Yoko Ono awarded honorary doctorate by the Faculty of Languages and Cultures

The artist, peace activist, and friend of Iceland, Yoko Ono, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Faculty of Languages and Cultures at the University of Iceland’s School of Humanities, in recognition of her contributions to artistic creation and the cause of peace. Svanhildur Konráðsdóttir, CEO of Harpa Concert Hall, accepted the honorary doctorate on Yoko Ono’s behalf at a ceremony held in the University of Iceland’s Ceremonial Hall on 19 June, Women’s Rights Day in Iceland.

In Iceland, Yoko Ono is primarily known for the Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey Island, a collaborative project between her, the City of Reykjavík, Reykjavík Art Museum, and Reykjavík Energy. The tower was first lit on John Lennon’s birthday, 9 October 2007. The work takes the form of a wishing well, with the words “Imagine Peace” engraved in 24 languages. Yoko Ono also established the LennonOno Grant for Peace in 2002, which has been awarded several times at Harpa.

Gísli Magnússon, Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Cultures, presented the honorary doctorate and stated that it was a great honour for the faculty to bestow this title upon Yoko Ono for her artistic use of language and her peace activism, with the hope that it serves as a reminder to foster understanding and peace globally. He mentioned that Yoko Ono pioneered in redefining the concept of art and broke down traditional boundaries between artistic disciplines. “Her works, many of which carry strong social and political messages, are said to have created innovative connections with audiences and encouraged their participation in the creative process. Many of her works are also text-based, including her earlier pieces in Japanese.”

Svanhildur Konráðsdóttir expressed gratitude on behalf of Yoko Ono and said that she accepted the honorary doctorate with heartfelt affection for Iceland and deep respect for the nation’s unwavering commitment to peace. She emphasised Yoko’s consistent and clear message about the importance of peace and her tireless efforts to share that message with the world. Yoko often spoke of the North and its role in spreading the message of peace, believing the energy of the Arctic regions to be unique, and she has visited Iceland regularly.

Regarding Yoko’s peace message, Svanhildur said:

Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, stated in his address that the Imagine Peace Tower and the peace awards are testimony to the undeniable power that lies in the union of art and peace activism:

"No one should doubt the role of language in this power, and it is hardly a coincidence that the words ‘Imagine Peace’ are engraved in 24 languages on the wishing well in Viðey. The work evokes profound reflections on the importance of language and its challenges in the face of humanity’s struggle for peace, for all expressions of peace cannot be separated from the awareness of the reality of war. Yoko’s artistic peace activism is thus a call to contemplate peace; not only for the humanities but all of humanity and its languages. It is therefore a great honour for the University of Iceland and the Faculty of Languages and Cultures to recognise Yoko Ono with this honorary doctorate."

Ólöf Garðarsdóttir, Dean of the School of Humanities, presided over the ceremony. Pianist Davíð Þór Jónsson performed Imagine, and a video by Yoko Ono was shown, along with a clip from the documentary Imagine Peace by Alexander Ergis Magnússon.