|
|
September 1997 Fálkinn, the ICCT Newsletter
VIKING POT-LUCK PICNICSaturday, September 13 11:00 am-4:00 pm (Rain Date: Sunday, Sept. 14) Thorsteinn Helf and his wife Hildegarde are just back from attending the 2nd Annual Viking get-together in Iceland and have invited us to their home near Shelburne for a Viking theme day.
Be sure to call Thorsteinn at (519) 925-2573 or Garry if there appears to be any chance of rain. Sorry, no pets allowed. Also, Peter Fox will lead a hike on the nearby Bruce Trail - a 1 1/2 hour loop of one of the most scenic parts of the Trail. If you'd like to go, let Peter know at 741-6017 and come early - we leave Thorsteinn's place at 10:00 a.m. Sharp! DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy. 400 north to Hwy. 89 west; go through Alliston, to the last road before Shelburne (Sylvanwood Rd.) watch for the Icelandic flag; turn left - it's the first house on left. It takes between 60 - 75 minutes from 401/400. GUÐRUN KATRÍN ÞORBERGSDÓTTIR VISIT NORTH AMERICAThe new Icelandic President and his wife were special guests at this year's Íslendingadagurinn in Gimli, at which he delivered the Toast to Canada. They were also honoured at a special dinner in Winnipeg sponsored by the Icelandic National League, as well as visiting the Icelandic settlement in Utah. We hear that everywhere he went, the message was the same, "there is a need to forge active bonds between all those who share in the unique heritage that over the centuries has enriched the Icelandic people." He went on to say, "I have used the concept ‘Icelandic community' to indicate the broad association of all people of Icelandic descent wherever they live." One of the ways this will be done is to create an interdepartmental co-ordination of the work done by different government departments to enhance the relationship between Iceland and the communities in Canada. It will be headed by former Ambassador to North America, Einar Benediktsson. Another mandate is to develop special programs called "Youth and Heritage" dedicated to giving young people a deeper understanding and knowledge of Icelandic culture. He also mentioned that we will be helped in all these efforts by the opportunity presented by the coming anniversary in the year 2000 of the Viking discovery of North America. While here, the President also made sure to be on hand for Bjarni's blast-off, and at that time he said that just because people chose to live elsewhere didn't make them any less Icelanders! BJARNI TRYGVASSON IN SPACEAugust 7th was a proud day for Icelanders and Icelandic-Canadians alike, as blasted off in Discovery flying the flags of both countries. Bjarni was born in Iceland but has lived most of his life in Canada. He waited 14 years for his chance to go up in space, but always knew his turn would come and didn't waste any of that time. He spent much of it helping develop the Microgravity Isolation Mount, or MIM. It is designed to isolate experiments that demand a zero-gravity environment from low-level vibrations which have ruined experiments in the past. Even with all that anticipation, nothing prepared him for the actual launch. He said, "It's an incredible ride into space, and it goes so fast!" FÁLKINN -THE FALCON
EditorialSince becoming your President in May, I haven't had the opportunity in print of saying how pleased I am to take on this new role. Nurturing our cultural heritage is very close to my heart and I hope to present events and projects in the next months which will appeal to you. I have a strong executive to work with me, and look forward to a good year. On another topic, the July 18th issue of Lögberg-Heimskringla contained some sobering information. Basically, our 111 year old national newspaper is in trouble. Most newspapers pay their bills with money from advertising. Lögberg, on the other hand, relies mostly on its subscription list and on donations. At this time, they are in a money-losing situation and are existing on the strength of a recent bequest. In addition, their recently hired Editor, Vanessa Orlando, has decided to leave, saying she has done all she feels she can do to restructure the business side, and that other changes need to be made to make the paper viable. Her editorial touch will be missed. What to do? I think perhaps it is time for some hard decisions to be taken. Newspapers all over the world are in a state of flux, with changing technology and reading patterns. Most of them find it necessary to have a presence on the Internet now, and perhaps Lögberg needs to have one too in order to survive and to attract the attention of the younger members of our community, who represent the future. At the moment, most of the readership is in the senior category. Another area which needs to be looked at is frequency of publication and copy/adver-tising ratio. Personally, I think it would be better to publish bi-weekly with a larger paper and more opportunities for advertising. This would have the double effect of increasing revenue and cutting costs. And finally, I think we need to look at our part in this. Lögberg-Heimskringla is a very important cultural link between our various communities and Iceland, and we can't afford to lose it. We all need to think about what we can contribute - be it an article, the purchase of a subscription for ourselves, a family member or friend, or a business advertisement. We owe it to ourselves to give new life to Lögberg-Heimskringla. ICELANDIC CLASSES(by Katrín Jonsdóttir)
