Reykjavík - SEEDS Photo Marathon 2009

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers participating in this project will be part of the second SEEDS photo marathon in the Icelandic capital! Last year's experience was very successful and we would like to continue the work in this project!

One of the main objectives of the project is to try to deliver strong messages and draw the attention to the local population through pictures and photos made during the camp! SEEDS coordinators and jury will have prepared few different topics on which the participants will have to base their entries to the competition; those topics will be mainly related to the main areas of work of SEEDS: Environment and intercultural understanding.

Participants need to take their own digital cameras and its main work will be done walking or cycling all around the city and taking photographs on the issues given; the best pictures will be selected for a final exhibit. Putting up an exhibition will be the last part of the project at the Tjarnarsalur at the City Hall, one of the most visited galleries and venue for exhibits in the country!

Volunteers shall be prepared for long walking/cycling, flexible time schedule (early morning photo sessions, night photographing). Additional work performed by the volunteers may be done for the city of Reykjavík; working on the public recreational areas of town; and it would include the green areas and parks of the city.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay at local school; volunteers will sleep on mattresses on the floor and shall bring a warm sleeping bag. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, volunteers will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

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.

Visitors to Reykjavik experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland's capital city - whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it, or the lively culture and fun-filled nightlife. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. In the summer, you can sit by the harbour at midnight and watch the sun dip slightly below the horizon before it makes its way up again.

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

STUDY THEME: Environmental messenger in the project. S/he will be in charge of delivering ecological and global education messages to International volunteers and local hosts.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport:  Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. Closest bus station in town.

EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR160. SEEDS will provide volunteers with passes to access free of charge the city's seven geothermal swimming pools and beach. Volunteers will have the chance to live at the northernmost capital in the world and one of the smallest! Please bring your own digital camera!! SEEDS cannot provide films for volunteers without a digital camera. * 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.