Sirkús Íslands in the West fjords (3.5)

WORK/PROJECT: This workcamp takes place in a town called Ísafjörður. It is located in the West Fjords of Iceland. Volunteers get the opportunity to experience real circus life in Iceland.

The main tasks include putting up the circus tents and taking them down afterwards. Volunteers will make sure the area is neat and tidy during the stay of the circus and assist in the Circus shop. We will help with putting up the stage and chairs for the shows and work together with the back stage team.

Sirkus Íslands was founded in the year 2007. The circus is a big group of people with talents in circus arts with ambitions to show people daring and funny circus acts. The group includes specialists in aerial entertainment, acrobatics, juggling, fire shows, stilt walking and roving entertainers.

ACCOMMODATION:  SEEDS volunteers will sleep in a tent. Please bring your own sleeping bags.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities.

Note that the circus cannot serve the needs of vegan people.

Do not forget some traditional/typical food & music from your home for the international evening.

LOCATION: Ísafjörður is the largest town in the West Fjords peninsula with a population of about 2.600 people. The distance from Reykjavik is 457 km by the Whale Bay tunnel. It is conveniently located between five smaller villages, and being the capital of the area it is the centre of interest in the peninsula.

The Westfjords are sometimes called Iceland’s best-kept secret and the word is spreading about the scenic wonders that light up Europe’s westernmost region.

Fishing has been the main industry in Ísafjörður and the town has one of the largest fisheries in Iceland. A severe decline in the fishing industry, for a variety of reasons such as political fishing restrictions in the early 80s and a decline in the fish population, has led the inhabitants to seek work elsewhere, leading to a decline in the town's population. The harbour also serves ferries to nearby settlements as well as larger cruise ships for tourists visiting the area.

The town is known for its flourishing art and cultural life and many prominent musicians and composers come from here or reside here. Commerce and trading have a long history in Ísafjörður and are still thriving. Skiing is the local winter sport and the skiing facilities rate among the best in the country.

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

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Domestic airport is Ísafjörður (IFJ).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp site and vice versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, it 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). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers will be working in the morning on the last day of the project.

Weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable, so be prepared to experience all kinds of weather.

If you play an instrument or have circus implements that you can bring to Iceland, please do that!

AGE: 20+