Summertime brings wonderful delights in various forms, my favourite being music festivals. Each year I pilgrimage to hear phenomenal music outdoors in the sunshine…well, perhaps the sunshine isn’t always present but the tunes that fall upon my ears are always unfailingly fabulous. With the huge volume of us that venture to these festivals I can only assume I am not on my own with my love for this, therefore I present to you the idea of combining travel and music. Why not go on a short break this summer to enjoy Reykjavik Jazz Festival which starts on 13 August (click here to find out more), or if you’re travelling to Iceland for a self-drive, pop in to the city and have a little interlude in between experiencing Iceland’s wonders. Whatever your taste in music there is a festival out there for you, just quietly waiting to be discovered this summer.
Reykjavik Arts Festival - Online Video
With the proliferation of online videos brings a wealth of sights and sounds that can now be viewed worldwide without the need to leave the comfort of your arm chair. However, I am a great believer of first-hand experience and I am yet to come across a video that beats this. Yet saying that, videos are a wonderful way to learn and get a taste of all the wondrous joys out there and believe me, there are some truly sensational experiences just waiting to be discovered. So, I present to you the first in a series of Guardian Video Breaks – click here to view Iceland's captial, Reykjavik and meet the people behind its annual Arts Festival which is running until 31 May 2009. If you’ve missed the chance to visit this year then I’m sure there is a video out there that will capture it for you!
Explore your Creativity in Iceland
Iceland is a haven for artists all through the year. With draws such as incredible landscapes, lighting, culture and natural phenomena it’s not surprising that it has the highest per capita number of artists and writers in the world.
If, like me you are looking forward to outdoor summer art events and would happily travel to experience the joys festivals bring then perhaps the Summer Art Festival in Akureyri in Iceland is just for you.
Akureyri in north-east Iceland is the largest town outside the capital region and is situated in a spectacular fjord. The location provides the perfect setting to enjoy the contrasts of the bustling town with the tranquillity of the spectacular fjordland. The Summer Art Festival runs from mid-June to the end of August and is ‘crawling with bohemians and art lovers during the festival’. However, if your summer is already planned out then fear not as Iceland is sure to satisfy any hungry artists’ desire throughout the year.
So get out there, explore your creativity, indulge your senses and return feeling inspired and full of wonderful memories.
Iceland comes to London this Autumn
For a nation of 300,000 people, Icelanders certainly pull their weight in the art and music world. Two of Iceland’s cultural institutions are coming to London in the upcoming autumn months and both are well worth a look.
The Sirkus Bar in Reykjavík was for many years home to many of Iceland’s greatest artists, musicians and writers and despite its ramshackle appearance was much loved by residents and visitors alike. Adorned with two over-sized puffins and light features that rarely worked, the bar was even home to one of Björk’s music videos.
Sirkus unfortunately couldn’t survive as modern bars moved in all around, but it will be resurrected in London for the upcoming Frieze Art Fair in Regent’s Park. The annual festival, which showcases the best of modern art and film, is happening this year from October 16-19 and is set to be bigger than ever. The Sirkus project, masterminded by the Icelandic art collective Kling & Bang, wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Iceland’s low-cost carrier Iceland Express. The original facade of the bar will be transported to Regent’s Park for an authentic Icelandic experience, and filled with the art and music that made it famous.
The Iceland Airwaves Music Festival, now entering it’s tenth year, is a unique festival experience that winds through Reykjavík’s streets every October. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the festival, which has hosted bands such as Bloc Party and the Kaiser Chiefs in the past, Airwaves is coming to the streets of East London for one night only on September 19. Featuring live music from a great mix of up-and-coming British bands and established Icelandic artists, it’s sure to be a fantastic night.
Fancy sampling Airwaves for yourself in its original setting? Get in quickly as you’ve only got two months before it kicks off, but if you want to sample some of Reykjavík’s famous cultural highlights and nightlife at a slightly less frenetic pace then a Reykjavík City Break might be just the tonic, complete with a host of optional excursions and extended breaks. Until then, head to London this autumn for an insight into a truly extraordinary culture.
