Vanishing culture
©Vigur Island in the West-Fjord, 2009
Living in the West-Fjords
© Aedey island, 2008
Wild goslings are flocked like sheep's. They are getting prepared to be put into a gosling house over the night. The farmer raises them up for one year and they are used as food for the farm, Aedey island.
The deep fjord Isafjardardjup, western part of Iceland. This project depicts the life of the farmers, abandoned farms and the landscape of one the oldest farming communities in Iceland.
The deep fjord Isafjardardjup, western part of Iceland. This project depicts the life of the farmers, abandoned farms and the landscape of one the oldest farming communities in Iceland.
© Wintertime in the deep fjords of Iceland, 2007
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© The last pastor in the West-Fjords, 2005
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© Morning time at the farm in Vigur island, 2009
© The kids have lunch after harvesting eiderdown, 2008
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© The farmer, Adalsteinn from Strandseljum, 2005
© Sheep round-up in West Fjords, 2009
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© Ragna Adalsteinsdottir, a farmer at Laugabol, 2006
© Abandoned farm in Mjoifjord, 2006
© Sigmundur Sigmundsson, farmer Latrum. One of few remaining, 2005
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© The last farmers at Nauteyri, 2006
© Kristjan at Hvitanesi has sold all his stock but remains in his farm, 2006
© The farmer in Aedey island, 2008
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© Salvar Hákonarson farmer in Reykjafjörður, 2006
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© Kristjan Petursson and his wife Heidrun Kristjansdottir farmers in Svansvik, (standing behind ) grandson Kristjan Rafn. 2006
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© Vigur island, 2009
In springtime, the Arctic Tern migrates from the Antarctic to Iceland, flying 36.000 km twice a year. Its welcomed by farmers in the West Fjords, for the protection it brings. The farmers boy is attacked by a flock of terns when walking in there habitat on the island of Vigur in the West-Fjords.
© Mjoifjordur, 2007
Abandoned farmhouse and the remains of a small wooden rowing boat lies still in the snow. What used to be home and places for families for centuries are now only reminders of history, in Mjoifjordur.
The deep fjord Isafjardardjup, western part of Iceland. This project depicts the life of the farmers, deserted farms and the landscape of one the oldest farming communities in Iceland. Where hardship and harsh weather conditions have put a mark on their daily life from the times of the first settlers in Iceland. The area is isolated and unspoilt and spectacular in its grandeur. Nevertheless, some farmers still cling to the traditional way of life rooted in the oldest settlement in the country. This community has been under decline in recent years and few farms are now inhabited.
In Iceland as elsewhere in the world people seek to the bigger towns and cities for more opportunities in their daily life. What connects this declining farming community close to the Arctic Circle is that the same trend can be seen globally; traditions, heritage and knowledge die out since there is no one to take over the family farm.
This is the story of the inhabitants, the farmers and there surroundings, who live in a remote part of Iceland. Its one of the oldest farming community's in Iceland, dating back to the settlers time. This remote cultural landscape is transformed, the organic relationship between humans and nature as well as the loss of know-how and the passing away of traditional culture is inevitable.
In Iceland as elsewhere in the world people seek to the bigger towns and cities for more opportunities in their daily life. What connects this declining farming community close to the Arctic Circle is that the same trend can be seen globally; traditions, heritage and knowledge die out since there is no one to take over the family farm.
This is the story of the inhabitants, the farmers and there surroundings, who live in a remote part of Iceland. Its one of the oldest farming community's in Iceland, dating back to the settlers time. This remote cultural landscape is transformed, the organic relationship between humans and nature as well as the loss of know-how and the passing away of traditional culture is inevitable.
Visa Pour l´image in Perpignan France, Campo Santo venue, 1-16 sept. 2012.
