education importance, has been made in anticipation of the event.
“For 83 years RÚV has been the one of the most important cornerstone of Icelandic culture,” reads the event’s press release.
“From the beginning, it has offered a diverse program of spoken word, and educational, cultural, musical, and visual content…RÚV has taken care to broadcast something for everyone, young and old. The knowledgeable people at RÚV have spun a living thread which connects this country’s past and present. It is one of the most powerful mirrors of the Icelandic nation.”  
In the video which was made for the event, choreographers, poets, actors, film directors, choir directors, and scientists share their personal thoughts on the importance of maintaining a robust national broadcast service.
“I see RÚV as the nation’s diary,” says choreographer Margrét Bjarnadóttir. “RÁS 1 [a radio station run by RÚV] keeps a diary about art, and literature, and academics. And RÁS 1 is the only media outlet in this country which keeps such a diary. If RÁS 1 didn’t exist, didn’t continue, who would do this?”
“For me and many others, RÚV is not just radio and TV,” says actor Ingvar E. Sigurðsson. “RÚV is school. I would not be an actor today if I had not used, and listened to, and watched RÚV.”
“RÚV is like my grandmother,” says choir director and musical educator Þórunn Björnsdóttir. “She’s my best friend, my foster mother. She has entertained me, she has taught me.”
Members of the band Sammi will greet guests at tomorrow’s event, and biophysicist Guðrún Pétursdóttir will chair the meeting. Speeches will be given by author Guðmundur Andri Thorsson, film and theater director, Benedikt Erlingsson, musician Melkorka Ólafsdóttir, biochemist Sigríður Ólafsdóttir and public relations officer and former journalist for Fréttablaðið, Kolbeinn Óttarsson Proppé.
The meeting to show solidarity with, and support for, RÚV will be held at Háskólabíó, the university cinema, today, Wednesday, December 4, at 18:00.