Seyðisfjörður town is situated in a fjord with the same name, in the east of Iceland. Founded by Norwegian fishermen in 1895, this little town is noted for its Norwegian-style wooden houses that are homes to 700 inhabitants, who survive mainly on fishing and tourism. Seyðisfjörður is also the main ferry port to and from Denmark.
Seyðisfjörður is renowned for its numerous beautiful waterfalls, that follow the Fjarðará river, and can be admired when coming from Egilsstaðir via route 93.
Seyðisfjörður is especially popular for its growing artist community. The Skaftfell centre of visual arts offers exhibitions, art discussions and artist residencies to those who wish to stay throughout the year.
The LungA festival, which takes place every year in July, brings together artists from all over Iceland and the world, and celebrates creativity through performances, shows and concerts.
The LungA festival began in 2000, and in 2010 a school with the same name was established in order to promote personal development in various artistic activities. The school program consists of 12 weeks of artistic discovery and teaching. If you have an artistic streak, there are plenty of opportunities to stay long-term or short-term in Seyðisfjörður.
Seyðisfjörður is also known for its clever installation piece Tvísöngur, by Berlin artist Lukas Kühne, which can be seen twenty minutes walking distance from the Brimberg fish factory. Tvísöngur is a collection of five large stone domes that pays tribute to Iceland's unique musical tradition of five-tone harmonies. Once inside visitors can experience each dome as a musical instrument, because when the wind blows through a dome, it creates a sound, each dome resonating a different tone that makes up a five tone harmony.
A visit to the town would feel incomplete without seeing Bláa Kirkjan, the little blue church in Seyðisfjörður. In addition to being picturesque and charming, the church is also known for the Blue Church Summer Concert Series (started 1998), when the town's folk organise a concert in the church every Wednesday evening from around July 1st - August 12th, all genres of music can be heard i.e. blues, folk, jazz and classical music, in a warm and relaxing atmosphere.
Art is not the only attraction in Seyðisfjörður. Depending on the season, one can choose from many outdoor activities i.e. fishing, diving, paragliding, skiing, golfing, kayaking and hiking. If you wish to do something inside, you can visit the technical museum or the Fjardasel power plant.
The Skálanes nature reserve is found just twenty kilometers from Seyðisfjörður and is owned and managed by Ólafur Pétursson and his family, working alongside a variety of staff from the local community and abroad. The people at Skálanes are working towards making the nature reserve more sustainable through agriculture and also manufacture quilts, brew beer and make honey.
Joanne, Visiticelands.blogspot.com
