The Centre for Puppet Arts in Borgarnes has announced that due to difficult economic times, they will have to shut down.
The centre had featured not just puppet shows, but also a museum and workshops, and was run by Bernd Ogrodnik and Hildur M Jónsdóttir. Skessuhorn reports that the couple issued an announcement that they will unfortunately have to shutter their doors.
The main reason for the closing is “the national economic situation,” citing the lack of any sort of government funding, as well as Icelanders simply not having the spare money for entertainment, let alone for petrol to drive out in the country.
Despite the closure, the couple say that their work itself has not come to an end. The show Gamli maðurinn, which was intended for performance at the centre, will instead be performed at the Reykjavík Arts Festival on May 20.
The couple regret having to leave behind the setting, and especially hope that the historical house at Englendingavík will be well taken care of in their absence. In addition, Iceland’s economy has compelled the couple to try their luck in Canada. They hope to be able to return to Iceland two or three times a year, and possibly even move back some day. “We thank you for a great time in Borgarnes,” they said. “We’ve made a lot of good friends here, and worked with some fine people. We say good-bye with a heavy heart, but with hopes for a bright and pleasant future.”
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