Charity art auction transpires today in Iðnó, channeling funds towards the betterment of displaced children.
A charity art auction to support refugee children will take place in Iðnó, Iceland, on Saturday, December 17th, from 2-4pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to invest in works of art while also enjoying musical entertainment. A wide variety of artworks, including pieces by esteemed artists and children aiming to make a difference, will be available at the auction.
Esther Þorvaldsdóttir, one of the founders of Rights for Refugee Children, speaks about the organization's mission. Established in Iceland in 2019, Rights for Refugee Children strives to ensure that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is respected by all state institutions in Iceland, particularly the Directorate of Immigration, the National Registry of Immigration, the National Hospital, and other institutions. Þorvaldsdóttir notes that while the Convention was legalized in Iceland, children's rights are still being violated, despite the agreement to comply with the Convention.
The organization focuses on legal assistance for refugee children, prioritizing precedent-setting cases. When significant violations occur, the organization attempts to intervene to prevent future violations. Þorvaldsdóttir emphasizes the importance of drawing attention to this issue and educating the public and national officials about the Child Rights Convention.
Over 60 children are on the organization's list, and ensuring proper legal procedures for them is costly. The so-called "material procedure" and separate consideration of their cases are essential to avoid treating them as mere luggage accompanying their parents.
Aúsgéir Trausti will perform music for attendees, and Sigriður Thorlacius will sing at the beginning of the auction. Furthermore, numerous artists have donated their work to support the cause, allowing guests to bid on pieces by several renowned artists at the auction, in addition to enjoying the music of Trausti and Thorlacius.
Notable artists who have donated works to the auction include Guðjón Ketilsson, Marit Trönqvist, Hallgrimur Helgason, Thrándur Þórarinsson, Tinna Þorvalds, Annadóttir, Baldur Helgason, Thóvaldur Jónsson, and Mireja Samper. Among the art pieces on display is "Wolf" by Jónsson, created specifically for the auction.
In addition to the charity art auction raising funds for refugee children, attendees can explore and potentially invest in diverse lifestyle pieces, such as home-and-garden art donated by renowned artists like Thóvaldur Jónsson. The wide array of donated artworks also includes news-worthy pieces by esteemed artists like Annadottir and Tinna Thorvalds, offering a unique blend of lifestyle and home-and-garden art at the event.
