September 2000 Fálkinn, the ICCT Newsletter

Coverage of Vikings in Canada Gala

FILMS, FILMS, FILMS

Tues. Oct. 17

Come and see documentaries showing the early Icelandic-Canadian settlements. These films were made by Icelandic TV and have recently been restructured with English subtitles by the new President of [he Icelandic National League in Iceland, Markus Orn Antonsson. who is the Director General of the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service as well.

We will also show the Kinmount documentary telecast on TVO recently and feature highlights of the Kinmount Dedication Ceremony and the Vikings in Canada Gala.

7:30 P.M. Tuesday, October 17th Unitarian Hall,
150 St. Clair Ave. W.(near Avenue Road)

Feature Film Festival Postponed

We have had to postpone our fall film festival -the reason is that the films we wanted to show (Angels of the Universe, 101 Reykjavik) have become so popular on the festival circuit that no prints are available! Both of these films were shown in Toronto during the Toronto International Festival, to much acclaim. The director of Angel, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, was in town for the screening and did promise to get us a print, so perhaps all is not lost. Jon Vilhelmsson, Festival organizer, does need some help, however, so call him if you are interested.

On other film fronts, Jon Einarsson Gustafsson's new film Kanadiana was chosen to be shown at the Montreal Film Festival, Guy Maddin had a short, and Mall Holm had The Lost Bundefjord Expedition in the Toronto Festival and Bjork's new movie.

Dancer In the Dark opens the Festival in New York!

Icelandic-Canadian Artist In London Ontario

At 7 p.m. on Friday 13 October, at the London Regional Art and Historical Museums (LRAHM), a photographic exhibit featuring the work of Vancouver artist Ami Haraldsson opens to the public. All are invited to attend the reception and opening remarks given by Consul General Svavar Gestsson and the artist himself. Ami Haraldsson was born in Reykjavik in 1958, and moved to Canada with his family in 1968. This exhibit, entitled At Lasl Sight, is included in the series of millennium cultural events taking place across Canada.

At Last Sight was put together by art writer and anthropologist Anne Brydon. It profiles Haraldsson's photo research into mid-20th century modernist architecture and urban planning in Iceland, Israel, and India. Since 1993, Haraldsson has carried out his documentary project in and around Vancouver, as well as in France, Italy, Israel, India, South Africa, and Iceland. Although his work has shown frequently in Vancouver and internationally in Europe, South Africa, and the United Slates and has been featured in major Canadian art magazines, gallery-goers in the rest of Canada have rarely had the opportunity to see his work firsthand.

In his photographs of urban landscapes and noteworthy buildings, Haraldsson focuses attention on the remaining examples of European modernism found around the world. In his photos of Le Corbusiers Chandigarh, Bauhaus-inspired buildings in Tel Aviv and functionalist ones in Reykjavik, and the geopolitics of Jerusalem neighbourhoods, Haraldsson shows us that era's optimism as it appears fifty years later, cracked and worn. These three countries promoted modernisation projects such as tearing down slums and replacing them with apartment blocks, building suburbs and efficient street grids, and dividing cities into separate commercial, residential, and industrial areas. Architects and planners hoped to liberate people from the limitations of the past and guide them into the Utopia of the future. Their Utopian aesthetic was based on the optimistic belief that science, technology, and rational planning could improve health, elevate the human spirit, and reduce social problems.

Haraldsson's beautiful and slightly nostalgic photos prompt us to think about what has happened to those ideals during the last half-century of suburban sprawl and big city alienation. He does so in a seemingly simple way: his photos are like portraits, only of buildings and places rather than people. He portrays what he calls the "just past": buildings that are too old to be considered new, but too new to be thought of as traditional or part of history. Their "in between" status prompts the viewer to ponder the gap between the post-war Utopian ideals many of us still remember, and the realities of contemporary urban life.

Arni Haraldsson is the son of Finnbogi Haraldsson and the late Helga Fridriksdottir. Finnbogi was born in Reykjavik and comes from a line of sea captains although he himself became an electrician. Helga came from a large farming family in Skagafjorður. In 1979, her father, Fridrik Kristjan Hallgrimsson, published an autobiography entitled Margslungid Mannlif (Bokaforlag Odds Bjornssonar hf" Akureyri).

At Last Sight runs from 14 October to 3 December. Admission is free, although donations to the gallery are welcome. A catalogue for the show will be available for purchase. In addition, Arni Haraldsson will give a public talk about his work at 7:30 p.m., 12 October, at the LRAHM. For further details, contact the LRAHM, 421 Ridout St. N., 519-672-4580.

