SAGA
MOVEMENT

SAGA MOVEMENT uses the powers of creativity to build the resilience of local communities, connect people to others and to their environment.

Inspired by the Icelandic sagas and based in an ecological farm, the NGO fosters the social inclusion of rural populations by promoting spontaneity and spirit of initiative.

CULTURAL TRADITIONS
& MODERNITY

Science has proven that nature is a trigger for creativity. SAGA MOVEMENT enables deep experiences where audiences connect with different natural sites in Iceland, to draw inspiration.

There are no hierarchies at SAGA MOVEMENT: events are focused on community spirit and allow the public to take direct part in creating the collective experience. Some experiences are designed with months of preparation, others are spontaneous and produced on the day of the event by community members.

ARTS INSPIRED BY NATURE

GREEN TRAVEL

Conscious of our ecological footprint, our European program aims at imagining alternative and sustainable travel options among the participants. We developed the youth exchange by this principle and strive to find alternative options for greener travel. What made this exchange special is the environmentally-friendly journey undertaken – instead of flying, we opted for slow travel to Iceland, aboard the cargo-ferry MS Norröna operated by Smyril Lines.

Smyril Lines, known for its commitment to sustainable sea practices, provides a unique experience as the cargo-ferry MS Norröna navigates through the North sea and the Atlantic ocean. The journey itself becomes an educational experience, highlighting the importance of responsible travel and the impact of human activities on the environment. With its green initiatives and commitment to sustainability, every day at sea serves as a reminder that travel can be both enriching and environmentally conscious.

As the cargo-ferry sails through deep waters, making its way to the Icelandic coast, cultural exchange and friendship blossom in a dynamic process. The ship's common areas transform into hubs of dialogue, where participants share stories and dreams. Language, no longer a barrier, becomes an opportunity for participants to communicate in a kaleidoscope of tongues. As one embarks on this slow journey, the cargo-ferry becomes not just a vessel but a symbolic bridge connecting two distant yet interconnected worlds.

While cargo travel may not be as fast or accessible as other modes of transportation, it offers a more sustainable option for those willing to prioritize a lower environmental impact over speed, price and convenience. The shipping industry is increasingly aware of its environmental impact, and there is a growing trend towards adopting green technologies and practices. It aligns with the growing awareness of the importance of sustainable travel choices in reducing the overall carbon footprint associated with such youth exchange projects.

Cargo ships tend to have lower emissions, operate at slower speeds and use larger engines that are more fuel-efficient. Unlike air travel, which emits pollutants into the atmosphere, cargo ships primarily emit pollutants into the water. While marine emissions are a concern, they are generally lower on a per-unit basis compared to air travel. Traveling by cargo often means a less consumer-oriented experience compared to traditional travel options, leading to fewer single-use plastics and other disposable items associated with passenger services.

According to the open-source Green Ferries project, the MS Norröna is listed as class A: it consumes less CO₂ emissions per passenger per km than a riding a car with 2 passengers.

In the meantime, other ships around the world have a very heavy carbon print, with many cruise ships emitting up to 4 times more CO₂ per passenger than a plane !

SAGA FEST

Based on traditional Icelandic sagas, SAGA MOVEMENT is a local initiative committed to reconnect people to each other, and to their environment. Activities are hosted in an ecological farm near Eyrarbakki, a village on the Icelandic coast. On the program, SAGA FEST is offering exciting workshops for the local communities on various subjects: organic farming and rhubarb micro-brewery, Icelandic horse and dog breeding, Icelandic wool crafts, artistic ateliers and performances, construction of a scenography and instruments with recycled materials, along with the discovery of local folklore — the sagas !

FOOD SECURITY & NATURAL RESOURCES

4-day course: Food security and natural resources of pre-modern Iceland. With its location at the periphery of the habitable world Icelanders were challenged by short growing season and multiple natural disturbances such as severely harsh climate, volcanic eruptions, and soil erosion. During the most challenging times, sea ice decreased the productivity of the ecosystems the community depended on and blocked, often resulting in severe famines, the last one being in the 1880s. Until modern times Icelanders practiced subsistence farming and gathering of wild plants and algae for sustenance. This course covers lectures on the historical food security of Iceland and the affects of climate change and climate variability on these resources. Furthermore, the lectures cover how these issues affect indigenous communities inhabiting the high Arctic facing current climate change challenges. The students will learn how to ID the plant and algae species which were important food sources in the past and sustainably harvest them in nature, how to cook them in traditional way and how to incorporate them into modern day agriculture.

VINKELDAN

Vinkeldan (the Wine fountain) is a micro-brewery project with wild Icelandic plants and ancestral know-how. There have been written sources of winemaking in Iceland since the 1200s. We are reviving recipes that disappeared with the import of foreign cheap wine and beer to Iceland, following the end of the alcohol ban in 1989. The main focus of the project is to make rhubarb sparkling wine with wild yeast. We have gotten a similar results than the wine from old texts, a kind of port-like blueberry wine. With minor production mistakes this year, the aim for full market release will be late 2024.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

We have visited various natural locations across south Iceland:

Kerið volcanic crater, one of the most visually stunning geological wonders in the country. This 6,500 years old vibrant blue gem surrounded by red volcanic rock is 55m deep and 170m wide, and 270m across.
Skógafoss waterfall, an impressive fall of 62 meters of height and 25 meters of width.
Gljúfrabúi waterfall (the Canyon Dweller), a beautiful waterfall hidden in a narrow canyon.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and its large cavern drawn by the cliffs surrounding the 65m tall fall that allows travellers to do the full tour on foot...

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

In parrallel, we visited several cultural venues of the capital:

Harpa, an artistic centre one of Reykjavík’s most striking social and cultural landmarks in the very heart of the city. Harpa holds regular events with world-famous musicians, dance groups, theatre companies, digital art exhibitions and hosts the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Icelandic Opera, Reykjavík Big Band, Múlinn Jazz club...
Lava Show, an educational and unique immersive experience that recreates a volcanic eruption by superheating real lava up to 1100°C and then pouring it into a showroom full of people.
Various museums, such as: Kjarvalsstaðir - Musée d’art de Reykjavik, Hið Íslenzka Reðasafn, Reykjavik Punk Museum...