One of the most important things we learn is Icelandic pronunciation, and one of the intermediate classes even did some singing last winter. This fall we plan to add more conversation to the classes. There is no doubt that we all enjoyed ourselves very much last year and I hope that more people will join us this autumn so that we may all learn more about the Icelandic culture. Intermediate class starts Tues., Sept. 16. For more information, call me, Katrín, at (416) 243-7040. GERRIE & LOUISE AT TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALSturla Gunnarsson's new documentary about a South African journalist (Louise) who marries a former colonel in the S. African Army (Gerrie) premieres in September at the Toronto International Film Festival. NORTHERN ENCOUNTERS - A GEM OF AN ARTS FESTIVAL(by Gail Einarson-McCleery)
The Northern Encounters Festival of the Arts, held during June in Toronto,
is all over now, and we will probably never see another event like it -
over 120 Icelandic performing artists of all kinds, as well as hundreds
of artists from the other countries surrounding the North Pole.
This was followed in short order by the opening of the Nordic Jewellery Display, featuring work by Ofeigur Bjornsson, at York Quay Gallery. The week of June 9th saw the Harbourfront Reading Series with Einar Kárason, Einar Már Guðmundsson, and Matthias Jóhannessen. I was lucky enough to be a volunteer the night Einar Kárason read, and found him very amusing. That same week, the Bandamenn Theatre Group came to town with the Amloði Saga (see Katrín Jónsdóttir's article). June 17th, Iceland's National Day, saw a delightful performance by Trio Nordica to a full house; I was told that the reprise by two of its members (Bryndís Gylfadóttir and Mona Sandström) on Thursday was equally powerful. Well received also was music of Icelandic composers, Leifs and Sigurbjornsson, performed by the Penderecki Quartet and Icelandic clarinetist Gudni Franzson. Icelandic films proved popular the last week of the Festival, including Tears of Stone, Movie Days, Ingaló, and Children of Nature. But the highlight for many of us was the youth choirs, Skólakór Kársness and Hamrahlið. To wind it all up for Iceland, there was a fine organ concert by Horður Askelsson.
All in all, the Festival proved to be a great rallying point for the Icelandic community in Toronto - a chance for us to get to know Hamrahlið choir members, other Icelandic performers, and each other. People who had seldom been out to an ICCT event opened their homes to house young choir members and in the process discovered their links to the community. For example, two people who thought they were strangers found they had visited in each other's homes in another city many years prior! Even a non-Icelandic host was so impressed by her young guest that she wanted to introduce her to Canadian literature and has since been scouring the country for Icelandic translations of Canadian writers to send to her! In ways like this, the experience continues. On the occasion of the Northern Encounters Festival of the Arts, many cultural events from all of the Nordic countries (Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland) took place. One of them was the performance of the Icelandic theatre group "Bandamenn". They performed a very interesting play called Amloði Saga that originates partly in the old Icelandic sagas. The play is about a royal family, in which the king dies due to unknown reasons. However, the prince does not think it was an accident and suspects his uncle of killing his father in order to obtain the throne and the queen. At that point he starts seeking justice, but not in evil ways. As a consequence, he realizes that his life might be in danger too, and starts acting as if he were insane. Moreover, when his mother marries his uncle he is very disappointed in her and does not know who to trust any more. He feels lost and confused and does not know what to do. One day he meets a prophetess, to whom he tells his anxiety, and she predicts a hateful prophesy about the current king. He is to become impotent. The prophesy comes true and it is very embarrassing for the pompous king. The king wants to get rid of the prince and send him away to another country, but the prince never has a chance to go, because the conflicts increase and result in fighting. In that fight everybody dies and that is the way the play ends. In my opinion, the play was very entertaining for several reasons. Since the Northern Encounters Festival took place in Canada, Toronto, one would think that it was performed in English. Quite the opposite; there were two sentences in English and all the rest were in Icelandic! As I was the only Icelandic person among the audience, I was the only one who understood everything that went on, but maybe not ... the Canadian people who went with me to the theatre told me that they understood the whole plot because the actions of the actors on stage were very descriptive. Some of the actors are also musicians, and in the play they played music that made the performance even more interesting. Moreover, they danced Vivi Vaki dances like people did at the time when the play was supposed to have taken place, that is in the last quarter of the 13th century. The combination of all this was very enjoyable. The play is full of human emotions such as loneliness, greed and disappointment. However, the sense of justice on behalf of the young prince is overwhelming. Nonetheless, the play has its funny and witty parts that lighten up the tragic plot. In short, it was a pleasure to have "Bandamenn" come and perform for us here in Canada. REFLECTIONS ON NORTHERN ENCOUNTERS(by Margrét (Sigvaldason) Jackson, Caledon, Ont.)
