West fjords: Music Festival

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will again be part of the annual music festival “ViðDjúpið”. This is the 5^th year in a row we work with the organisers of the festival with very good results.

The festival is held in the ‘capital’ of the West Fjords, Ísafjörður, around summer solstice every year. The event offers series of concerts and master classes, which are held in close cooperation with the Iceland Academy of Arts. During the last 10 years the festival has offered master classes and concerts with nation- and worldwide known artists.

We will share all types of tasks related to the festival and the group will be split according to the needs to give everyone the chance to try out different assignments. The input of volunteers will make a big difference in making the festival an impressive cultural event.

The tasks include welcoming guests at the airport and driving them around, selling entrance tickets, controlling at the entrances to the venues, helping during the classes and concerts, guiding and assisting participants and audience, preparing the venues before and after the concerts and a wide variety of many different duties.

We are an integral part of creating a special festival atmosphere in Ísafjörður and shall be ready for flexible time schedule (as for evenings&weekends).

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay at a local house/school; volunteers will sleep on mattresses on the floor and need to bring a sleeping bag.

Volunteers will be provided with food and be in charge of the cooking themselves.

Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATIONS: Ísafjörður is surrounded by mountains that offer endless opportunities to enjoy nature and wilderness during all seasons. Despite its small population, the town has a rather urban, or one could say international, atmosphere. It is known throughout the country for its rich cultural life, with music and visual arts having long tradition and firm roots in the town’s history.

In the West fjords one travels through the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch and willow, to mossy moors. On a stroll amidst the driftwood on the shore one can see birds and seals and then an occasional arctic fox around the deserted farmsteads.

Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.

In the month of June, when the camp takes place, the sun never fully sets at this degree of latitude and the nights are as bright as the days.The bright nights are magical with almost 24 hours of sunlight and staying awake enjoying the beautiful surroundings is a unique experience.

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

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 140 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers need to be flexible and motivated to work at late hours and week-ends and be willing to take part in all the diverse tasks connected with the project.

Volunteers should have a driving licence and be ready to drive during the project.

Age: 20-35