The Westfjords of Iceland are buzzing these days. We regularly hear news about creative projects, and newest thing happening in that field is an online magazine called ÚR VÖR that will be launched in the coming weeks. The duo behind it are Aron Ingi Guðmundsson and Julie Gasiglia who funded and run the culture center HÚSIÐ-Creative Space, in Patreksfjörður. Aron will be the editor, and Julie will manage the website.
The magazine aims to highlight the most creative and innovative projects and initiatives that are rising in the countryside of Iceland. ÚR VÖR will be established in the Westfjords and the focus will naturally lean toward that region, but the two also want to cover as much of the Icelandic countryside as they can.
Inspiring and sharing
Aron and Julie say that they will not cover any news from the capital area of Reykjavík, and that people in the capital can learn a thing or two from the countryside. “Life in the countryside is different than in the city,” he says. “Harsh conditions and difficult challenges stand in our way but there lays our strength, the way we solve problems strengthens us and enriches our life. There are great things happening in the countryside but you often don´t hear about it, it´s just in the local media and not even there. We want to create a venue that inspires other people and allows them to learn from each other instead of having to invent the wheel over and over in different parts of the country.”
The magazine will mainly be in Icelandic, but Aron and Julie aim to introduce a few column in other languages, including English. There will be a few freelance writers and photographers working for ÚR VÖR, and an editorial committee with three members from different part of the country. The magazine will be independent and apolitical, and the focus will be on quality rather than quantity.
A fews days to go
Part of the project is financed through the Icelandic crowd funding platform, Karolina Fund. If you wish to help fund the project, note that there are only a few days left. Click here to see the campaign where you can find more information about the project and be a part of it.
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