Guernsey Press

Alderney arts festival is based on Iceland links

ICELANDIC opera singers, folk musicians and story tellers summoned the spirit of their Viking forebears to conquer foggy weather – and the hearts and minds of Alderney arts lovers.

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Icelandic story teller Ragnheidur Gudmundsdottir at Fort Essex. (Picture by Emma Pinch, 21575800)

This weekend saw Alderney Performing Arts Festival take up residence for the sixth time around the forts, pubs and the Island Hall – and the theme this year was Fire and Ice; Iceland.

Around 30 performers, including opera singer Siv Misund, folk singer Osp, and story teller Ragnheidur Gudmundsdottir, made their way to Alderney for the event.

Planes were grounded by fog on Friday and much of Saturday. However, boat skippers in Guernsey helped out, as did Air Alderney, in an inaugural, although private capacity, making two trips to transport performers from Biggin Hill in their Islanders.

The launch event was Ice and Fire, which featured folk singer Osp singing haunting stories of love and loss, and of the pull of her homeland, in the courtyard at Chateau L’Etoc. Light and technology artists Limbic Cinema projected images evoking the country’s landscape onto the Fort’s walls.

On Saturday night, revellers enjoyed tales from the Icelandic sagas and a traditional Icelandic dish – pork-based rather than puffin – created by Cantina No. 6 which London-based story teller Ragga said reminded her strongly of home.

The weekend also included festival staples such as a folk night with hog roast, and live music on the train.

Sunday night featured a packed gala concert at St Anne’s Church called Northern Lights where four opera singers and Steinway artist Nigel Foster on the piano brought the building alive to powerful arias by Verdi, Puccini and Bizet.

Festival director Caroline Kay-Mouat said weather had provided a few logistical headaches this year, but everyone’s efforts had paid off.

‘We didn’t know if all the performers would get here in time because of the fog, but they all did in the end, although some visitors didn’t make it. I think those who did make it here enjoyed it, and so did Alderney residents.’

She said Iceland held a special charm for Alderney.

‘I chose Iceland as a theme because a lot of people here have been to Iceland. The school takes pupils to Iceland every couple of years on a geography trip and I think people who live on islands are fascinated by how people live on other islands.’

n The event continues today with the harbour festival where live music, food and drink will be served up next to the fishing boats at Braye.