The very first night I arrived in Iceland, and was coaxed to go out for drinks in Reykjavik, it became clear to me that this was a community that embraced the arts. Every little bar, coffee shop, or main stage had live music going on. In fact, every night of the week live music can be found somewhere in the city. Thanks to The Grapevine, a monthly publication that is the holy grail of all things music, nightlife, culture, and the arts in Reykjavik, weekend line-ups and community events are easily accessible. After 3 months living on the island, my appreciation towards all genres of music (and live music in general) grew immensely. The overall admiration and respect geared towards music in Iceland fosters a whole collective of people who believe in the power of the arts. I mean take a look at Iceland Airwaves, Iceland's annual music festival, and the amount of work that is put into providing an international platform for emerging bands and artists to perform. While there are still major names that perform at the festival, the main objective of Airwaves is to cultivate a space for new performers to gain publicity and experience.
While Icelanders truly do love their music, the emphasis on having a creative outlet can be found in flim-making, photography, screen printing, writing, and painting as well. From an early age the arts play an integral role in life and eduction. The connection between quality of life and exposure to music is astounding. This connection spans generations, and positively affects both the youth and the elderly.
The Hitt húsið in Reykjavik is a Youth Center that works with teens and young adults to harness their creativity and generate compelling artistic endeavors. When I learned about the work going on at the Hitt húsið I was highly intrigued, so I sat down with a few of the amazing people behind it all, and got an inside look. You can view the video profile right here on VidBee.
What I found in the environment at the Hitt húsið, and in Iceland as a whole, is a space where young people are encouraged to think visually, communicate musically, and grow as individuals.
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