614A - SEPAC - Culture

Culture is the theme of the SEPAC stamp in 2015. The stamp’s motif is Iceland Airwaves, the country’s biggest music festival. It is held annually in Reykjavík at the end of October and lasts for five days. The idea of a celebration to introduce Icelandic music to foreigners was born in the spring of 1999. The festival was intended as a platform for Icelandic bands. It was first held in an Icelandair hangar in October 1999 with bands Sigur Rós and GusGus performing. At first, it proved difficult to get journalists to write about the event, but Iceland Airwaves has evolved a lot and now features a number of bands, both Icelandic and foreign. Approximately 2000 people work in conjunction with the festival and more than 200 artists appeared at the festival held in Reykjavik 5 to 9 November 2014. Icelandair is the founder and owner of the festival while Iceland Music Export (ÚTÓN) is responsible for its operation.