Creative Summer Jobs – Ish / Litter Picking!
Ish Sveinsson Houle, a writer and journalist, is working this year as part of the Creative Summer Jobs scheme in Hafnarfjörður, picking up litter and putting together a small book, or „zine“ as it's called in English.
Ugh Sveinsson Houle, born in 2001, is a writer, journalist and now a poet and litter picker. She is half-Icelandic and half-American, but moved to Iceland in 2023 and started learning Icelandic in 2024. She worked for The Reykjavík Grapevine for two years and has published five poems in Leirburði, as well as other works that have been published in the United States.
Picking up litter gives you space to think.
Plogging Rubbish! is a project Ugh Sveinsson Houle is taking part in this year's Creative Summer Jobs in Hafnarfjörður. The project involves Ish going around the town picking up litter, which she says gives her inspiration and mental space to create and write. She is working on a small book, or „zine“ as it's called in English.
Where did the idea come from?
The idea for the project was partly inspired by an artist who put together a small book about her neighbourhood and everything she sees in her job as a crossing guard. Ish also drew inspiration from the American writer, David Sedaris, who creates space for himself to think and create by picking up litter in England for a few hours a day.
Takes the opportunity to learn Icelandic
Ish not only uses the time at the pickings to create, but also to learn Icelandic. She warmly welcomes all conversations on her way around the town, and any extra hands are welcome at the pickings. She also encourages others who are learning Icelandic to take part in the work with her. Ugh has so far held two events for people to come together to pick up litter in Hafnarfjörður, including on the 17th of June, and plans to hold more.
Ugh says they are very excited to continue picking up rubbish here in Hafnarfjörður after the creative summer job ends, but also plans to hold events in Reykjavík.
We therefore strongly encourage you to follow this creative young woman and her project. Here On Instagram, you can also keep up with upcoming events as well as more information about the final event in August.
About Creative Summer Jobs 2026
In the summer of 2021, the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður, in collaboration with the town's youth centre, Hamarinn, decided to revive the “Creative Summer Jobs” project, which had been run in the summer of 2017. Individuals and groups aged 18-25 were invited to submit ideas for creative projects in Hafnarfjörður. Selected groups were given the opportunity to work on various creative projects in different areas of the arts, which would also liven up the town's social life and delight tourists and residents in one way or another. The staff of the Creative Summer Jobs, run as part of the Hafnarfjörður Work School, are tasked with bringing the town to life, making it more fun, beautiful and diverse with artistic and creative events. The projects are varied and appeal to different age groups and interests.
This year, there are nine diverse projects operating as part of the Creative Summer Jobs scheme, and they will be presented weekly throughout the summer.