|
|
January/February 2000 Fálkinn, the ICCT Newsletter
40th Year, Number 5
"Tied by Blood" Screening
"All we had was one picture", David says when he introduces his great-grandmother to us. He knew that she had come to Canada at the age of 17 and died in childbirth only a few years later. In the course of tracing her life, he travels to Iceland to search records there and meet her relatives. A co-production between Iceland and Canada, this documentary aired on the History Channel last fall, and inspired David Gislason, Head of our Canada 125 Millennium Committee to write, "this is a masterful piece of work, and touches at the heart of the immigration experience. It speaks to everyone who has sought to understand their own roots, and must be an inspiration to all those who have yet to open those doors. I was particularly touched by the story of the relatives in Iceland for whom the memory of a loved one who left that country a hundred years ago still engenders a sense of loss, along with the celebration of connecting with the family that has sprung up from that lost branch. After a hundred years the circle is completed. There are stunning visuals of fog enshrouded, snow encrusted mountains, and green valleys of northern Iceland that underline the beauty our people left behind. And throughout there is a sense of an unfolding saga. This is a film that will be a pleasure to view again and again." Join us on February 19 th, 2:30 PM, Unitarian Church to share in that pleasure! Upcoming Events:NewsThe book "New Iceland" by Gudjón Arngrímsson (a non-fiction account of Icelandic emigration to Canada and the US) will be published in English later this year. The book was originally published in Iceland in 1997 and was nominated for the Icelandic Literature Prize. The 1999 INL in Iceland Congressby Ásta Sól Kristjánsdóttir
The Icelandic National League in Iceland Congress was held on November the 27th in Reykjavik. It was attended by members of INL Iceland and other interested Icelanders and North-Americans of Icelandic descent. Before the opening of the actual Congress itself, there was a general meeting where Mr. Markús Örn Antonsson, Director General of the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, was elected Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Almar Grímsson, pharmacologist, as Vice Chairman. The President of Iceland, Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, opened the Congress by opening a new internet web site the "Vestufaravefur" at http://www.ruv.is/vesturfarar/. Mr. Grímsson stressed the importance of promoting and developing communication and cultural exchange between Icelanders and people of Icelandic descent in North America, relatives and friends. In his view, Icelanders' understanding of the importance of the Icelandic history and culture and its preservation within the Icelandic community in Canada has gradually grown, because they have built Icelandic communities that share history, culture and heritage. Icelanders are grateful and very pleased with how well the Western Icelanders have succeeded in preserving Icelandic history and culture. Mr. Svavar Gestsson, the Icelandic Consul in Manitoba, said the millennium celebration would be an important factor in promoting the liaison. It will formally start on April 12th and there will be over 200 events originated both in Iceland and North America, by individuals, organizations and the Icelandic government. When the year is over increased numbers of people in Canada and the United States of America should know about Iceland and some of them may want to seek their roots in Iceland. The result will undoubtedly lead to increased Icelandic awareness and liaison. Mr. Halldór Ásgrímsson, the Foreign Minister of Iceland, spoke of the interest the Icelandic government has in supporting and maintaining the common cultural heritage. The Snorri program (http://www.norden.is/snorri/), successfully launched last year, was introduced among other things. The Snorri Program is an opportunity for young people of Icelandic origin living in Canada and the United States of America, to discover the country and culture of their ancestors and to strengthen the bonds with relatives living in Iceland. Speaking for myself, I would like to welcome the INL board members to their office. I think the Snorri program marks the beginning of increased activation of young people of Icelandic background and descent to know more about their roots, heritage and themselves. On my visit to Canada I gained insight into how deeply Icelandic history and culture is rooted in many communities. Young people in Iceland really don't talk about this very much and I would not have realised this, had I not been there. Before, I had no idea about how strong the roots of these people are, nor how many relatives I have there. It was all almost too good to be true, I felt like I was home and I had known them all my life. Young people of Icelandic background and descent in Canada and young people in Iceland both have much to gain by the promotion of understanding, cooperation and cultural exchange between the two worlds. Iceland became in effect the first New World a thousand years ago. That is but one reason we have so much in common. Young people are to inherit the lands. If they do not preserve the bond, it will be broken. This impression of mine was stengthened, when a speaker at the Congress praised the awakening among young INL Iceland members. "Did you notice, he was talking about you." a friend said to me. "Me?" I replied a little bit surprised. "Yes," he said, "you are the only one here to fit his description." The INL Convention in North America is being held in Gimli, Manitoba this year, April 28-30. If you are interested in attending, contact Ellen Gilmore, (905) 889-9937.
