News

“Sagenhaftes Island” society established in Germany

At the beginning of December 2009 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 Chairman is Ólafur Davíðsson, Iceland's outgoing ambassador to Germany, with Mrs. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former president of Iceland, as Honorary President and Patron. All Iceland's consuls in Germany have promised to support the society. The society's headquarters is in Berlin. The basic subscription is 100 euros; for 500 euros one can become a Patron, getting a special mention on the Sagenhaftes Island home page; and for 1000 euros one can become an Honorary Member, with a special mention at Iceland's exhibition stand at the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair.

 

The Sagenhaftes Island project welcomes the establishment of this society wholeheartedly. 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. This support company will make it possible for Iceland to carry the project through with due excellence and distinction.

 

You can become a member by registering here.