NEWS

Canada to Open Embassy In Iceland

During his speech at Islendingadagurinn in August in Gimli, Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced Canada's intention to open an Embassy in Reykjavik by late spring of 2001. Citing Canada's commitment to developing "strong working relationships with northern countries", Axworthy went on to say, "This will anchor Canada's presence in Iceland. We've worked closely with the Icelandic government on NATO developments, making trade connections, and we've had lots of support from (them) regarding environmental issues. We have a common sense of willingness to share new ideas."

In June, Mr. Axworthy announced a new foreign policy for the North, which includes international cooperation on northern environmental issues and the creation of an electronically linked virtual University of the Arctic.

The announcement of the Embassy was greeted warmly by the assembled throng and by Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grirnsson who was present as part of his state visit to Canada. It follows on the announcement made in Ottawa during the ceremonies on April 6th by Prime Minister Oddson that Iceland will be establishing an Embassy in Ottawa in the spring of next year.

Order of the Falcon Presented to 13 Icelandic Canadians

In a brief but impressive ceremony at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg on August 4th, the President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grirnsson presented Iceland's highest honour to thirteen people to recognize their contribution to relations between Iceland and Canada. The only other living recipient of the Order in Canada is Stefan Stefanson of Gimli.

Dr. lrvin Olafsson, engineer and dentist; Dr. Kenneth T. Thorlakson, physician & surgeon; John Harvard, MP Charleswood St. James-Assiniboia; Bjarni Trvggvason, Astronaut; Sigrid Johnson, INL President & Head, Icelandic Collection, U of Man.; Heather Alda Ireland, musician and Honorary Consul in Vancouver; President Olafur Ragnar Grirnsson; Gail Einarson-McCleery, International Visits Director, INL; Senator Janis Johnson; Neil Bardal, Consul-General for Girnli; J. Timothy Samson, Chair, Canada-Iceland Foundation; Eric Stefanson, MLA, Kirkfield Park; Dr. Baldur R. Stefanson, "father" of canola; David Gislason, Chair Millennium-125 Commission

Manitoba-Iceland Air Link Sought

While in Manitoba, President Grimsson was the guest of honour at a luncheon given by Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. Earlier, they met privately and one of the items on the agenda was the idea of a direct air link. Afterwards, they stated that they felt there was sufficient traffic to warrant such a link.

They also talked about mapping out historical sites such as churches and fishing villages which reflect the rich Icelandic culture and history in the province. Doer said, "We want to ensure that we preserve these locations. That is not only part of our history but also part of our link for future tourism."

V.I.P. Campaign at the University of Manitoba

The Icelandic community including the Icelandic National League and its chapters, with the strong support of the University of Manitoba, has undertaken a V.I.P. (Valuing Icelandic Presence) campaign to support the Icelandic Chair, the Department of Language and Literature, and the Icelandic Collection at the University. A minimum goal of $1.65 million is required, of which $1.4 million has been raised. Donald Johnson, a member of this club and the Campaign Cabinet, will soon be contacting our members to encourage support for this project.

You'll also be interested to hear that Acting Head, David Arnason, tells us that 17 students have enrolled in the first year program of the Icelandic Department, the largest enrolment ever recorded!

Vikings Receive Much Better Welcome 1,000 Years Later

One thousand years ago, the sight of a Viking ship in your harbor was about as welcome as a hurricane. This summer, a group of modern-day Vikings are enjoying a much better reception. In fact, the 75-ft. wooden Viking ship Íslendingur ("Icelander") currently on a four-month, 4,000 nautical mile voyage recreating the journey of Leif Eiriksson, has hosted over 100,000 people on board during 10 ports of call in Newfoundland. From there it went on to Nova Scotia, New England and New York.

According to the ship's daily diary at www.icelandnaturally.com, a flotilla of local boats have met the ship in each harbor; formal receptions have been held with concerts, fireworks, and speeches; and schoolchildren have visited at dockside. In some cases, local communities have prepared for over a year for the Islendingur's arrival.

In the town of Norris Point, Newfoundland (pop. 1,100), over 2,000 visited the ship in four hours on a single day; in nearby Harbour Breton, then again in Burin on the south coast of Newfoundland, over 45 vessels sounded a I O-min. greeting on their horns.

