The Programme of Sail Húsavík – July 16 – 23 2011
Saturday July 16
16:00 – 17:00 At the harbour area
Harbour walk – come and enjoy the atmosphere
MS-Sjøkurs, a sail training vessel from Kristiansand, Norway, enters harbour with sailing yachts and vessels from Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, and Germany. Local accordion players welcome guests at the harbour. We encourage everyone to come and view the ships.
20:00 – 21:30 At the harbour area
The opening ceremony of Sail Húsavík.
Greetings from Bergur Elías Ágústsson, the mayor of Norðurþing, and Per Inge Lindquist, the chairman of Sail Húsavík. Dag Wernø Holter, Norway‘s ambassador, officially declares the Sail Húsavík festival open.
A concert with The North Iceland Symphony Orchestra and tenor Kristján Jóhannsson.
Sunday July 17
09:00 – 20:00 At the harbour area
Exhibitions are being prepared and opened.
Watch a boathouse being built, artisans preparing their exhibitions, and join in the activities.
11:00 – 12:00 On board Húni II.
A seamen’s service.
12:00 – 13:00 At the festival tent
Stories from the sea.
Interviewing people with an extensive knowledge on everything concerning coastal culture. Today’s hosts are Dag Wernø Holter, Norway‘s ambassador to Iceland with Tore Friis-Olsen from The Coastal Culture Association of Norway, and a leading arranger of the MS Sjøkurs sailing. Questions from the audience are welcomed. Guests can bye delicious fish soup from Naustið.
16:00 – 18:00 On board the MS Sjøkurs
The Ocean Beckons
Icelandic music is played from vinyl records , celebrating the Icelandic seafaring traditions. These songs have been very popular with both fishermen and their loved ones all over the Nordic region, many also enjoying general popularity. The songs are presented with tidbits of information on the music and lyrics, the artists and the spirit of the times. Kristján Frímann is our host.
17:00 – 18:00 At the Húsavík church
A concert with vocalist Rannveig Káradóttir.
20:00 – 22:00 At the festival stage
Icelandic and Faroese folk dancing.
22:00 – 23:00 At the festival tent
A concert with Blágresi and Einar Már
They play melodic bluegrass to the poems of Einar Már.
Daily
09:00 – 20:00 At Gardarsholmur
Westward – An exhibition.
This exhibition is a joint effort of artists from Iceland, Shetland and Norway, and is sponsored by Nordic funds. Up to around 1300 AD, the Western Atlantic Ocean was a unified cultural region, the ocean offering ways for communications and Bergen being the main commercial centre. One can still see traces of this common cultural heritage in the language, traditions and material culture of the inhabitants, and the artists base their seven works of art on this heritage. The visual artist Málfríður Aðalsteinsdóttir is the curator and initiator of the art project, but also participating are Elsie-Ann Hochlin and Johannes Vemren Rygh from Norway, Guðjón Ketilsson and Kristín Reynisdóttir from Iceland, and Barbara Ridland and Roxane Permar from Shetland.
09:00 – 20:00 By Gardarsholmur
Hunters of the North – A photography exhibition.
RAX or Ragnar Axelsson exhibits his photographs taken in his expedition to Greenland 2010.
09:00 – 20:00 At Gardarsholmur
The Story of Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland – A photography exhibition by Ragnar TH.
09:00 – 00:00 At the harbour area
A photography exhibition – Hafþór Hreiðarsson and Pétur Jónasson. They exhibit photos of Húsavík, the bay of Skjálfandi, the coast, nature, and boats.
11:00 – 18:00 At the Visir house
Living handicraft, a workshop where you can see the local artisans working in wood, weaving, knitting, crocheting and so on, and you can also buy their products.
09:00 – 18:00 At the harbour area
The Reykhólar Boat Museum – an exhibition on boat building.
09:00 – 18:00 At the shrimp factory’s assembly room
Húsavík Visual Arts Club exhibits.
Paintings on coastal culture and other subjects, painted in the winter of 2010-11.
09:00 – 18:00 At the Húsavík Academic Center
Art Exhibition – Lárus H List.
09:00 -19:00 At the Whale Museum
An enticing and informative exhibition on the world’s largest animals.
10:00 – 12:00
A kayaking course for beginners arranged by Seakayak Reykjavík, registration: msig@simnet.is / 8973386
14:00 – 16:00
A kayaking course for the more experienced arranged by Seakayak Reykjavík, registration: msig@simnet.is / 8973386
11:00 – 18:00 At the harbour area
An interesting market with emphasis on the diverse local products – foods, handicraft, and design, from for instance Fjallalamb in Kópasker, Viðbót in Húsavík, and Vogafjós in Mývatnssveit.
