Eyrarbakki - Stepping back in time

WORK/PROJECT: This project gives SEEDS volunteers the opportunity to work in cultural and festival related tasks in Eyrarbakki, a village in the South of Iceland which is very rich in culture and history.

Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to take part in an annual village festival dedicated to the spirit of 1900. Volunteers will work together with the locals preparing the village for and running the festival Aldamótahátíð (Turn of the century festival). Volunteers will help prepare the town for hosting hundreds of visitors and assisting in various tasks in the village. Residents and visitors dress up in the spirit of 1900. Volunteers with artistic skills or just enthusiasm to perform are welcome to develop their ideas and the local hosts will try to include them in the schedule.

Volunteers will be involved in preparing, participating and then taking down the festival. The area will be prepared for the events, after those volunteers will help to get the area in its former shape.

As many events and happenings will be going on at the same time during the festival, volunteers may work in teams in different stations at different times. Furthermore, volunteers may help our hosts in their activities as a sustainable tour operator in one of the most beautiful parts of Iceland.

SEEDS volunteers may help cleaning up the coastline to maintain its wild untouched appearance and may also help with collecting dulse.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be lodged in a community house in sleeping bag accommodation, sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

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

LOCATION: The project takes place in Eyrarbakki, a small village in South Iceland. The town played an important role in trading; the historical importance of the town is directly linked to the port, which was an entrance to the country in international trade.

The town is renowned for its charming old houses and one of oldest house of Iceland, from 1765 is located in the town. Other old houses are there and locals have put effort and energy in maintaining and renovating them, so the town holds more to its original outlook.

Few kilometres out of town is the Flói Nature Reserve, a paradise for wetland birds, with a marked circular hiking trail through the marshes. The surroundings are amazing, open sea, beautiful coastline; nearby you will find places such as Gullfoss, Geysir, Skálholt, Þórsmörk, Skógarfoss, as the very well known and notorious Eyjafjallajökull.  The distance from the capital is about 70 km.

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

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

SEEDS organises a “minibus option”, a special shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp which includes the Golden circle excursion. This excursion will be organised on the first day of the camp and it is included in the fee of the project. Departure time will be at 9:00 in the morning.

Apart from being cheaper than regular public services or tour operators, it also allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 250 (Euros). This fee is paid to SEEDS on arrival in Euros or Icelandic krónas and it includes the transportation from Reykjavík to Eyrarbakki and back (on the first and last day of the camp). In the first day we will include the Golden Circle excursion.

Volunteers have to bring good walking shoes and warm clothes. Even though the camp takes place in summer, it might still be cold and hats, scarves and gloves might be necessary.

The camp is located in a place of stunningly beautiful surroundings with countless walking and hiking opportunities. Our hosts will organise some additional free time activities.

Age: 20+