Viking Festival

  Iceland

Reykjavik

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 5 - June 19, 2009

Description: Hafnarfjörður is a town with population of 23.500 people. It is located 10 km away from the capital, Reykjavík. Hafnarfjörður takes its name (meaning Harbour-fjord) from the area's excellent natural harbour. The town is first named in the medieval "Book of Settlements," and the earliest reports of voyages to Hafnarfjörður date from the end of the 14th century. Today, Hafnarfjörður is one of the nation's largest fishing centres and the site of Iceland's first fish wholesalers' auction market.

Hafnarfjördur is famous for having one of Icelands largest settlements of elves, dwarves and other mystical beings, which are usually called Hidden Folk. Centuries-old folklore has it that whole clans of such beings reside in the rocks that make up part of the towns centre. We do not doubt this at all. Though elves are visible only to those with second sight, a great many Icelanders believe in their existence. Indeed, there is much evidence to support this belief, as stories abound of instances where new roads or housing developments were under construction and strange happenings took place. Hidden Folk enjoy a certain regard, and nowhere more so than in Hafnarfjördur. There is even a Hidden Worlds tour that takes you to their home sites, stopping at places like Hellisgerdi Park and the base of the cliff Hamarinn, which is said to be home to the Royal Family of the Hidden Folk. Along the way, the guide relates ancient folk tales of the magical hidden worlds and describes how the town grew and developed in harmony with the Hidden Folk.

The Vikings settled Iceland around 874 AD and the Icelanders are very proud of those brave people who had the courage to start a life here in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. In Hafnarfjörður there is a small Viking village where the volunteer project will take place. During the annual Viking Festival modern-day Icelanders and Vikings from abroad celebrate their heritage with appropriate style. The Vikings' wild and adventurous spirit lives on today, in the people of this unique country. The event is a lot of fun; there are displays of ancient arts and crafts, and large gruff men in full Viking attire demonstrate their ancient battle skills to anyone brave enough to challenge them.

Two groups of volunteers will take part in the project. The first one from May 27 to June 23, and the second one from June 9 to June 23.

The volunteers will help with the preparation of the festival, the festival itself and after it has finished. During the festival all volunteers will receive Viking costumes to wear and perform different tasks. Different types of tasks will be performed as control at the venues, assistance to visitors, and helping the other Viking volunteers in the kitchen or serving the meals.

The festival will start on June 13th and last until June 17th. Apart from our group of Vikings, there will be around 120 more Viking volunteers coming from all around the world! A big collection of artists will be at the Festival: warriors, bowmen, wrestlers, woodcarvers, stonemasons, blacksmiths, storytellers and enchantresses, musicians and magicians. The working hours are not completely fixed and they will be flexible according to the busy and relaxed hours of the festival.

Leisure time: Excursions and free time activities will be arranged for volunteers. The volunteers will have free access to the local swimming pool.

There is an extra fee of 120 Euro that goes to support the local host
of the project.

Cost in US$: $290 US

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Iceland Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.