10:00 – 16:00 At Gardarsholmur
Garðarsstofa – open every day during the festival. Coffee and information on nature and how man has helped form it.
10:00 – 18:00 Húsavík Museum Centre, Þingeyjasýsla’s cultural centre.
The ground floor houses an interesting exhibition on local archaeological research and the different excavations. Focus is on an interesting boat pagan grave discovered at Litlu-Núpar in 2007.
A photography exhibition of the works of Bárður Sigurðsson opens on July 8th in the art hall on 3rd floor of the Museum Centre. Sigurðsson was a photographer in Mývatnssveit in the beginning of the 20th century. His beautiful photos give us an incomparable view of the Icelandic peasant society and its culture.
Guided tours at the Museum Centre, monday July 18th and wednesday July 20th at 11:10. Guided tours at Grenjaðarstaður tuesday July 19th and thursday July 21st at 15:00 in english and/or danish.
10:00 – 17:00 At the old fishermen’s huts
“Listasviðasulta” – Art exhibition.
Listasviðasulta Art Exhibition is back, full of life and new works. This year 5 local artists and designers from different fields of specialty are lining up together, making this a varied and exciting event. At the exhibition you can find photographs, drawings, paintings, jewelry an utilitarian ceramic objects. From July 21st the exhibition will open at 14:00.
09:00 – 18:00 At the Vísir house
The Norwegian and Swedish exhibitions are open every day. They are as follows:
- The anniversary sailing to Iceland in 1974. A documentary, a photography exhibition and a lecture on two Norwegian sea rowing boats (femboering/fembøring) that sailed from Norway to Iceland in 1974 to celebrate the settlement in Iceland that began 1100 years ago.
- The wealth of coastal culture, from Vega World heritage Museum on the west coast of Norway
- Cultural heritage and the creation of value. This is a historical exhibition on the gathering of eiderdown, fishing gear and drying houses.
- The Halsnøy boat – two millennia of boat building
- An exhibition and a documentary on the Halsnøy boat, one of the oldest wooden boats ever found in Scandinavia, from around 100-300 AD. Boats like that were stringed together with tow made from linden trees and rowed with oars. The first and only replica was built in Sunnhordland, Norway, in 2008.
- Tow work, some of the oldest tow work traditions in Europe
- From prehistoric times to our times. Jan Steinsland makes tow from trees with very simple tools.
- Shark fishing / Longlining for dogfish
A documentary, pictures and words on the development of the line fishing of shark in the 20th century in Sogn and the fjords in Norway. The explanatory text is both in Norwegian and English. - Traditions in the domestic production
The artisans Arthur Johansen, Lisbeth Skranes, and Sonja Isaksen work on handicraft and the domestic tradition, weaving, knitting, felting, net making, repairing and other handicraft connected to the workingman’s cottages. - My ocean – my coast
An exhibition – the paintings of Signar N. Bengtsson from Blekinge in Sweden. Signar is one of his region’s best known painters. - Handicrafts through the centuries – tow makers at work
Sten Swedlund, Bo Lindahl, and Lars-Gunnar Hult show us how ropes and cables were made at the Karlskrona shipyard from 1680 and into the 20th century.
Seabirdhunting, food and ropery history
Whale watching with Norðursigling, departures daily at 8:50 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM, and 8:15 PM.
Sailing with Norðursigling to Lundey (Puffin Island); bird and whale watching. If the wind is right, we hoist the sails and turn the motor off. Departures daily at 9:30 AM, and 4:30 PM. More information, dial +354 464 7272 or click on info@nordursigling.is
Whale Watching with Gentle Giants, departures daily at 8:45 AM. 9:45 AM, 12:00 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:45 PM, and 8:15 PM.
Puffin watching with Gentle Giants, departures daily at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 6:00 PM. More information, dial +354 464 1500 or click on info@gentlegiants.is.
Monday July 18
09:00 – 11:30 At Gardarshólmur
A seminar: What is Coastal culture?
The concept Coastal culture is a rather young concept in the Nordic languages. What is coastal culture and how can the countries make use of their common heritage?
- Boats and traditions in handicraft. Jon Bojer Godal, writer and an expert on boats and traditions in handicraft.
- Danish coastal culture. Poul-Erik Clausen, chairman of the Danish Association on coastal culture and wooden boats
- The influence of the Maritime Heritage on the National Economy, Per-Inge Lindquist, from European Maritime Heritage.
11:00 – 12:00 At the Skansinn
Entertainment for Children – Duo Stemma.
Herdís Anna Jónsdóttir (viola) and Steef van Oosterhout (percussion), both members of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, have written an amusing and informative programme for children of all ages.
