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The Arts as an Anchor

29 March 2017

Sigríður Jónsdóttir from Iceland is a UWC Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong alum (2002-2004) and the lead theatre critic at Fréttablaðið, Iceland’s most widely read daily newspaper, as well as a freelance writer, translator and editor.

She studied Social Anthropology with development at The University of Edinburgh, Theatre and Performance Making at Iceland University of the Arts and is currently pursuing an MA in Anthropology at The University of Iceland with a special focus on theatre and performance studies.

As a theatre critic I am incredibly lucky to combine three subjects I am passionate about: research, theatre and writing. I am never tired of attending performances, it is simply addictive. In my spare time I write and I am currently working on my second radio drama - the first one was broadcasted by the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service 2012. My interests have always been intersectional in nature, but the arts have always been my anchor, my connection to and through the world.

Theatre and the performing arts form a major part of my professional and private life. I do not hesistate to travel long distances in order to see a specific show or performer. This autumn I attended the Ibsen Festival in Oslo and more research trips are being planned. Writing about and for theatre is a special interests of mine, especially when it comes to researching theatre history and new Icelandic dramatic writing. Our artistic past is just as important as our artistic future. However, the arts costantly face a major challege: the lack of funding; for artists, artistic institutions and arts education. Not to mention the dvindling space creative culture is given in public discussion.

As the years go past, the more and more I realise the actual impact of my UWC experience in regards to my artistic sensibilities, working present and creative future. While at Li Po Chun I studied both Theatre Arts and English, saw phenomenal performances in Hong Kong, worked with astounding people from all over the globe and got the opportunity to encounter art from the region. It had a profound effect, which still reverberates.

What keeps me up at night and what gets me up in the morning? Mainly coffee, in both instances. But in all honesty I do sometimes lie awake with worry. These tumultuous and troubling times make it easy to put creativity and the arts on the back burner. When, in fact, they are more important than ever. Art, in the end, creates hope and space for open discussion about what it means to be human. Individual contribution is vital, whether it is creating or supporting artistic endeavours by simply reading a book or attending a play”.