Project and location: Reykjavik is a city full of energy, just waiting for you to experience it. Powered by heat from the earth below, with ever-changing weather sweeping across the landscape, its natural features are matched by the energy of its residents. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun, culture, nature, clean air - and Reykjavik has them in spades. All the advantages of a modern, forward-looking society are complemented by the beautiful natural setting. In a country of only just over 300,000 people, the Reykjavik Capital Area has a population of about 200,000. However, since it’s the only major city in the country, Reykjavik has a lot of the amenities that you would only expect to find in a much larger center elsewhere in the world.
Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city and is centred on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Come at the right time of year, and in favourable conditions you will see the city’s skyline silhouetted against the glowing, shimmering curtain of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. Reykjavik is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of Faxafloi Bay to the north, while rugged lava-fields spread to the southeast. On a clear sunny day, the Snaefellsjokull glacier glitters on the western horizon like a crystal.
Work: Reykjavík Arts Festival has been held in Reykjavík, Iceland since 1970. It is one of Europe’s oldest and most recognized multi-disciplinary arts festivals and it has hosted a large number of international and local artists in all fields music, theatre, visual arts and dance. For more information visit: www.artfest.is.
Participants in the workcamp will visually capture the festival and present it through online photo blogs and social media. Participants may in addition be requested to perform minor additional tasks related to the organization of the festival such as distribution of printed material, assisting audience, assisting security, etc.
During a short orientation period, participants will be introduced to the festival and the many arts and cultural venues in Reykjavik it collaborates with, as well as the tasks they will be responsible for during the workcamp. The group will create the photo blogs and social media channels to be used during and immediately after the festival. During the festival the group will have access to selected performances which they will document by photographing the event itself and its audience, as well as capturing the general atmosphere created in the city during the festival. These photographs, once approved by Reykjavik Arts Festival’s staff, will be published on the workcamp’s photo blog, and distributed via the festival´s social media channels.
Leisure: On weekends, the central location of the accommodations is ideal for enjoying Reykjavik‘s amazing nightlife, which is world-renowned for its wide array of bars, clubs, and concerts.
WF Iceland will also organise reasonably-priced weekend excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights such as glacial lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, geysers, lava forests, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents or even icebergs.
Accommodation and Food: Worldwide Friends volunteers stay in one of several shared houses offering basic sleeping and cooking facilities in the heart of historical downtown Reykjavik. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bag and towels, but mattresses and bed linens are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge. The accommodation provided by Worldwide Friends Iceland for volunteers in Reykjavik is located within short walking distance of many urban amenities, including: banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, public swimming pools, restaurants, cafes, libraries, theatres, shops, museums, and bus stations.
Food is included for the duration of the workcamp, however everyone is expected to do their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. Since it is always nice to try new and different dishes, volunteers are encouraged to bring along their favorite recipes from home!
Requirements: Volunteers with good photography and computer skills are very much welcome to this workcamp. Previous knowledge of blogging and social media is also welcome. Volunteers are expected to bring their own cameras and preferably also laptops for editing and publishing the captured material.
Language: Basic English is required.
Terminal/Region: Reykjavík - Keflavík.
Additional Information: There is an extra participation fee of EUR 200 for this workcamp.