12:00 – 13:00 At the festival tent
Stories from the sea.
Interviewing people with an extensive knowledge on everything concerning coastal culture. Einar Már Guðmundsson reads poems. Questions from the audience welcomed. Guests can buy delicious fish soup from Naustið.
13:00 – 15:00 At the shrimp factory’s assembly room
Húsavík Visual Arts Club invites children to paint their masterpieces.
13:00 – 15:00 At Gardarsholmur
A lecture by Dr Marianne Rasmussen marine biologist on the communication of Odontoceti (toothed whales).
14:30 – 16:00 At Gardarsholmur
The anniversary sailing to Iceland in 1974
A documentary and a lecture on two Norwegian sea rowing boats (femboering/fembøring) that sailed from Norway to Iceland in 1974 to celebrate the settlement in Iceland that began 1100 years ago.
16:00 – 20:00 On board Húni II
Landlega (Staying ashore) – Tow splicing.
Able seamen show and teach splicing and different tricks with tow and ropes. Ingi Pétursson and Ellert Guðjónsson show and teach visitors how to tie knots and splice. In earlier times fishermen often had to stay ashore during bad weather, because the boats were generally smaller and susceptive to bad weather. The crew then used the free time to fix broken things or prepare things for later use. They also enjoyed their day off, and played cards or the accordion.
16:00 – 18:00 On board MS Sjøkurs
The Ocean Beckons.
Icelandic music is played from vinyl records, celebrating the Icelandic seafaring traditions. These songs have been very popular with both fishermen and their loved ones all over the Nordic region, many also enjoying general popularity. The songs are presented with tidbits of information on the music and lyrics, the artists and the spirit of the times. Kristján Frímann is our host.
17:00 – 19:00 At Gardarsholmur
Gardarsholmur sets sail.
Gardarsholmur officially sets sail. The ceremony is open for everyone. Addresses are made by:
Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, Timo Summa, EU’s ambassador to Iceland and Anders Ljungren, Sweden’s ambassador to Iceland.
Ragnheiður Gröndal & Ylfingarnir give a concert.
20:00 – 22:00 At Gardarsholmur
Living on the edge. A documentary, filmed largely at Húsavík, describing the forces of nature and how people interact with them; the geothermal heat, the fish, and other resources of Iceland.
20:30 – 22:30 At the festival tent
Local accordion musicians play a few merry songs.
Tuesday July 19
9:30 – 12:00 At Gardarsholmur
Garðarsbrunnur (The Well of Garðar)
A series of lectures on Garðarsholmutd’s theme; the co-evolution of man and nature. Speakers:
- Professor Kirsten Hastrup, The University of Copenhagen,
- Guðrún Pétursdóttir, director of The Sæmundur fróði Institution,
- Stephan Barthel, Stockholm Resilience Centre,
- Þröstur Eysteinsson, division manager of the National Forests in Iceland,
- Sveinn Runólfsson, director of Institute of Land Restoration,
- Ari Trausti Guðmundsson, scientist and writer.
10:00 – 13:00 Check-in at Sail Húsavík information centre
A theatre workshop – part one.
An improvisational theatre workshop for kids, 10-13 years old, check-in at the information centre. Two days with stress on the basic techniques of acting, and the participants learn how to make stories and theatre through improvising. The workshop ends with a short performance for the participants’ friends and families. Part two takes place Wednesday July 20th. You register in the information centre or at skraning@sailhusavik.is / +354 847-3454. The workshop fee is ISK 2,500, and siblings get 10% off.
12:00 – 13:00 At the festival tent
Stories from the sea
Interviewing people with an extensive knowledge on everything concerning coastal culture. Today’s hosts are Rita Johansen from Verdensarv Vega (The World Heritage Museum) on Norway’s west coast, and Sif Jóhannsdóttir. Questions from the audience are welcomed. Guests can buy delicous fish soup from Naustið.
13:00 – 15:00 At the Whale Museum
An exciting Whale School for children 8 years or older.
13:00 – 15:00 Gardarsholmur
A seminar: Footprints from the shore.
Along the coast we find footprints from older times. Do we know our own history and the possibilities it provides?
- Man and the Ocean. Magnús A. Sigurðsson, archaeologist at The Archaeological Heritage Agency of Iceland.
- Some thoughts on a Swedish coast. Signar N. Bengtsson, artist, writer, and fisherman.
- A house by the sea. Magnús Skúlason, architect at The National Architectural Heritage Board.
- The world heritage in Vega. Rita Johansen, director of the Vega World heritage Museum on the west coast of Norway.
