Culture and the arts promote health.

The Healthy Community project has been running in Hafnarfjörður for five years with various focuses. It is often said that culture matters, and Ágústa Kristófersdóttir, director of Hafnarborg, the cultural and art centre of Hafnarfjörður, looked into projects related to health-promoting culture. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had published a report detailing the health benefits of culture. The first event related to this will be on 1 April.  The local paper, Hafnfirðingur, met Ágústa the other day.  

Visitors of all ages enjoy the exhibitions at Hafnarborg.

„We at Hafnarborg are taking part in Slow Art Day on 4th April, following an international model. We are working with this based on ideas of mindfulness. The idea is to relax and take time to enjoy art. In that preparation, I came across a report by the WHO about the health benefits that culture brings. 900 studies were read and found results about how cultural consumption can have good physical and mental effects,“ says Ágústa, but this has long been of interest to her. „Cultural consumption is cheap and involves little risk. The only downside is that people might get bored, but that is precisely an opportunity for creativity. We are more or less no longer bored, because we are always paying attention to something. Therefore, being bored is an advantage.“ 

Less loneliness and greater sociability

Ágústa adds that, according to the same report, cultural consumption stimulates the senses, increases touch, social interaction and physical activity, and provides cognitive stimulation. „The psychological effects are improved self-awareness and better emotional regulation, and the physiological effects are a reduction in stress hormones, an improved immune system and a stronger cardiovascular system. In terms of social functioning, it contributes to less loneliness, increases social support and improves sociability. We notice that many people who come here interact with the staff, and so it's important that they enjoy the company of people of all ages.“

In Hafnarfjörður, there is a wide range of art events, and there are, for example, outdoor artworks and popular organised cultural walks. „There's a lot we get up to here at Hafnarborg, regardless of languages. For example, interest in her, Antonia Hevesi's, lunchtime concerts has increased a great deal, year on year, and this is the 17th year they have been offered. The reasons are that they are a regular fixture in many people's lives, entry is free, they are short, enjoyable and of a high standard,“ says Ágústa, but a number of elderly people come, as well as guests from institutions from all over the capital region.

Finally, Ágústa mentions that cultural consumption can, above all, improve one's way of life and, more often than not, fail to develop one's talents. „She makes it happen, and we often realise what we want to do. Everyone has creative power to express themselves. So, there's nothing to lose!“

An interview with Ágústa was published in the local newspaper Hafnfirðinginn on 20 February 2020.