Iceland review - 2015, Side 10

8 ICELAND REVIEW
FESTIVALS
REYKHOLT CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Held at the historical site of Reykholt in Borgarfjörður, West
Iceland, where saga author Snorri Sturluson lived and worked,
Reykholt Chamber Music Festival is among the most estab-
lished and respected music festivals in Iceland. Founded in 1997,
the festival is held annually the last weekend in July, now for the
19th time. The festival focuses on classical music, mostly from
the 18th and 19th centuries, including both chamber and choir
music but has also promoted new works by Icelandic compos-
ers. Among the highlights this year are concerts by the male
voice choir Karlakórinn Heimir, acclaimed Icelandic soprano
Þóra Einarsdóttir and a string chamber ensemble with leading
Scandinavian violist Atte Kilpeläinen from Finland as a special
guest.
Reykholt, Borgarfjörður, July 24-26, reykholtshatid.is
GÁSIR
For a long weekend in late July, time travel is made possible at
the Medieval Days at Gásir, an ancient trading post just north of
Akureyri in North Iceland. In its heyday, it served as a connec-
tion to the outside world, with ships from the continent coming
and going, carrying iron, china and other luxuries. During the
Medieval Days, life at the old trading post is recreated as accu-
rately as possible. Visitors can observe blacksmiths and weavers
at work, learn to shoot with a bow and arrow, go sailing on a
boat of ancient design, take part in the knattleikur Viking cul-
ture ball game and feast on old-fashioned dishes, with medieval
music setting the atmosphere.
Gásir near Akureyri, July 17-19, gasir.is
LungA
In mid-July, young and aspiring artists flock to the fishing
town of Seyðisfjörður in the East Fjords to take part in
the workshops, concerts and exhibitions held during the
one-week festival LungA. Established in 2000, the festi-
val celebrates creativity, collaboration and culture; drawing
inspiration from the town’s artistic atmosphere and beautiful
surroundings. This year, workshops will include theater,
dance, stage design, music and art performance, while Apparat
Organ Quartet, DJ flugvél og geimskip, Sykur, Grísalappalísa
and Reykjavíkurdætur are scheduled to perform in concert.
Since 2014, a school based on the LungA principles has been
run in Seyðisfjörður.
Seyðisfjörður, July 12-19, lunga.is
SUMMER
OUTSIDE
THE CITY
BY EYGLÓ SVALA ARNARSDÓTTIR.
PHOTO OF THE MEDIEVAL DAYS AT GÁSIR BY GEIR ÓLAFSSON.