Club NewsThank you to the following members for donations:Kinmount: William & Halldora Oddleifson, Robert & Runa Wheelans, John Sigurjonsson, LouAnn Lewis, Joan Duffy; Millennium events: Kay Sigurjonsson, Clifford & Patty Nordal, Michael & Evelyn Trites, Brenda Bjarnason & Michael Sullivan, Fran & Vern Austman, Eric & Evelyn Sigvaldason, Dorothy Purchase, William & Laufey Hart, Jean Davis, Joe & Sally Martin, Donald K. Johnson; Other: Edward & Margaret Eggertson, Sylvia Saunders, Douglas & Thelma Anderson. Welcome to new members:Michelle Hemery (Peterborough), Percy & Doris Jonasson (Milton, ND), Rick Gudnason (Humble, TX), Margaret Nixon & Kenneth Girdler (Sidney, BC). DeathsMagnus Jon Paulson - Magnus Jon passed away on January 6, 2000 after a brief illness. He was born August 10, 1944 and was the son of Magnus T. and Lillian (McLeod) Paulson. During his career he was involved with real estate, and lately had two Pet Value franchises. A street in the former Borough of York carries the Paulson name due to family involvement in real estate development there. Magnus Jon was a "people person" who loved life, cars, music and most of all, his family. Business was a pleasure, and he was esteemed by his customers. Throughout the years, two generations of the family have been consistent members of the ICCT. He is survived by his loving wife Terry, children Magnus Chadwick IV (22) and Tracy Michelle (16), brother Thor (Janice) of Orangeville, sisters Stephanie (David) Hastings of Toronto, Signy (Dr. Kenneth) Milne of Ottawa and their families. Icelandic Puppeteer to Visit TorontoHallveig Thorlacius will be appearing in Toronto schools May 29th, 30th and 31st, with her show "The World's Smallest Giant". Her specialty is introducing Icelandic culture and the richness of its thousand-year old story-telling tradition to children all over the world. Like Mary Poppins, Hallveig comes flying in from Iceland on an umbrella with her story-apron neatly packed in a basket. She has come to tell Icelandic stories to the children, but she is taken by surprise when she realizes that all the stories in the pockets of her apron have fallen out on the way. What to do now?
Hallveig has been working in puppet theatre for 25 years and her latest performance represented Iceland at the ASSITEJ Festival in Denmark last spring. She has toured throughout Iceland and Scandinavia and has also toured in America. Her appearance in Toronto is part of a North American tour and is sponsored by the Leifur Eiriksson Millennium Commission of Iceland. Her schedule so far includes Balmy Beach Public School, Swansea Elementary School, Stella Marish School and High Park Centennial Montessori School. A show has been added on May 28th, so that all ICCT members will have a chance to attend. If you would like more information, call Gail at (416) 762-8627. Vikings in Canada Gala - Tuesday, August 1, 2000
Lindy's singing career started early, in an Icelandic folk singing group consisting of his mother, father and brother, who toured across Canada in an old yellow school bus. Then he and his brother got into punk rock and spent five years in a group called Northern Junk. He recorded his first solo CD in 1995 and since then has toured the country several times playing cafes, clubs and festivals, ending up living in Toronto. We think you'll enjoy Lindy, as well as our own home-grown offerings celebrating the vinaterta and our young choristers, along with all the other talented performers ... a not-to-be-missed event! Kinmount Sculpture is Complete!After many harrowing hot summer days in her temporary studio in Haliburton, our sculptor, Gudrun Sigursteinsdottir Girgis, has completed her tribute to our Icelandic settlers in Kinmount, and put it away safely for the winter. She had many interesting visitors during her time there; some of the comments they made included: "What a great tribute to the pioneers who helped to open Canada to the world" (Jack Brezina, Minden Times, August 27, 1999)
"It is a joy to share in your creative spirit and the energy which has brought this fine and evocative work into being. May your inspiration be evident to all who view this piece and become a meaningful and valid part of the Icelandic legacy." (Karen Stoskoph Harding, sculptor, September 10, 1999)
The next phase is designing the base for the sculpture - this is being handled by architect Bill Hurst, with input from Gudrun and artist Tom Bjarnason. All this will be ready in plenty of time for the dedication ceremony at 7:00 p.m. on July 31st, to which you are all invited. Buses will be available to make the trip from Toronto. For more information, call Gudrun at 385-9299. Here are a few more letters we've received about "The Icelanders of Kinmount": "...My brother and I are so excited about this new information, and we appreciate the time and effort that went into the research."
