Storm helps Iceland eclipse festival prepare for 4,200 guests

About 4,200 people are expected to gather at the Iceland Eclipse festival in Hellissandur, beneath Snæfellsjökull glacier, to watch a total solar eclipse, mbl.is reports.

The five day festival began on Tuesday and has brought together visitors from around the world, along with Icelandic and international musicians, scientists, spiritual leaders and others.

“The atmosphere has been absolutely incredible,” organiser Jón Bjarni Steinsson told mbl.is. He said people began arriving at the campsites on Sunday and had enjoyed exceptionally good weather over the past two days.

The organisers have permission for 3,750 guests, but expect about 4,200 people, including artists and staff, to be present when the sky darkens during the total eclipse.

Most of those attending are foreign visitors who bought their tickets a year ago and have spent considerable time planning the experience. Many are also taking sightseeing trips around the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

Steinsson said the storm that disrupted preparations for the festival had ultimately helped the organisers. Winds of 20 metres per second prevented supplies from being transported to the site for two days, providing what he called an effective stress test. Once the storm passed, the remaining work became much easier.

The festival programme includes concerts and ceremonies from different cultural traditions. One of the stages is inside a spherical tent, while figures representing Icelandic guardian spirits stand watch at Traðir in Hellissandur, where the festival is being held.