The University of Iceland organises regular guided tours where experts from the University share their knowledge in various fields; ranging from astronomy, glaciology, life & environmental sciences to history and sport sciences. The tours have been designed in collaboration with the Icelandic Touring Association since the University’s centennial in 2011. This form of science communication has been a great success and the tours are open to all and free of charge.
The next tour on the agenda is a detective walk on the Cultural Night in Reykjavík when two University Professors invite participants on a detective walk in Reykjavík. Participants will walk in the shoes of criminals from Reykjavík’s past and discover what was done to murderers, ribalds and robbers in the olden days. Helgi Gunnlaugsson, Professor at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences and Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Icelandic and Comparative Cultural Studies, know interesting facts on old crimes which they will share on their walk through protest and crime scenes in Reykjavík.
Cultural Night in Reykjavik was launched twenty years ago and has become an essential part of cultural life in Iceland. The streets fill with people and events are numerous and variable; ranging from traditional shows and exhibitions to more unusual events.
A number of cultural institutes such as galleries, studios, shops, cafes, churches, restaurants and bars in downtown Reykjavik stay open until late. The immensely popular Reykjavik Marathon takes place on the same day.
This year Cultural Night will be on 22 August and the University's two hour walk in the shoes of criminals of yore begins at 11 a.m. at the Cabinet (Stjórnarráðið), an old prison in Lækjargata, and ends at the current prison in Skólavörðustígur stopping en route at Austurvöllur and Ægisgarður.
