The annual festival week Saeluvika began in the north Icelandic region Skagafjördur on May 1. Locals have organized a diverse art and cultural program with emphasis on music, theater and visual art in addition to education and good food.
Skagafjördur, view of Drangey island. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
Among events is the staging of the play Svefnlausi brúdguminn in Saudárkrókur, a poetry reading in the Saudárkrókur swimming pool and the artist Fridrikka Hermannsdóttir (Rikka) will open an exhibition of her work.
The origins of Saeluvika can be traced back to 1874 when locals celebrated the arrival of the first Icelandic Constitution. In addition to political discourse, people sang and danced, and this event became the basis for the development of celebrations in the region in the coming decades.
Celebrations were regularly held in connection with political events, usually in February, but since 1995 Skagafjördur inhabitants have held a festival at the end of April or early May which is now known as Saeluvika.
The festival will run through May 8.
For further information (in Icelandic), visit the festival’s website.
