The song Húsavík was topping charts all over the world after its appearance in the Eurovision movie Credit: Netflix
Following the release of Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga last year, the small fishing town of Húsavík has become a global sensation, with Iceland’s government aiming to capitalise on its new-found popularity by funding the development of a Eurovision Museum there.
Boasting a population of just 2,307 people, Húsavík was catapulted into the public eye by Will Ferrel and Rachel McAdams’ Netflix release, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
The musical comedy, directed by David Dobkin and written by Will Ferrell and Andrew Steele, follows the story of Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdóttir as they achieve their life-long dream of representing Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest.
A big hit with fans of Eurovision, Húsavík - a song used in the film named after the town - was shortlisted for an Academy Award and made it into the upper echelons of the musical charts in countries all over the world. In the UK, the film’s soundtrack topped the charts as the number one album.
My home town
Local entrepreneur Örlygur Hnefill Örlygsson is behind the development plans, which would see a museum looking at the history of Eurovision opening for a two-year period.
“We saw that following the movie a window of opportunities opened to make something more around the story of Eurovision,” Örlygsson told Icelandic broadcaster RÚV. “The movie speaks to a certain niche group of fans and we want to get them to Húsavík.”
Iceland’s government has backed the plan, awarding a grant of ISK2m (US$15,500, €13,000, £11,100) to make financial preparations for the development. Netflix, which released the movie, has also thrown its support behind the project, as has the Húsavík Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, RÚV and EBU.
A Eurovision museum
The museum will sit inside a 300sq m (3,230sq ft) space, with an opening scheduled at some point during the summer, the earliest date being the start of May.
The museum will have three sections, one devoted to Söngvakeppnin, the second to the Netflix movie and the third to the history of Eurovision.
“We want the experience to be very interactive, and we want people to sort of get to know what Eurovision is all about,” Örlygsson told wiwibloggs. “Not only the technical aspects and personal aspects of the spirit of the contest, but we’re also looking for costumes and props from former contestants.”
Among the items already confirmed to go on display at the museum will be the dress of Iceland’s 2009 representative, Jóhanna Guðrún, as well as Selma’s outfits from 1999 and 2005. The hammer used by Hatari’s drummer Einar in 2019 has also been acquired by the museum, which is seeking more items from international contestants.
The song Húsavík was topping charts all over the world after its appearance in the Eurovision movie Credit: Netflix
Following the release of Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga last year, the small fishing town of Húsavík has become a global sensation, with Iceland’s government aiming to capitalise on its new-found popularity by funding the development of a Eurovision Museum there.
Boasting a population of just 2,307 people, Húsavík was catapulted into the public eye by Will Ferrel and Rachel McAdams’ Netflix release, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
The musical comedy, directed by David Dobkin and written by Will Ferrell and Andrew Steele, follows the story of Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdóttir as they achieve their life-long dream of representing Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest.
A big hit with fans of Eurovision, Húsavík - a song used in the film named after the town - was shortlisted for an Academy Award and made it into the upper echelons of the musical charts in countries all over the world. In the UK, the film’s soundtrack topped the charts as the number one album.
My home town
Local entrepreneur Örlygur Hnefill Örlygsson is behind the development plans, which would see a museum looking at the history of Eurovision opening for a two-year period.
“We saw that following the movie a window of opportunities opened to make something more around the story of Eurovision,” Örlygsson told Icelandic broadcaster RÚV. “The movie speaks to a certain niche group of fans and we want to get them to Húsavík.”
Iceland’s government has backed the plan, awarding a grant of ISK2m (US$15,500, €13,000, £11,100) to make financial preparations for the development. Netflix, which released the movie, has also thrown its support behind the project, as has the Húsavík Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, RÚV and EBU.
A Eurovision museum
The museum will sit inside a 300sq m (3,230sq ft) space, with an opening scheduled at some point during the summer, the earliest date being the start of May.
The museum will have three sections, one devoted to Söngvakeppnin, the second to the Netflix movie and the third to the history of Eurovision.
“We want the experience to be very interactive, and we want people to sort of get to know what Eurovision is all about,” Örlygsson told wiwibloggs. “Not only the technical aspects and personal aspects of the spirit of the contest, but we’re also looking for costumes and props from former contestants.”
Among the items already confirmed to go on display at the museum will be the dress of Iceland’s 2009 representative, Jóhanna Guðrún, as well as Selma’s outfits from 1999 and 2005. The hammer used by Hatari’s drummer Einar in 2019 has also been acquired by the museum, which is seeking more items from international contestants.
