Volunteers turn Hafnarfjörður library into five fantasy worlds

More than 50 volunteers have transformed Hafnarfjörður Library into five adventure worlds for the Heimar og himingeimar costume and gaming festival, mbl.is reports. The festival runs from September 4 to 6, with more than 30 workshops and events. Admission and participation are free.

The festival combines costumes, games and creativity. Visitors can explore a fantasy world, a historical world and a dedicated workshop space, as well as the Stjörnuspillir, a spaceship created by the 501st Legion that attracted attention at last year’s festival.

“We will be here until late at night, but I can definitely tell you there is a kind of Christmas atmosphere here,” Unnur Helga Möller, the festival’s project manager, said. “Just spaceships and adventure tents instead of a Christmas tree.”

Spaceship becomes part of a full base

The 501st Legion’s spaceship has been rebuilt in a new location this year and will form part of a complete base in the new premises of Hafnarfjörður Library in Firði. Visitors can enter the ship and experience a world inspired by Star Wars.

Members of the 501st Legion, an international group of enthusiasts who create and wear accurate costumes from the Star Wars universe, will attend the festival in costume. The Icelandic chapter is taking part.

Volunteers built the spaceship, which festival organisers said attracted so much attention last year that the group was invited to bring it to a festival abroad.

“They are simply a fantastic group,” Möller said. “Whether it is a spaceship, an adventure tavern or bounty hunters’ hideouts, I do not stop them from being creative. It is just fun to be a little crazy together.”

A place for shared interests

Volunteers are involved in most aspects of the festival, including building sets and props, preparing costumes and workshops, and welcoming visitors.

Möller said an important part of the festival was creating a place where people could meet around their interests and express their creativity.

“This is their world. But the most important part of the interest is opening it up to others. Everyone is a kind of ‘nerd’, and far too many people want to do something outside the usual framework but somehow cannot find a place to do it.”

She said people could sometimes be shy or unsure where to find such a community. “It is our job to create this place, for everyone,” she said.