Elaine Jorgenson, Kennewick, WA
"I would like a copy of the Icelanders of Kinmount. Hope it doesn't take long. It's a birthday gift for my aunt who is from Kinmount, who found the articles in our paper (Minden Times) very interesting."
Carla Fountain, Minden, ON
"I want to thank you very much for an excellent story on the Kinmount settlement, which many of our readers have commented on."
Gunnur Isfeld, Editor Lögberg-Heimskringla, Winnipeg
If you would like to make a donation towards the Kinmount Memorial, please make cheque payable to: Millennium-125 Commission Inc. Mail to: Evelyn Trites, Treasurer, 7 Wax Myrtleway, Don Mills, ON M3B 3K6. Now that Evelyn Trites is now our new Treasurer, we will need someone else to help with the Fálkinn! If you are interested in becoming involved with the newsletter (writing, proofing, etc.), please call Darla McKay. A Millennium poem by David Gislason...The Goolies will gather at the harbour, I hear
Good News! Charitable Status for Millennium EventsMillennium-125 Commission Inc. is a national group set up to oversee Icelandic Canadian millennium events - and they have been granted charitable status by Revenue Canada. Any donations to any of our millennium events, including Kinmount, Vikings in Canada Gala, Viking Film Festival, or the Puppet Show can get a charitable receipt. Simply make your cheque out to Millennium-125 Commission Inc. with a note making it clear it is for an ICCT Millennium event (name it if you want) and mail it to us: Evelyn Trites, Treasurer, 7 Wax Myrtleway, Don Mills, ON M3B 3K6 A receipt will be mailed to you. If you have already donated to Kinmount or Millennium events and would like a receipt, make out a new cheque (as above), mark it as "replacement cheque", mail it to us, and you will get a receipt and a reimbursement of your original cheque. Viking Drinking Horns Needed: We need some help designing and producing Viking drinking horns for use at the Gala on August 1st. If you have some ideas or time to do some research, call Gail at (416) 762-8627. We're looking forward to Thorrablót and the chance to win a trip to Iceland, a lovely hand-knit afghan, or cash – don't forget to return your raffle tickets! STUDENTS! Don't forget to complete your scholarship application form, also included in this mailing.
If you haven't got your Icelandic calendar yet, there are still some left – call Garry Oddleifson at 463-1324. The Falcon Hockey team of 1920 will be featured on the CBC program "Olympians", which is scheduled to be shown on February 19th - check your TV listings for the exact time! |
Join us for this fascinating documentary, in which writer David Arnason searches for his roots, starting in Manitoba and moving on to Iceland.
By chance she discovers a little mouse, named Leif the Lucky, hiding in one of the pockets of her apron, and that's when the trouble starts!
Tuesday, August 1st is the day for our big Vikings in Canada Gala, which includes most of our best writers, artists and film-makers, and we are pleased that the musical component of the show is starting to shape up - it will feature Lindy, a young up-and-coming folk-rock performer, as well as a repeat performance of our lively "Ode to the Vinaterta" and a children's choir singing in Icelandic, both coached by Brenda Bjarnason (by the way, Brenda is still looking for more singers - call her at 769-0707)
|
|