Medieval Iceland Festival

WORK/PROJECT: This is the 4^th year that SEEDS volunteers have the unique opportunity to be working in the north of Iceland in a place full of historical heritage for the nation, with a lot of archaeological findings from the middle ages. Every year there is a medieval festival and SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to be a part of the festival. We will be working on various different things, both in the surroundings and for the festival itself.

Preparation for the festival will include building two campsites and general preparations around the area. The tasks during the festival will be very diverse; we will be selling tickets, cleaning in the area and assisting various crafts men that are showing some old traditional Icelandic crafts.

Other projects during the festival might include participation in re-enactment of old Viking games. We will also be cooking and helping for some big grill-parties in the festival, and participating and enjoying the festival in other ways. After the festival is over, we will be helping in cleaning the area and leaving it in a good shape after the festivities have ended.

Work will be physically demanding and involves having a good condition; working in shifts, part of the group in the mornings and afternoons, and the rest in the afternoons and evenings. Tasks will be diverse, therefore flexibility and open-mind is expected

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be lodged in the boarding school, sleeping on a mattress on the floor. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities during the project.  Please do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: In the north of Iceland, close to Akureyri on the shore of Eyjafjörður, the longest fjords in the country surrounded by mountains reaching up to1500 m. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km north of Akureyri but still the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to 25°C and winter temperatures in average around 0?C.

North Iceland is an expansive, enchanting region, where you can find all of Iceland's attractive aspects, culture and a flourishing society, endless opportunities for entertainment and outdoor recreation, picturesque nature in all directions, and more natural sights than almost anywhere else.

The place of the workcamp is unique: You will not find another place in Iceland with so many antiquities from a trading post from the middle ages. This was one the main trading post in northern Iceland and is mentioned many times in Old Icelandic Sagas from the 13th and 14th centuries. Archaeological digging in the area during the last six years has shown that it was a trading post up to the 16th century, possibly until trading started in Akureyri. 

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

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

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 200 (Euros). To be paid to SEEDS on arrival in Euros or Icelandic Krónur.

Volunteers need to be ready to work outdoors in physical jobs and be willing to take part in all the diverse tasks in the project.  Bring warm clothes as the project takes place outside.

The camp is located in a place of extreme beautiful surroundings with countless opportunities to discover them by foot or hiking; area surrounded by stunning mountains, fjords and rivers.

Age: 18+