Reykjavík arts festival - Listahátíð í Reykjavík

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will support this year again Listahátíð í Reykjavík (the Reykjavík Arts Festival). Volunteers will be following the exhibition called “Campingwomen”, which will travel around Reykjavík during the Reykjavík arts festival (Listahátíð í Reykjavík). The role of the volunteers is to be guardians of the five camper vans which make up the exhibition. Campingwomen are functional caravans from the 60s and 70s. The torsos of the female figures grow out of the roof so that the caravans function as the women’s skirts. Each woman is approximately 4 meters tall. The caravan, the camping life, the traveller, the transportable home, memories of cramped spaces with the family close together – cosiness and the holiday, or the explosive nature of these elements – give rise to many associations and also to the stories associated with gypsies and circus people, the travellers. The woman and the secrets she hides or reveals also gives rise to interpretations.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be lodged in a local housing. There will be bunk beds, mattresses and all facilities needed. Food will be provided, so cooking and common tasks will be shared fairly among the participants. A warm sleeping bag is highly recommended.

LOCATION: Reykjavík*, the Icelandic capital, has been called Europe’s hottest capital. Slick advertising campaigns have championed the city’s famed nightlife. But there is more to Reykjavik than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík held the prestigious title European City of Culture in the year 2000; a welcome recognition of the energetic and colourful cultural life of the capital. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America, is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of Faxaflói Bay. The population of the city is about 115,000 (40% of Iceland’s population) in the metropolitan area and 180,000 (60% of Iceland’s inhabitants) including its suburbs. It is growing steadily and 45% is younger than 30 years old; 83,1% of men and women aged 16-74 are active on the labour market. Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources, geothermal power and glacial rivers. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene.

The Festival is held every year in May. It was held biennially from 1970 and annually from 2004. The Festival is one of Northern Europe’s oldest and most respected arts festivals. It is organised by an Artistic Director, appointed by the Board. The three Board members are appointed, respectively, by the Minister of Culture and Education, the Mayor of Reykjavik and the Festival´s Council of Representatives. Vladimir Ashkenazy, one of the founders of the Festival, has been honorary president from the outset. The patron is the President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson.

The purpose of the Festival is to promote Icelandic and international culture in all fields of art. The programmes offer a range of concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, dance and opera. In combination with its focus on Icelandic culture, past and present, the Festival has hosted many outstanding international artists and performers.

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

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF.

SPECIAL REMARKS / EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR 90,-. Volunteers will have free access to other activities in the Reykjavík arts festival. Volunteers will also receive passes to access free of charge the city’s seven geothermal swimming pools and beach.

* The name Reykjavík means "smoky bay": Given by the first settlers that arrived to the area due to the high geothermal activity and the constant rise of steam out of the hot springs around.