HHH's Winter Festival and the Young People's Arts Festival is on Thursday.

HHH's Winter Festival is a light in the darkness – Let's all meet

„We wanted to brighten up the darkest time,“ says Sigmar Ingi Sigurgeirsson of HHH, a queer meeting place in Hafnarfjörður. The HHH Winter Festival & Youth Arts Festival will be held at the queer community centre Setrið in Setbergsskóli, on Thursday 30 January between 19:30 and 21:30.

„We decided to apply for a cultural grant from the City of Hafnarfjörður for the winter festival and, at the same time, to hold an arts festival as well. Our young people can book a stall and showcase their art,“ says Sigmar. „It's an open house. We encourage everyone to come and find out about queer youth work,“ he says. „There will be light refreshments, sticker-making, and you can get T-shirts and make badges from us,“ he describes.

Youth club on Thursdays

„This is the first time we've held this festival, but we've been going for three years now.“ The work has been based in various schools around the town but is now at Setbergsskóli. „We have an open session for the kids every Thursday. We run a club and an activity for the middle school pupils. There's always plenty to do with us.“

Sigmar says it's important that young people who identify with the queer community can meet in a friendly atmosphere. „We create the right atmosphere and they feel more at ease with those who are queer or have queer leanings. Many, many groups of friends have formed from our work,“ says Sigmar. The work is varied.

„For example, we went on a youth exchange last summer. We went to Ireland with HHH+ and then had Iranians visit us. It was a really great and fun project.“

Around 5-20 young people attend the youth centre on Thursdays. „Many come from neighbouring municipalities. It's not just Hafnarfjörður. That's great. It's open to everyone,“ says Sigmar.

Sigmar Ingi with his group at the Pride parade 2024.

Art, food and events at the festival

But back to the winter and art festival. „At the festival, you can book a stall to exhibit and sell your art.“ He mentions crocheted teddy bears, paintings, photographs, and fashion design. „Yes, and just anything you can think of.“ Those who wish to take part in artistic performances at the festival, such as singing, dancing, poetry readings and more, can send a message to Instagram.

The event is intended for all young people, giving them an opportunity to showcase their art.

And we all enjoy it with them.

• When? In The Centre at Setbergsskóli, on Thursday 30 January between 19:30 and 21:30.