Viking Festival & Fire in Hvammstangi

WORK/PROJECT: The project will take part in two different locations. The first, we will be engaged in two cultural festivals; a youth arts festival called Eldur í Húnaþingi and a Viking festival devoted to one of the heroes of the Icelandic sagas, Grettir the strong! We will be involved in preparing, participating and then taking down the festivals. The area will be prepared to fit the festival, Vikings tents will be set up and a wooden playground for kids built. Areas for bow shooting and tests of strength will be arranged. We will also help around with games for the children, competitions and courses related to the Viking culture. After the festival we will help to deconstruct the Viking tents and get the area in its former shape. Eldur í Húnaþingi is a Youth arts festival organised since 2003 that became a venue for Youth to let their light shine. It is organized by local youngsters with the help of many people in the county and Iceland. We will be helping in the preparations for an outdoor concert, doing light cleaning and maintenance work. We assist on the family-day - i.e. face painting and other fun activities. Apart from taking part in both festivals, we will get to know the place and the history of the area and we can participate in the various courses and seminars held by the hosts during our free time. The second part of the project we will work at the new SEEDS volunteers' base in the outskirts of Reykjavík. We will be assisting and giving contributions to its future development. We will help with taking care of the garden in the volunteers centre, painting the house and if weather allows, planting trees, working on a vegetable garden and tending the lot. We will have flexibility and freedom to plan and make our own schedule with the leader and according to the needs of the house. Furthermore we will have space and time to plan workshops and introduce new skills to the rest of the group. Independency and enthusiasm to work outdoors is an asset.

ACCOMMODATION: We will stay in a local school with mattresses on the floor, with access to living room area, kitchen and bathrooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, we will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals. Facilities to wash your clothes are in the area. Please do not forget some traditional food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The first part of the project is located in the North West of the country, on the foot of the Western Fjords peninsula, where one of the most famous Icelandic sagas took place. This area is rich in history, here the Viking battled for power and justice. Today it is a more peaceful place, with few farms, small towns and villages, rich on beautiful basalt cliffs and hot springs.Hvammstangi is the largest town in the area; its main economic activities are fisheries, a variety of services for the surrounding area while tourism is blooming. Part of the project will take place in the outskirts of Reykjavík, in the hills of Mountain of Wolves. The location is far enough from the city to be able to enjoy the quality of the country life, pure air, nature and tranquillity, but close enough to be able to visit the capital during the project.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).

SEEDS organises the 'minibus option', a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa, 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 180.

Free access to the local geothermal pool in Hvammstangi, unique opportunity to get in touch with one of the greatest Icelandic sagas, Grettissaga, through work and play.

AGE: 18+