What is the importance of the festival in the novel, Jar City?

The festival serves as a symbol of connection. Everyone who is old enough attends the same festival, no matter where they are from or their position in life. Grétar was believed to have been at the festival, and Elín remembers being at the festival, Erlendur says he was at the festival, and Marion Briem clearly remembers the festival. This proves that everyone in Iceland is connected in one or more ways.