13:30 – 15:00 At the Húsavík lighthouse
Whale studies at the bay of Skjálfandi, and a field trip to Húsavík lighthouse with Dr. Marianne Rasmussen as our guide.
Meeting point at the Húsavík Academic Center.
16:00 –20:00 On board Húni II
Landlega (Staying ashore) – The building of a boat.
Þorsteinn Pétursson presents Húni II, tells the story of the boat, how she was built and her maintenance. Þorsteinn also talks about ship building in Akureyri. The guests get a chance to practice tearing hemp.
16:00 – 17:00 At Gardarsholmur
The Eruption!, a film by Valdimar Leifsson, presented by Ari Trausti Guðmundsson.
16:00 – 18:00 On board the MS Sjøkurs
The Ocean Beckons
Icelandic music is played from vinyl records, celebrating the Icelandic seafaring traditions. These songs have been very popular with both fishermen and their loved ones all over the Nordic region, many also enjoying general popularity. The songs are presented with tidbits of information on the music and lyrics, the artists and the spirit of the times. Kristján Frímann is our host.
18:00 – 23:00 Skjálfandi Bay
Settlement sailing in a sailboat directly to Náttfaravík, where the participants can bring something for the barbeque. Open for everybody, registration: info@nordursigling.is and at tel.: +354 464 7272.
20:00 – 22:00: At Gardarsholmur
Roðlaust og beinlaust (No skin, no bones).
A documentary from 2009 by Ingvar Þórisson.
20:00 – 21:00 At the festival tent
A concert with Kristjana Arngrímsdóttir.
21:00 – 22:00 At the festival tent
Brother Grass – a concert in the festival tent.
Wednesday July 20
09:00 – 11:30 At Gardarsholmur
A seminar: Boats and boat building.
Each region in Scandinavia has its own traditions in boat building, and the nations also have preserved their seafaring cultural heritage, each in its own way.
- Geitbåten from Nordmøre, Norway, and other boats from the West Nordic region. Jon Bojer Godal, writer and an expert on boats and traditions in handicraft.
- Traditions in boat building in Blekinge. Christina Berup, Curator of the County Museum of Blekinge, Sweden.
- Commerce with boats across the North Sea. Kjell Magnus Økland, champion sailer, writer and journalist.
- Traditions in Faroese boat building. Captain Bjarni Brattaberg.
- The preserving of boats in Iceland – present and future. Ágúst Georgsson, National Museum of Iceland.
10:00 – 13:00 Check in at Sail Húsavík information centre
Theatre workshops for kids, 10-13 years old, part two. The workshop finishes off with a performance.
11:00 – 12:00 At the Skansinn
For children – Duo Stemma
Entertainment for children, Herdís Anna Jónsdóttir (viola) and Steef van Oosterhout (percussion), both members of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, have written an amusing and informative programme for children of all ages.
12:00 – 13:00 At the festival tent
Stories from the sea.
Interviewing people with an extensive knowledge on everything concerning coastal culture. Today’s hosts are Jon Bojer Godal and Hafliði Aðalsteinsson, shipbuilder and leader of the Reykhólar Boat Museum Association. Questions from the audience are welcomed. Guests can buy delicious fish soup from Naustið.
13:00 – 15:00 At Gardarsholmur
A lecture by Arved Fuchs, the protector of Sail Húsavík and a champion sailer.
13:00 – 15:00 At Tún, Stórigarður
An express brain-storming with the cultural society Úti á túni. Registration: skraning@sailhusavik.is / +354 847-3454.
14:30 – 16:00 Gardarsholmur
Súðbyrðingur (The clinker built boat).
A documentary from 2010 by Ásdís Thoroddsen.
16:00 – 20:00 On board Húni II
Landlega (Staying ashore) – The story of boat building in Akureyri and the Eyjafjörður region.
Árni B. Árnason discusses boat building in the Eyjafjörður region and in North Iceland, and presents information he has collected on his website on boat building.
20:30 – 22:00 At the festival tent
The fishermen’s radio concert with Stulli and Gómar. Guest of honor will be the esteemed Icelandic singer Helena Eyjólfsdóttir and Aníta Elefsen will be in charge of the event.
22:00 – 23:00 At the festival tent
Local accordion musicians play a few merry songs.
Thursday July 21
08:00 – 23:00
Sailing with Húni II to Siglufjörður. registration: info@sailhusavik.is / +354 847-3454.
09:00 – 11:30 Gardarsholmur
A seminar: Tradition and folk belief.
Fishermen and others living by the coast often have their own folk beliefs and stick to their traditions.
- Monsters of the sea. Þorvaldur Friðriksson, writer and radio programmer.
