Samfélag fyrir Öll – Community for All

Vena Naskrecka is an artist, researcher, and activist working in movement art and performance, experimental participatory theatre, and interdisciplinary installations. She is a graduate of Munster Technological University in Cork and Minerva Academy in Groningen. Her practice connects art with the natural sciences and humanities, exploring the relationship between body, place, and environment as a way to build empathy, awareness, and care for both human and more-than-human communities.

Vena is the founder of Community for All (Samfélag fyrir Öll). She exhibits and performs across Europe and she is a member of Snæfellsjökull fyrir forseta, the first Icelandic movement for the rights of nature.

Hilma Hólmfríður Sigurðardóttir is a social worker and specialist in multicultural affairs with extensive experience in social inclusion, immigrant and refugee services, and community development in Iceland.

She graduated with a BA in Social Work and professional licensure from the University of Iceland in 2006, followed by a diploma in multicultural social work in 2009. From 2010, she also worked as a part-time lecturer in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Iceland. In 2011, she helped establish the professional department of multicultural social workers in Iceland.

Hilma began her career supporting immigrants and refugees through social services in Reykjavík. In 2012, she joined the Ministry of Welfare as a specialist in immigrant affairs. In 2018, she was appointed Project Manager for Multicultural Affairs at the Municipality of Reykjanesbær, where she has worked to strengthen relationships between people from different cultural backgrounds, promote intercultural dialogue, and foster a sense of belonging within the local community.

Through her professional work, teaching, and advocacy, Hilma has contributed to raising awareness of cultural diversity, improving communication between communities, and developing more inclusive approaches to social participation. Her work reflects a commitment to building bridges between people, encouraging mutual understanding, and creating communities where diversity is recognised as a strength.

Þorbjörg Margrét Guðnadóttir is a Project Manager at the Icelandic Red Cross, working with refugees and asylum seekers in the Suðurnes region of Iceland. Her work focuses on supporting people as they navigate life in a new country, helping them access practical guidance, build social connections, and become part of their local communities.

Through her work with the Icelandic Red Cross, Þorbjörg contributes to initiatives that connect newcomers with local volunteers and residents, encouraging mutual understanding, intercultural exchange, and a stronger sense of belonging.

Her experience in refugee support and community engagement brings valuable insight into the challenges faced by people adapting to a new social and cultural environment. Her work reflects the importance of human connection, solidarity, and creating opportunities for everyone to participate in community life.

Ólöf Ásdís Baldvinsdóttir is an English teacher dedicated to fostering literacy and communication skills among her students. With approximately five years of experience working with asylum seekers and refugees, she has developed a profound commitment to supporting marginalized communities, which was recognized when she was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2025 by The Icelandic Red Cross.

In addition to her teaching role, Ólöf actively participates in the Empowering Voices theater workshop, where she combines her passion for literature and creativity by teaching Creative Writing. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys indoor gardening and cherishes time spent with family.

Magdalena Tworek is a movement artist, theatre performer, cultural producer and an educator.

Her learning journey has been enriched by collaborations with teachers from various cultural backgrounds and knowledge fields, each bringing a unique perspective and approach to her practice.

With a postgraduate diploma in Art Therapy, she has been using creativity as a tool for self-expression and healing. In her current artistic endeavours she expresses her commitment to celebrating diversity, and intercultural dialogue. Through collaborative projects, she co-creates spaces where people can come together, exchange ideas, and express themselves authentically, in a safe, and non-judgemental environment.

Her workshops often incorporate elements of improvisation, movement, sensing, and collaborative games.

Michael Richardt is a Danish/Nigerian performance artist whose interdisciplinary practice explores the physical body, time, colour, and identity through long-duration performances, choreography, film, photography, sculpture, writing, installation, and music.

Michael’s work has been presented internationally, including at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, the Reykjanes Art Museum, Gerðarsafn, and the Nordic House in Iceland. In 2018, he performed works by Marina Abramović at major Nordic art institutions. His projects span performance, visual art, and music, including the sci-fi opera POPera, presented at the Reykjavík Arts Festival in 2024. Through his experimental practice, Richardt challenges artistic boundaries and explores new ways of experiencing the body, time, and human relationships.

Keith Reed moved to Iceland in 1989, after receiving his Masters in Music from Indian University. After singing the lead baritone roles with the Icelandic Opera and teaching voice in many of the country’s finest music academies, Mr. Reed moved to Germany under contract as house baritone in Detmold, Germany.                                                

Mr. Reed returned to Iceland in 1996. He won the ‚‘Voice of the Year‘‘ sponsored by the Icelandic National Radio, in 1997. Mr. Reed was featured in concerts and recitals throughout Europe and the USA. Mr. Reed founded and directed „OPERASTUDIO AUSTULANDS‘ and offered a summer opera program in Egilsstaðir.  Keith teaches voice and directs men’s and women’s  choirs in the greater Reykjavik area. Mr. Reed lives in Garður. He is the proud grandfather to 12 wonderful grandchildren.

Hildur Ýr is an anthropologist with a B.A. in Acting and an M.A. in Theatre and Performance. She brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to humanitarian and project management work. She has extensive experience leading and directing refugee-focused projects, integrating the power of performance and culture to support and empower marginalized communities. Through her roles at the Red Cross, Blaagaard Teater, and Teaterhuset, she has built strong partnerships, managed impactful projects, and contributed to the development of innovative approaches to social change.        

Abdul Jalal Sofizada is an interpreter, and multilingual communicator working across performance, language mediation, and cross‑cultural storytelling. Holding a Bachelor of Arts degree, their practice moves between stage work, literary translation, and community engagement, with a focus on the emotional and political landscapes of migration, identity, and language.

Fluent in Persian, Pashto, and English, with working knowledge of Hindi, Abdul Jalal bridges artistic expression with linguistic accessibility, translating English texts for Persian‑ and Pashto‑speaking communities. His background in martial arts as a former Wushu and Kung‑fu instructor informs a deep understanding of the body, discipline, and movement, which subtly shapes his theatrical approach.

Beyond the arts, Abdul Jalal has engaged in humanitarian work, including voluntary blood donation to underserved communities in India. Known for exceptional communication skills and a strong sensitivity to cultural nuance, they navigate diverse environments with empathy and clarity.
Worked as volunteer in the Icelandic Red Cross.

A passionate of poetry and art, Abdul Jalal continues to explore how stories travel across borders, geographical, emotional, and linguistic, seeking to create spaces where voices in transition can be heard, held, and transformed.