Sólheimar Ecovillage

In 1930, when Sesselja moved to Iceland, she kept in contact with other pioneers in organic farming and anthroposophy around Europe as the preparation proceeded to create a physical space where childcare could be achieved in a self-sustained community in a land with streams, hot springs and other natural surroundings.

Today all activities in Sólheimar are based on Sesselja's lifework and visions: what started out as an isolated and primitive settlement in 1930 with around ten small children has now become a modern, self-supporting ecovillage with organic farming, thermal and solar energy and with a thriving cultural life.

She made a home for children in Sólheimar and focused her work on organic horticulture (the first in the Nordic countries[6]), healthy food and artistic expression.

Although Sesselja's proactive ideas were hard to accept, such disagreements have faded into history and the Sólheimar community continues to support a healthy lifestyle for everyone in the village.

By focusing on individuals' possibilities instead of their limitations, Sólheimar aims to create the space for each resident to take every opportunity that arises for each person to grow and develop.

Her life was strongly influenced by Icelandic reality in the beginning of the 20th century, the anthroposophical theories of Rudolf Steiner and Christian values.

It was designed and constructed with the goal of environmental sustainability, which took into account the origin, the production, and the recovery of any materials, specifically to Icelandic conditions.

It holds educational meetings, conferences and seminars on environmental issues for the public, schools, businesses, institutions, and unions.