Landsmót - National Horse Festival (2)

WORK / PROJECT: SEEDS Volunteers will work at the National Horse Show of Iceland, called Landsmót, this year the weeklong festival is held in the municipality of Skagafjörður, located in the northeast of Iceland. There will be 2 groups of SEEDS volunteers supporting the events and they will overlap in their work during the week of the festival.

This second group of volunteers working on the Landsmót will have a hectic and exciting first week, the horse festival will be happening and there all of Iceland’s best horses and riders gather to compete in various disciplines and breeding classes.

Volunteers’ main work during this time will be assisting in keeping the area clean, working in shifts, sometimes during the day and sometimes during the evening. In between they will also get some time off to enjoy the festival, having time to watch some of the showings or competitions.

The second week will be spent in clearing the area after the festival. Volunteers will be cleaning the area and taking down different areas from the festival, buildings, tents and markings. The goal is to leave the area as clean as possible, with as less damage as possible.

SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to meet some of Iceland’s best-known riders and breeders, as to meet horse enthusiasts from various countries.

ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation during the festival will be in a nearby school, volunteers will sleep on mattresses on the floor. Bringing a warm sleeping bag is needed.

Volunteers will receive meals from the festivals canteen and/or receive ingredients and share together the cooking.

LOCATION: The workcamp will take place in the municipality of Skagafjörður, in the north of Iceland, which offers a rich variety of places of interest. A quarter of area residents make their homes in the country, since Skagafjörður is one of Iceland's most prosperous agricultural regions, with widespread dairy and sheep farming in addition to the horse breeding for which the region is famed.

The Landsmót is an event like no other and the atmosphere is unique, with guests from all over the world sharing their common enthusiasm for the Icelandic horse. It was first held in the year 1950 at Thingvellir, in 2010 Landsmót will be held for the 19th time. The 2010 Landsmót will be held at the show grounds at Vindheimamelar. Horsemanship is born into the people of Skagafjörður region and many of Iceland’s most famous horse-breeding farms are located there. Icelandic horse lovers from around the globe gather at the Landsmót.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.

STUDY THEME: This workcamp has an educational/awareness-rising approach to environmental, nature-protection and sustainable development topics. Apart from the leader, we will have an environmental messenger, a person dedicated to organising and developing fun, interactive and educational activities within the project.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and back again, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 150,- (Euros). Remote places located in natural areas of extreme beauty. Volunteers will have access to concerts and will be able to attend some of the shows and competitions when they are not working.

The Skagafjörður area has great hiking possibilities and it is a paradise for nature and outdoors lovers.

AGE: 20+