Atlantica - 01.06.2001, Page 102

100 A T L A N T I C A
i-site CULTURE❍
Benedikte Thorsteinson wants visitors to know that there are no “Eskimos” in Iceland.
“Iceland is so far north, that when some people - usually Americans - come here they
expect to see Eskimos,” laughs Benedikte, the curator of the West Nordic Culture
House, located in Hafnarfjördur, a small fishing village 10 minutes outside of Reykjavík.
This tourist reaction is one reason why the culture house - part of a Viking village that
also contains the Viking pub Fjörukráin and a small theatre where stories about ‘Gods
and heroes’ are acted out - is such an important addition to the Icelandic cultural
scene.
“The House gives tourists a small taste of the different cultures of the West Nordic
countries: Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands,” Benedikte says, as she sits on a
couch covered by animal fur. Actually, it’s rather like a large helping of culture.
Stepping inside the culture house, which opened in June of last year, is like stepping
backwards in time. Inside are a collection of wares ranging from detailed carvings to
a sampling of traditional Greenlandic dress. The collection of furs and artefacts con-
jures up a mesquite scent strong enough to lure tourists back to a time long before cell
phones and laptops. There’s even a polar bear standing off in the distance.
The Culture House is committed to traditional art. Located in the house is a spare
apartment used for visiting artists, part of an artist-in-residency program for craftsmen
from the West Nordic countries. Different artists arrive regularly to practice their craft,
and their work is then exhibited in the Cultural House, and placed on sale.
Tourists can sleep over, too. Upstairs is a guest house where visitors can chose
between 19 different rooms furnished in a West Nordic theme. Benedikte’s favourite
room would have to be Eqaluit, named after her home village in south Greenland.
West Nordic World
Benedikte Thorsteinson
“My father was a sheep farmer and
we were living on the ruins of the
descendants of Eiríkur the Red and
other Norse descendants, so it’s nat-
ural for me to come here.”
While it may be natural for Benedikte
to be in Iceland, her background
ensures the authenticity of the Culture
House.
“Many tourists would like to visit
Greenland or the Faroe Islands, but
don’t have time to go,” Benedikte
says. “The centre peaks their interest,
so maybe on their next trip, they’ll
make time for a visit.”
Until that next visit, there’s a small
West Nordic world located at the
Viking Village. EW
West Nordic Culture and Guest House,
Strandgata 50 A, 220 Hafnarfjördur,
tel. (+ 354) 565-1213,
e-mail: vikings@islandia.is
PHOTOS PÁLL STEFÁNSSON
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