- Traditions in the Faroe Islands. Dana Dalsgaard, nurse.
- Greenlandic traditions and folk belief. Birgitte Sonne, lecturer at the Institute for Eskimologie at Copenhagen University.
- Ethymological and superstitional thoughts In the Nordic language. Per-Inge Lindquist, Karlskrona Maritime Museum and chairman of The Swedish Sailing Boats Association.
10:00 – 12:00 At the Whale Museum
An exciting Whale School for children 8 years or older.
12:00 – 13:00 At the festival tent
Stories from the sea.
Interviewing people with an extensive knowledge on everything concerning coastal culture. Questions from the audience are welcomed. Guests can buy delicious fish soup from Naustið.
13:00 – 15:00 At the shrimp factory’s assembly room
Húsavík Visual Arts Club invites children to paint their masterpieces.
13:30 – 14:00 Gardarsholmur
A lecture by Dr Marianne Rasmussen marine biologist on the communication of Mysticeti (baleen whales).
14:30 – 16:00 At Gardarsholmur
Living on the edge. A documentary, filmed largely at Húsavík, describing the forces of nature and how people interact with them; the geothermal heat, the fish, and other resources of Iceland.
20:00 – 23:00 At the festival stage
Official opening ceremony: Mærudagar festival
Processions meet from the three neighbourhoods of Húsavík. The Mærudagar festival programme is published in a special brochure.
20:00 – 22:00 At Gardarsholmur
Súðbyrðingur (The clinker built boat). A documentary film by Ásdís Thoroddsen.
21:00 – 22:00 At the festival tent
Svavar Knútur with a show for the whole family.
22:30: – 23:00 At North Sailing’s Pier
Gabrielle, a German writer, discusses her writings on board a whale watching boat.
Friday July 22
09:00 – 11:30 At Gardarsholmur
A seminar: Handicraft and food.
Handicraft and food traditions by the coast.
- The cultural heritage of the herring. Leif Stenholm, National Heritage Board-Marinmuseum, Sweden.
- The pilot whale. Bjarni Pétursson from Faroe Islands.
- Tow making (Repslageri) an international importance. Sten Swedlund, from the historical society of shipyards and the Maritime Museums of Sweden.
- Sjökvarteriet in Mariehamn and boat building. Ebba Nordlund, Sjökvarteriet in Mariehamn, Aaland Islands.
- Dried fish – the Nordic tradition. Mads Holm, food scientist and project leader, The Nordic House, Reykjavik.
10:00 – 12:00 At the Pier
Fishing competition. In Cooperation with Naustið. Meeting point at Naustið.
11:00 – 14:00 In the harbour
Regatta. The exact location depends on the weather. All sailboats visiting Húsavík will participate.
12:00 – 13:00 At the festival tent
Stories from the sea.
Interviewing people with an extensive knowledge on everything concerning coastal culture. Guests can buy delicous fish soup from Naustið.
16:00 – 20:00 On board Húni II
Landlega (Staying ashore) – Landleguvalsinn (A waltz for staying ashore).
Accordion and singing with the participation of our guests. The accordion players Númi Adólfsson og Kristján frá Gilhagi play popular fishermen’s songs and lead an Icelandic sing-along.
17:00- 19:00 At the Old Cinema
A folk music gathering - Mærudagar festival invites you.
20:00 – 21:30 At the soccer field
Völsungur – Fram. Women’s 1. division football.
20:00 – 23:00 At the festival stage
A concert.
Performances by Hjaltalín, Raggi Bjarna and many others.
Saturday July 23
Today the programmes of Sail Húsavík and Mærudagar festival intertwine with amongst other things a Tivoli, and a running competition and attractions and rides for children.
10:00 – 11:30 The starting at Húsavík church.
A pilgrim walk
10:00 – 14:00
Fast fishing competition: Gentle Giants and GPG fish production.
13:00 – 18:00 At the harbour area
The Harbour Market – Húsavík women’s society.
13:00 – 14:00 At the Park
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Lotta theatre group.
15:00 – 17:00
The Ram Show
15:30 – 17:00 At Suðurfjara beach
Grani’s horse show
16:00 – 18:00 At the soccer field
Völsungur – ÍH. Men’s second division football.
17:00 – 18:00 At the Park
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Lotta theatre group.
20:00 – 21:00 At Suðurfjara beach
A bonfire and sing-along for the whole family.
21:00 – 01:00 At the festival stage
A concert
The programme is subject to changes and additions. A more extensive programme for Sail Húsavík can be found in the Information Centre of Sail Húsavík, as well as on the festival’s website.
The Mærudagar festival programme is published in a special brochure.