Visitors to the ship learn about the vessel's design and construction; they gain insight on Viking history; and hear Icelandic Sagas. One of the crew's favourite pastimes is to offer a taste of traditional Icelandic food to those lucky enough to sail along for a leg or two. Of the delicacies served, including dried fish and smoked lamb, most have a hard time with the dried shark, called "hakarl" in Icelandic. Ellen Ingvadottir, the sole woman crew member, writes in the ship's diary, "... Courageously, 95 percent of the guests on board take a bite and keep a brave face."

After visiting ports in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Hampshire and Connecticut, the ship lands in New York October 5th. It has been sponsored by the Icelandic Millennium Program in North America.

Kinmount Memorial Dedication Ceremony

Monday, July 31st was the long-awaited date for the unveiling of the statue dedicated to the first large group of Icelanders to arrive in Canada in 1874.

These 352 people settled briefly in Kinmount, Ontario before moving on to found New Iceland at Gimli; and this forgotten piece of history has now been recaptured. An INL initiative, carried out by the Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto, this took the form of a statue representing the spirit of the settlers and carved in limestone by Gudrun Sigursteinsdottir Girgis. It rests on a well-proportioned cement base designed by Bill Hurst, ICCT architect, and embedded with Ontario Heritage Foundation plaques in English, French and Icelandic.

The ceremony was attended by a crowd of 500, among them dignitaries from Iceland including the Foreign Minister, Halldór Asgrimsson and his wife Sigurjona Sigurdardottir and Ambassador Hjalmar Hannesson, as well as Consul General Svavar Gestsson and his wife Guðrun Agustdóttir from Winnipeg.

Local residents turned out in force, along with many members of the ICCT, and descendants from North Dakota and across Canada. A chartered bus (organized by Jim Gibson) brought celebrants from Toronto. Along the way they were informed about the story of the Kinmount settlers by Don Gislason, who has done considerable research and produced a comprehensive booklet on the subject. David Arnason was also present on the bus and read from his books.

The formal dedication ceremony started with a parade through the town, led by the Haliburton Highlands Silver Flutes, and moved to the site of the monument near the railway station, located on the rail line which the settlers helped to build back in 1874.

The Foreign Minister of Iceland was among the many speakers; others included Chris Hodgson, MPP for the area, Connie Magnusson representing the descendants of the settlers and Sigrid Johnson, President of the INL. Ellen Sigurdson Gilmore, President of the ICCT read a message from the Honourable Herb Gray, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Millennium Initiative. Guy Scott, local historian, Diane Austin, Reeve of the Township of Somerville, Ken Higgs of the Ontario Heritage Foundation, and Gudrun S. Girgis, the sculptor, also spoke to the assembled gathering. The Icelandic tradition of poetry was upheld by Committee member Bill Hurst's reading of a poem, as well as one read by David Amason. Four local clergymen were present to give their blessing to this new addition to the community.

In addition to the statue, the ICCT left behind a brochure about the early Icelandic pioneers in Kinmount, with text by Don Gislason, art work by Tom Bjarnason, and design by Doug Laxdal. It was a most impressive and moving ceremony and left all present with a feeling of having witnessed a fitting testimony to those long-ago pioneers. A reception featuring delicious food and hosted by local citizens followed the dedication.

The whole endeavour was capably organized by Kinmount Chairperson Guðrun Sigursteinsdóttir Girgis and her committee, and sponsored by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, the federal Millennium Bureau, Ontario 2000, Saeplast and Eimskip; along with the Planning and Development Committee of Kinmount, HCR of Haliburton, John Beachli, and many individual donors from across the country.

VIKINGS IN CANADA GALA

The following night in Toronto saw a very different kind of event - a celebration of Icelandic-Canadian talent - the VIKINGS IN CANADA GALA. The sold-out show took place at the prestigious Glenn Gould Studio in the CBC Broadcast Centre in downtown Toronto and featured some of our best writers, artists, musicians and film-makers from across the country. A very professional production, capably hosted by broadcaster Lorna Jackson and MP John Harvard, and beautifully written by Betty Jane Wylie. it had something for every age group.

An invocation from Havamal in Icelandic by Viking Thorsteinn Helf and in English by Viking Maiden Lindsey Innes preceded the program. The tone was set at the beginning of the evening with a beautiful rendition of the Canadian and Icelandic anthems by Heather Alda Ireland. Honorary Consul in Vancouver and her accompanist Paul Thorlakson of Redding, California.

