37th Year, Number 6
NORTHERN ENCOUNTERS - FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
ON-NEEN WELCOME BIENVENU VELKOMIN
to our Icelandic visitors artists, musicians, writers, singers, performers,
cinematographers Our 450-member Icelandic community in Ontario extends
to all our visitors a warm welcome and our wish that your stay is memorable.
We thank you for sharing your varied talents
with us. Indeed, you are serving the curiosity of many Canadians who are
intrigued with Iceland but know little about the country and it's people.
Your involvement in the Festival is causing new relationships between Canadians
and the people of Iceland-e.g. , an import boutique in Thunder Bay (a northern
Ontario city) interested in the procurement of handmade Icelandic artworks,
a large school board interested in joint student brass band performances
and teacher exchange, and a Toronto enterprise interested in developing
ongoing ways of introducing Icelandic writers to Canadian readers.
Thank you for delighting us with your unique approaches to the arts - Ófeigur
Björnsson, Einar Kárason, Einar Már Guðmunðsson,
Matthías Jóhannessen, Thor Vilhjálmsson, Þórður
Áskelsson, Bandamenn Theatre Group, Trio Nordica, Skólakór
Kársness, Reykjavik Jazz Quartet, Hamrahlíð Choir.
In appreciation we invite you to a reception
to meet and be celebrated by members of the Icelandic Canadian Club of
Toronto.
OPEN HOUSE
"The ICCT Celebrates Our Icelandic Visitors"
SUNDAY, JUNE 22 1997 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Official greeting 8:30 p.m. Unitarian Hall,
175 St. Clair Avenue W. (near Avenue Road)
(ICCT donation re Red River Flood accepted with thanks)
The annual conference of the Icelandic National League was held in Calgary on April 25-26-27, and I was pleased to be a delegate, along with Gail & Eric Einarson-McCleery and Leah Salt. I found it to be a great success once again. It's especially nice to renew acquaintances with other delegates - people I only see once per year. It's starting to feel like a reunion. The time was spent socializing, playing, working, singing, listening to interesting guest speakers, and working again. One of the highlights, for me, was to learn for the first time just how completely and interestingly the INL has become electronic. See our "Ice Links Page" The INL web page on the Internet is really comprehensive. For us from the ICCT, the highlight was the approval in principal which was given for the sponsorship of a tour this year by the noted Icelandic art historian, critic, and authority, Aðalsteinn Ingólfsson. This project was the brainchild of our own Tom Bjarnason, and Gail has been working very hard to bring it to reality. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised that Leah addressed the business session on her very good plan for a "youth Internet" network among young folks who have mutual thoughts and questions on their heritage. This is a great idea, and I know there will be an active group on that "pen-pal" network.
OCTOBER 15 MARK YOUR CALANDER
If the plans come to fruition, this is the date that Aðalsteinn Ingólfsson will be giving a lecture in Toronto. He is an acclaimed art critic and historian and has written extensively on Icelandic art and artists. His previous tour of Canada was very well received. His Toronto event will be at the Art Gallery of Toronto, who are very interested in his prospective lecture. They will assist financially. Their interest, in these times of restraint, is testimony to their respect for his status. We are looking forward to this event, and recommend it to you. You will hear more later.
INL LOTTERY 1997
If you remember the 1996 INL lottery, the tickets were $20.00 each, and it was a hard sell. Realizing the error of their ways, this year tickets are only $5.00. There are only 2,000 tickets printed, and the winner will receive $1,000.00. So, if you're interested in buying a ticket, or feel that you might want to try to sell a few, contact Garry at (416) 463-1324.
Volunteer briefing:
Harbourfront Reading Series- A briefing meeting will be held on Thursday May 22, at 6 p.m. in "The Loft" (above Brigantine Room) at the York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. Volunteers include those who will be hosts in the hospitality suite at the Westinn Harbour Castle and those serving at the reception desk at the reading events.
Billet Volunteers:
Hamrahlíð Choir- Names of all volunteers who have offered accommodation for members of the choir have been sent to G. Lois Harper, President of the Arts Bureau for the Continents. Mrs. Harper, who is co-ordinating the choir's visit, will content you directly by letter to confirm your participation.
