Harpa

Harpa is a large concert and conference center in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik. The name means harp, but also serves as a symbol of hope.

The building was designed by Danish architect Henning Larsen in collaboration with Olafur Eliasson. The large concert hall Eldborg in the building has 1,800 seats. The main performer is the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.

Construction began in 2006, but due to the credit crisis that hit Iceland particularly hard in 2007-2008, construction was halted and it seemed that the large construction pit in the center near the harbor would remain empty forever. Ultimately, it was decided to complete the prestigious building anyway. The opening concert was held on May 4, 2011. Vladimir Ashkenazy conducted the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The building was officially opened on May 13, 2011. Harpa is operated by the company Portus, which is owned by the Icelandic central government and the municipality of Reykjavíkurborg.

In 2013, Harpa was awarded the Mies van der Rohe Prize for contemporary architecture by the European Union.

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