ROOTS OF THE RUNTUR // Rob Hornstra
Summary: In the past twenty years, the fishing industry in Iceland has changed thoroughly. A system of quotas was introduced determining the amount of fish that is allowed to be caught. This lead to an industrialisation of the fleet in order to be able to compete on the world market. The traditional craft of fishing gave way to modern mass production. This more thorough industrialisation in the fishing industry changed the country and its people. A job in this industry is no longer popular among Icelandic youths. They move away from the desolate fishing villages in great numbers. Immigrants from Eastern Europe and Asia fill the gap the Icelanders leave behind and work in this formerly traditional, Icelandic sector. The older people who stay behind, see how their local environment is changing and long for the past. They are severely bothered by the lack of interest in local culture and history shown by the Icelandic youth and the newcomers. For teenagers, the villages provide little entertainment. The car is their social gathering. In their cars they talk, listen to music, drink, smoke and flirt with each other. For hours on end they drive around in the same small circle through the village. The circle is often no larger than 500 meters and it is the same circle their grandparents used to walk: the Rúntur.
Links
Entire set in the archive
Rob Hornstra's Bio
Rob Hornstra's Features
Rob Hornstra in the News
INSTITUTE Features
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