Work: World Words on Stage is a work-camp for a maximum of 16 volunteers who will work on preparing and presenting a show in Reykjavik during the final days of the workcamp. Volunteers will get in touch with the local art and society and through the comparison with their own culture they will write a play about their impression and thoughts. The natural orientation of the group will determine which kind of play will be the best for creating a strong message for the local community.
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: World Words on Stage is a work-camp for a maximum of 16 volunteers who will work on preparing and presenting a show in Reykjavik during the final days of the workcamp. Volunteers will get in touch with the local art and society and through the comparison with their own culture they will write a play about their impression and thoughts. The natural orientation of the group will determine which kind of play will be the best for creating a strong message for the local community.
1st week In the first part of the first week we will be some visit local museums and art activities of Reykjavík , activities will be based on the natural orientation of the group (ie: if volunteers are fascinated by the Icelandic choirs they will arrange a meeting with a local choir to attend a lesson or just to watch rehearsals). Every afternoon we will discuss what we saw and learned during the day about Icelandic culture, making comparison and studies. In the second part of the week we will decide and write down what to present on a stage.
2nd week In the second week there will be rehearsals and workshop for every part of the project. Volunteers will choose different tasks and divide the work amongst themelves. Tasks can be divided like this:
Acting - Volunteers will be the main characters and will take care of the direction of the show
Music - Volunteers will be responsible of the music part of the show
Staging - Volunteers will be responsible for dresses, objects and scenery that will be used for the show
Organization - Volunteers will secure a venue for the show and create advertising and promotional material
In the last days of the second week the show will take place.
IMPACT ON VOLUNTEERS
We will have the chance to learn the main cultural and social features of Iceland and Icelanders through a real involvement in the local community. We will use theatre and metaphors to explore our impressions gained through our brief exposure to Icelandic culture. Through the play volunteers will get the chance to show their own personal view of Iceland and receive local community feedback. Volunteers will also leave Iceland with a brief but intensive experience of how to stay on a stage, how to play drums, vocals or an instrument and all the artistic issues that can fit in a play.
IMPACT ON LOCAL COMMUNITY
Icelanders will have the possibility to rediscover their culture through the completely different filter of a foreign eye and, at the same time, they'll learn something more about other cultures or social themes that usually are not well developed in Iceland.
Leisure: Worldwide Friends volunteers have free access to the local geothermally-heated swimming pools in Reykjavik. Traditionally, natural pools have played an important social role in Icelandic culture. Most Icelandic pools offer indoor and outdoor swimming, as well as hot tubs and saunas or steam rooms.
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, geysirs, 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, and volunteers also have free access to shared desktop computers in communal areas. 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, theaters, 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!
Language: The language of the workcamp is English.
Additional Information: There is an extra participation fee for this workcamp of 180 Euros.