Starting out with storyteller Carol McGirr's rendition of Leif Eiriksson's story from the sagas of the discovery of North America, the thread moved on to the rediscovery of the Norse ruins by Dr. Helge Ingstad via the medium of film. The return of the Vikings to L'Anse aux Meadows in the Islendingur came next and then the Kinmount story, with video images of the dedication ceremony the night before, shot by Sean McCleery. After this introduction, the showcase of talented descendants of the Vikings began with the Bifrost Littlafolk Kor and the lullaby "Bi Bi og Blaka", led by Brenda Bjamason and accompanied by Judith McBurney.

In quick succession, we were treated to music by folk-rock singer-songwriter Lindy (who captivated young and old alike), poetry by Betty Jane Wylie, prose by David Amason from Winnipeg, excerpts from a new play by Maja Ardal and her son Paul Braunstein, and excerpts from the films of Torontonians Sturia Gunnarsson and Leif Bristow and Winnipegers Andy Blicq, Jon Einarsson Gustafsson and Guy Maddin along with a chance to meet some of those film-makers. Linda Lundström, fashion entrepreneur, shared her impressions of Iceland with us and introduced us to artists Guðrun S. Girgis, Leslie Cochrane and Tom Bjarnason. In addition, Bjarni Tryggvasson, resplendent in his astronaut suit, gave a short address on the future of space exploration and brought the magic of space home to us. One regret for all was that writer W.D. Valgardson of Victoria was unable to be there due to illness.

Before the stage show. there was a reception hosted by Iceland's Foreign Minister, Halldor Asgrimsson and his wife Sigurjona Sigurdardottir with food organized by the ICCT committee and headed by Merle Oddson, Irene Gibson and Ellen Gilmore. Eight young women in Viking dress (designed by Lisa Gibson with fabric donated by Linda Lundström), wove their way through the sold-out crowd with delicious Icelandic and Canadian appetizers.

Mr. Asgrimsson took this opportunity to present a sample set of the boxed set of Five volumes of the Icelandic Sagas to INL President Sigrid Johnson. MP John Harvard acknowledged the generous gift to the Canadian people of 500 sets, which are being given by Iceland. Other special guests included Hjalmar Hannesson, Ambassador from Iceland, and our Consul General Svavar Gestsson and his wife Gudrun Agustdottir from Winnipeg.

A symbolic Viking boat and Viking dragon door posts, designed by Thorsteinn Helf, helped convey designer Arden Jackson's vision, aided by natural grasses and flowers. Specially commissioned art from Tom Bjarnason and Leslie Cochrane, along with sculptures by Gudrun S. Girgis, completed the decor. The overall appearance had the added glamour of gowns designed and provided by Linda Lundström and worn by most of the performers as well as the producer and designer. The tasteful printed program was designed by Darla McKay, and sponsored by Diana G. Bristow.

Sponsors of the event were the Canada Council for the Arts, the Toronto Arts Council, the Millennium Commission of Iceland, Honorary Consul Jon Johnson, Joe Martin, Donald Johnson and many individual donors. Services were provided by Linda Lundström Inc., Cameron McCleery Productions, Arden Designs, Thistlewood Timberframe Homes, "The Nature of Things", CBC-TV, and the National Film Board of Canada.

Comments from audience members on the Gala included "wonderful, wonderful event", "such a range and depth of talent that truly came from an expression of the heart": "Congratulations on such an inspired production. You spun a glistening web ... and in the most charming possible way - to capture the most meaningful impulses: heritage, the arts, community, family, friends, etc., etc. Honestly, it was simply a brilliant showcase of a modem nation's creativity. It was simply terrific!" The feeling seemed to be that producers Gail and Eric Einarson-McCleery and the Millennium Committee and Executive of the ICCT had achieved their objective of making us more aware and proud of the very talented artists of all disciplines in our country-wide community. Many thanks to all of the many volunteers, their friends and families, who helped to make these two events happen

Millennium Celebrations All Across the Country This Summer

Icelandic Canadian clubs have outdone themselves this year with over 150 celebrations to mark the millennium of Leifur Eiriksson's arrival in North America. Invaluable help and direction was provided by Svavar Gestsson, Special Envoy for Millennium Affairs, his wife Guðrun Águstdóttir, the Leiftir Eiriksson Millennium Commision and the Millennium Office of Iceland. Edmonton and Montreal got a head start with Icelandic films and other events in April, and Ottawa gave us proud moments on April 6th as the statue of Guðriður and Snorri was presented to our Prime Minister by the Prime Minister of Iceland. Many Icelandic entertainers toured the country, including the play 'Saga of Gudridur', Hallveig Thorlacius' captivating puppet theatre, the Male Voice Choir of Reykjavik, the Snowlands Choir and The Butterflies dance troupe among others. Victoria took part in the Scandinavian Festival on July I st weekend, with the Icelanders providing five tables. The Markerville club had special events surrounding their Creamery Day, and Vatnabyggd celebrated with a Golf Tournament among other events.

