Saga Fest: Inspiration through music and art

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working with an Icelandic music and arts festival called Saga Fest. This is the first time this festival is being held.

Volunteers in this workcamp will mainly be focusing on three things: building, art and sustainability. Volunteers might be split into three groups to tackle these tasks. The build team can expect some heavy lifting; this is all about helping designers, architects and landscape architects with the construction of the festival's structures and custom stages. They report to the Festival's On-Site Operations Manager.

The art team will help artists put up installations and exhibitions for Saga Fest. If volunteers happen to be artists with experience putting up either structures or art installations, they can pitch a project and the festival can provide them with materials. They will report to the Festival's Art Director.

The sustainability team will help integrate sustainability into every part of the festival, from operations to educational programming. They will help build out a garden, get composting sites ready, create areas for recycling and upcycling, and design placards that showcase how Saga Fest is being sustainable. They will report to the Festival's Sustainability Director.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers in this workcamp will sleep in tents in partially sheltered accommodations for camping. Please bring your own warm sleeping bag.

Volunteers will have access to a bathroom and showers and a communal kitchen. Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities.

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

LOCATION: The project takes place in Árborg. It is the largest municipality in the south of Iceland. Árborg has a beautiful environment and a unique landscape such as large lava fields and black sand beaches. Árborg has a population of 7800 people. Sagafest takes place between the towns Selfoss and Eyrarbakki. The distance from the capital to the festival location is about 60 km.

Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland, and it sometimes referred to as the capital of the South. The town is an excellent centre for day tours to the many attractions in the area.

Eyrarbakki is renowned for its charming old houses and one of oldest house of Iceland, from 1765 is located in the town. Few kilometres out of town is the Flói Nature Reserve, a paradise for wetland birds, with a marked circular hiking trail through the marshes.

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 the camp location 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 working shoes and clothes, even though it is almost summer, it might still be cold and hats and gloves are necessary.

Volunteers will get a free festival wristband. Tours and excursions can be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares as well (for example Blue Lagoon, South Shore, etc.)

Age: 18+