Festívalhöll Courses
Bone flute course - July the 1st - price 595 DKK
At this year's Festívalhöll, Aksel Striim will teach you how to make a flute from sheep bones and from electrician’s pipe and maybe from elder tree.
The flute is one of the oldest known melodic instruments. It has been found in many different cultures and has been played throughout the ages.
Some believe that the oldest bone flutes are over 43,000 years old. In Denmark, bone flutes have been found dating back to the Viking Age.
The overtone flutes are found especially in Norway, like the long willow flute. Traditionally, it is made from a long straight willow branch. We will make one from an electrician's pipe and maybe from an elder branch.
Course plan:
- The historical and theoretical background for bone flutes is reviewed
- Cleaning the bones
- Production of the tone hole
- The wind channel is made and adjusted with beeswax and we hear the first note
- The finger holes are made on the flute and the notes are tuned
- The flute is polished fine and decorated
Aksel is a very experienced flute maker and musicians. He is also part of Krauka, which originated as storytelling in the need of music. That led to building instruments and further on to playing and making 21st century Viking music. At the Festívalhöll market you can hear Trio Krauka play.
Language is Danish (English if needed) and lasts 5 hours. Limited number of 10 participants!
The course takes place at "Virkið" in Sandur. The price includes access to tools during the course, materials, a Viking snack and drinks.
You are welcome to bring your own bone og elder branch.
Lyre building course - July 1st to 2nd - price 1540 DKK
Jens Villy will teach you how to make a 3 or 4 stringed lyre. We will work in spruce for the body. Hardwood (ash, oak, tropical wood etc.) for the pegs, pegholder, stringholder and saddle and plywood for the soundboards. Artificial sinew or hopefully horsehair for strings. While this lyre is fully functional, you will know how to make other lyres after this course as well.
The lyre is one of the oldest string instruments known to humanity. It dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, around 3000 BCE, where it was used in religious ceremonies, festivals, and by wandering minstrels to tell stories and convey emotions. The instrument is renowned for its delicate sound and has been featured in the mythology and art of various civilizations, including the Greeks, who celebrated it in their poetry and music. The lyre's rich cultural significance, combined with its elegant design, has made it a beloved instrument throughout history, continuing to inspire musicians today.
Course plan:
- Overview of the lyre’s history in Scandinavia and exploration of different types of lyres
- Introduction to the materials needed for building a lyre
- Overview of the tools required for construction
- Sketching your lyre and understanding dimensions
- Step-by-step guidance on crafting the body and neck of the lyre
- Instructions for installing the strings and tuning mechanisms
- Techniques for finishing your lyre, including sanding and decorating
- Tips for care and maintenance of your instrument
- Basic techniques for playing the lyre
Jens Villy is a very experienced lyre maker and musician. He is also part of Krauka, which originated as storytelling in the need of music. That led to building instruments and further on to playing and making 21st century Viking music. At the Festívalhöll market you can hear Trio Krauka play.
Language is Danish (English if needed) and lasts 10 hours divided into two days. Limited number of 10 participants!
The course takes place at "Virkið" in Sandur. The price includes access to tools during the course, materials, a Viking snack and drinks.
If the lyre is not done in two days it is possible to get one more day at July 3rd from 10 am to 1 pm.
Rattle course - July 2nd - price 595 DKK
Make your own musical or shamanistic rattle with Inger Johanne Syverud.
In this course you will have the opportunity to create your own rattle from rawhide, leather, wood and sand/gravel.
Metal rattles from the Viking age have been found, and it has been discussed whether they were used as a musical instrument, in ceremonies or as an attachment to horse wagons. It is up to you how you will use your rattle.
Just like the drum a rattle can be used as a shamanic tool. Furthermore, the rattle has the advantage that it is easy to transport and works perfectly on beach and nature walks or as a companion during dancing.
The course of the day:
- First, we shape and sew the rattle. You get the opportunity to colour it with plants and herbs as you wish.
- While the rattle dries, we prepare the shaft and explore the many ways that the rattle can be used – mostly as a ritual tool.
- When the rattle has dried, it will be assembled.
Bring your own decorations for the rattle - be it antlers, bones, sticks, feathers, beads or other materials.
Inger Johanne is a certified eco-therapist from the Human Education Group and has over 25 years of experience with nature spirituality with a focus on Nordic traditions. She sees nature as her home, a metaphor for her condition and, not least, her roots. She is very experienced in making drums and rattles. She has a passion for Runes as well. She is also a fire smith and will perform as such at Festívalhöll.
Language is Norwegian (Danish/English if needed) and lasts 5 hours.
The course takes place at "Virkið" in Sandur. The price includes access to tools during the course, materials, Viking snacks and drinks. As mentioned, you must bring materials to decorate your rattle.
If the rattle is not done in one day it is possible to finish it on July 3rd from 10 am to 1 pm.
Course in wool work - June 30th - price 495 DKK
Learn how to prepare and spin the gorgeous Faroese wool as the vikings did it. The vikings were expert textile makers, and knew how to make exactly the right thread for the right task, be it clothing or sails.
We will be working from cut Faroe wool, and you will learn how to comb and divide the wool into different fiber thicknesses, suitable for different types of textiles. You will learn how to spin on a viking age drop spindle, and produce your own yarn.
The course is taught by Turid Olsen og Durita Dahl Djurhuus, who are experienced spinners.
Language is Faroese (Danish/English if needed) and lasts 5 hours. Limited number of tickets.
The course takes place at "Virkið" in Sandur. The price includes wool and access to tools during the cource. If you have a personal drop spindle, you are welcome to bring it and become used to it. We offer something to drink and a little snack.
Hetta var tað
Væntandi vera ikki fleiri skeið á hesum sinni. Vónandi hava onkur av skeiðunum vakt tín áhuga.
Tú kann tekna teg til tíðindabræv niðanfyri um tú vil verða fyrst(ur) at fáa kunning framyvir.
Send okkum eini boð um tú hevur hug at halda skeið í fornum handarbeiði.
Til ber at hitta víkingar, ið gera ymiskt handverk á festivalinum.