The Nordic House

The Nordic House in Reykjavík opened in 1968 and is operated by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Its mission is to strengthen cultural connections between Iceland and the other Nordic countries. Since its opening, it has held a distinctive place in Icelandic cultural life and has often taken an active role in shaping exhibitions, events, and public discussion.

The programme brings together art, literature, and civil society, supported by the library and the Hvelfing exhibition hall. Sustainability, equality, and diversity are central principles in its work, alongside a commitment to carbon neutrality and balanced representation across programming.

The Nordic House includes a special library devoted exclusively to literature in the Nordic languages, as well as a children’s library, café, exhibition hall, and auditorium. The building itself is one of Alvar Aalto’s most recognisable cultural works, marked by his characteristic design language from the sculptural blue roof to the custom furnishings and carefully considered interior details.