LungA - Arts festival in the Eastern fjords

WORK/PROJECT:

SEEDS volunteers will be helping the local people and organisers of LungA, an arts festival for young people in Seyðisfjörður, at the Icelandic eastern fjords.

We will help with the preparation of the festival and with many activities during the busy time of the events. During the festival we will be helping with the set up of the venues and help to clean up the venue after the events; we will also have the chance to attend events and participate in some of the workshops.

We will watch the entrances and be part of the security during the festival. Many other projects could arise during the festival and volunteers should be prepared to help with what is needed and be ready to have some flexibility as we may be working on shifts also during the evenings.

During the festival there are workshops, exhibitions, fashion shows, concerts, performances, joy, happiness and loads of other stuff that appeal to the large crowd of locals and foreign visitors. LungA is first and foremost a festival created to involve young people, foster creativity and at the same time promote knowledge of art and culture. 

ACCOMMODATION:

SEEDS volunteers will stay in a local community centre; in a sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food and share the responsibilities of the cooking and also the cleaning activities. Do not forget some typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION:

The work camp is located in Seyðisjförður, a town and municipality in the East fjords. The town has around 700 inhabitants and the settlement of the town traces back to the early period of settlement in Iceland. Seyðisfjörður is surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides with the most prominent Mt. Bjólfur to the west and Strandartindur to the East. The fjord itself is accessible on each side from the town, by following the main road that leads through the town. Further out the fjord is fairly remote but rich with natural interest including puffin colonies.

The town is well known for its old wooden buildings and has remnants of urban street configurations within its urban fabric. There are several waterfalls in the town and popular hiking paths. Skálanes nature and heritage centre is 17 km east of the town. The reserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife, as well as catering for visitors and anyone wanting to explore the south side of the fjord.

LungA art festival was started at the initiative of a group of young people who were unhappy with the lack of activity in their town and wanted a change. The change involved establishing a festival for young people. One of the main goals of the group was to increase public interest in arts and culture and erase the prejudice that seemed to rule among young people. It took time for the festival to be introduced and now it is very popular and has been sold out year after year.

LANGUAGE:

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL:

Closest International Airports: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF); nearest domestic airport and bus stop is Egilsstaðir (EGS). The docking port for the Norröna ferry connecting Iceland with the Faroe Islands, Denmark and Europe is located in the town of Seyðisfjörður, 30 Km from Egilsstaðir.

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 some of the most beautiful, interesting and tourist sites in Iceland.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:µ

Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros).

SEEDS volunteers will have access to the local swimming pool,

The beautiful scenery of Seyðisfjörður offers countless opportunities to be discovered by foot or hiking in the stunning mountain landscape.

Age: 18+