WORK/PROJECT: Our host for this project is the Festival of Sacred Arts of Hallgrímskirkja, which is a church music festival in Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík, the tallest church in Iceland and the tallest building in the capital city.

The biannual Festival of Sacred Arts will be held in Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík between August 14^th and 23^rd. The festival has been held by The Hallgrímskirkja Friends of the Arts Society since the church was consecrated in 1986 and this year it will be celebrated for the 14^th time.

Volunteers in this project will get the chance to listen to the concerts during the festival, which will showcase artists such as The Hague International Baroque Orchestra, Olivier Latry organist of the Notre Dame, the KING’S Men from King’s College Choir in Cambridge, The Hallgrímskirkja Motet Choir, and more.

The tasks of the project will be to help in preparation for the music festival and during the festival itself. Tasks will include distributing promotional materials, helping to set up and take down the stage, lining up chairs for the musicians, preparing coffee and refreshments for the artists during rehearsals, working in a fundraising café, helping with the ticket sales before concerts, greeting concert guests and helping them to their seats, helping to clean the church after concerts, and other related tasks that will come up.

The group of volunteers will sometimes be divided into teams to work on different tasks, such as in the fundraising café.

The weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable so be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and bring warm clothing.           

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in another local church with access to a bathroom, shower and kitchen. Volunteers will sleep in shared rooms in sleeping bags. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Do not forget to bring some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: The project is located in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The venue for the festival is Hallgrímskirkja, which is one of the iconic buildings of Reykjavík. The church is 73 metres high, making it the largest church in Iceland and the sixth tallest building in Iceland.

The church is named after the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson. He was the author of the Passion Hymns which were published in 1659 and have been translated to many languages and reprinted in Icelandic more than 75 times, a unique achievement in Icelandic literature.

Reykjavík is located in south-western Iceland and has a population of around 120,000 people. It is the world’s most northerly capital and is thought to be very cosmopolitan for its size. By international standards the city is merely a town, yet it's loaded with museums, captivating art, rich culinary choices, and funky cafes and bars.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: The participation fee is EUR 200 (Euros). Please note that this fee is to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Our host will organise free time activities in the area depending on time and the weather conditions.

Excursions (eg. Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, Snaefellsnes or South Shore) can be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares.

Age: 18+