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Iceland » Objects
A Flag or an Apron?
The Icelandic flag was given to Thorunn's (the scenographer/director) grandmother when Iceland declared its independence in 1944. She kept it correctly folded in a drawer as she did not own a flagpole. Every year her son would borrow the flag to decorate the window of his store Iceland's National Day, 17 June, until 1971, when Thorunn inherited it. In 1995 the flag was worn as an apron by Gudrun in the performance. There was a suspicion that the flag was being improperly used and she was filmed by two policemen on the opening night. Her husband, one of the authors of the play, was then called to the Prime Minister's Office to discuss the use of the flag with the Prime Minister, as the 'Law of the National Flag of Iceland' states that no-one is allowed to disrespect the flag in word or deed, subject to a fine or imprisonment of up to one year. As a result of their discussion the flag's use in the performance was not prohibited and, although it has become slightly worn, it may still be displayed on Thorunn's flagpole on special occasions.