Friends of "Sagenhaftes Island"
Friends of "Sagenhaftes Island" Society established in Germany
At the beginning of December a group of Germans and Icelanders founded the “Sagenhaftes Island” society. The society's aim is to support the numerous cultural projects that are planned in Germany on the occasion of Iceland being Guest of Honour at the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair. According to the society's charter, its role is to:
- promote exhibitions in the fields of Icelandic visual arts, photography, film, design and architecture in Germany.
- promote and organise conferences, meetings, lectures and readings linked to Icelandic literary presentation in Germany.
- raise money for this purpose using membership fees, sponsorship and various grants.
The first society chair is Ólafur Davíðsson, Iceland's outgoing ambassador to Germany, while Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former president of Iceland, is Honorary President and Patron. All Iceland's consuls in Germany have undertaken to support the society. The society's headquarters is in Berlin. The membership fee for a Friend is 100 euros; for 500 euros one can be a Patron, receiving special mention on the Sagenhaftes Island website; and for 1000 euros one can be an Honorary Member, with a special mention at Iceland's exhibition stand at the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair.
The Sagenhaftes Island project wholeheartedly welcomes the establishment of this society. Iceland's participation at Frankfurt in 2011 is largely funded by the Icelandic state. The devaluation of the Icelandic króna has, however, created problems for the project, while at the same time there is clearly great interest in Germany in Iceland's contribution to arts and literature. The Friends will make it possible for Iceland to carry the project through with due excellence and distinction.
Become a member here.