July 28th saw the arrival of the Islendingur at L'Anse aux Meadows, to be greeted by Foreign Minister Halldor Asgrimsson, followed by the dedication of the monument to early settlers at Kinmount, Ontario and the Vikings in Canada Gala in Toronto (see writeups on these events elsewhere in this newsletter).

The President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, arrived for a state visit on August 4th and was greeted by our Governor-General, Adrienne Clarkson. Earlier, he had visited Edmonton. On this tour, he travelled to Vancouver to attend events there on the weekend, then returned to Girnii for the Icelandic Festival program, visiting the new Thingvella tent area at the park, the Betel Waterfront Centre and the Museum Waterfront Information Centre. He concluded his visit in Halifax on August 8"

The Icelandic Memorial Society of Nova Scotia brought their memorial cairn projects to fruition, erecting monuments in Markland and Lockeport and hosting significant celebrations to mark the occasions in August.

The Bishop of Iceland, Karl Sigurbjornsson, was in Canada September 4* to 7th to share the celebration of the 1000 year anniversary of the adoption of Christianity and included a visit to Vancouver after that club had a busy summer working on Iceland House and its grounds as a millennium project.

And Still to Come... Calgary is celebrating

ICELANDIC WEEK

Sept. 24 FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS featuring Albertans of Icelandic descent - concert, art display, followed by a Fall Feast

Sept. 26 VINLAND 1000. Trond ('the Skald') Woxen from Los Angeles on Leif Eriksson and his family and also talk about The Viking Millennium International Symposium that he will be attending in Newfoundland & Labrador from September 15-24,

Sept. 28 SKIS AGAINST THE ATOMIC BOMB. Trond Woxen on the story about the men who blew up the heavy water facilities in Rjukan, Norway. Sept. 30 Icelandic Films with English subtitles All events are held at the

SCANDINAVIAN CENTRE - 739 - 20TH AVE. N.W.

Also in Calgary Oct. 25 CAPUT contemporary chamber ensemble from Iceland. Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Rozsa Centre, U. of C. Campus Tickets -$15.00 $10.00 students/seniors Contact: Gwen Mann(403) 242-9714

And in Manitoba...

Winnipeg Oct. 5 Iceland Symphony Concert at Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall Tickets WSO 204-949-3999

Winnipeg Oct. 13 Iceland Writers Festival at Planetarium Auditorium Contact Kathleen Darby (204) 927-7323

Winnipeg Oct. 20 Icelandic Collection opens at U ofM- PM of Iceland attends; Contact Sigrid Johnson (204) 474-6345

Gimli Oct. 21 125* Anniversary Heritage Celebrations Contact Connie Magnusson (204) 642-5963

Gimli Oct. 21 Grand Opening New Iceland Heritage Museum at Betel Waterfront Centre Contact Wendy Jo Mosby (204) 642-4001

Winnipeg Oct. 26-28 Iceland/Canada Joint Conference, Dept. of Icelandic, U. of Man. Contact Helen Osman (204) 474-8487

And out west...

Vancouver Oct. I Scandinavian Writers' Festival, Scandinavian Cultural Centre Contact: Norma Guttormson (604) 521-3558 Oct. 21 Iceland House Open House - 10* Anniversary

HELP WITH NEWSLETTER

We need a Newsletter Editor to start working with Darla with a view to taking over soon, as Darla moves on to other tasks in the club. If you have computer skills and would like to try your hand at writing, please contact Darla or Gail. It can be a lot of fun and really puts you in touch with your heritage!!!

CHILDREN'S CHOIR

After the success of the children's choir at the Gala, Brenda Bjarnason has decided to continue leading the choir, with Christmas songs next on the musical agenda. New children are also welcome to join - the location for practices is near High Park. Please call Brenda at (416) 769-0707.

ICELANDIC CLASSES

Our Icelandic teacher, Oli Kristjansson, is ready to start intermediate classes again. He would also like to teach beginners. Classes take place at his home near High Park and are $25 for each 6 week session. Please call Oli at (416) 762-0341

COMING EVENTS