What began as a note of thanks to the President of the Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto, Gail Einarson-McCleery, and her Executive Committee, for their capable and successful support of the Icelandic contingent at Northern Encounters, has become for me a nostalgic event. My husband George and I attended the ICCT reception on June 22nd for the choirs and were thrilled that they performed for us. Their melodic sounds were delightful.
The Hamrahlið Choir from Reykjavík, comprised of 51 young people of junior college age under the excellent leadership of founding conductor Þorgerður Ingólfsdóttir, is a blessing of exquisite sound which, in madrigal fashion, blended like the upper and lower reaches of a fine pipe organ. The unique positioning of sopranos, altos, tenors and baritones in what seemed a random mix added to the impressive effect. The subject matter of old and new Icelandic folk songs and compositions ranged from songs of praise of God and country, of nature in all its forms, love songs, lullabies, dreams, dances and songs of funny and tragic human foibles, to the modern Wasteland tone of Scissors that snip, snip, snip. The audience was entranced. Earlier in June George and I, as hosts of the hospitality suite at the Westin Harbour Castle, had a brief encounter with the Icelandic writers who were here for the reading festival at Harbourfront. We met a number of authors but I especially enjoyed talking for a while with Matthias Jóhannesen, author, poet and editor of Morgunblaðið in Reykjavík. He very patiently allowed me to foist my residual Icelandic on him while he responded in Icelandic or in excellent English. Later we were pleased to meet his wife, Hanna, and their son and daughter. Getting back to my opening statement, the nostalgia arose from the affirmation of the musical and literary tradition which was also that of the Icelandic communities in Manitoba where many of us were born and raised. The beautiful, bright faces of the children took me back to my childhood in Riverton, Manitoba, and the many years of Icelandic choirs, open to all, led by Jóhannes Palsson of Geysir and accompanied by his sister, Lilja Palsson Martin. In earlier years in the community, Bjossi Sigurdson inspired choir and band members, including my Afi, Haldor Eastman, and his family to give their best to the musical life of church and community. When I was about ten I remember the excitement of having Ragnar H. Ragnar from Iceland, accompanied by Snjolaug Sigurdson of Winnipeg, perform at our community hall. His singing of Donkey Serenade sent shivers up my spine. (The admission price to this special event was 10 cents for children!) We are thankful for the fine talent of these wonderful people, past and present, and for their willingness to so generously share their gifts to enrich our lives. Thank you, ICCT. You certainly are fostering an appreciation of Icelandic culture! WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE A HOST??(by Marjorie R. Swanson)
At the ICCT's Thorrablót there were many good things; a fine meal, good fellowship, a silent auction, and also an opportunity to sign up as a host for members of the Icelandic choir coming to Toronto in June as part of the Northern Encounters Festival. June seemed far away, and my husband Arni and I had accommodation for three guests. Surely this would be a chance to get to know some interesting people and help out the club at the same time! So we volunteered as hosts, and eagerly waited to see who our guests would be. Presently we received a schedule, and so our adventure began. We realized that since most of the events were in the city and we lived in the suburbs we would have to do a fair amount of driving. But we were prepared, and looking forward to meeting our guests ... On Saturday evening, June 21st, Arni and I went to the airport to meet Air Canada Flight 807 from Boston. At Gate A we were greeted by Gail Einarson-McCleery, resplendent in a Viking hat and bearing an envelope for us, "number eleven". Further on Eric Einarson-McCleery, Gail's husband, also hatted magnificently, was waving an Icelandic flag. Others joined us, and soon we were rewarded by the arrival of 51 young people, each with a numbered card matching one of ours, linking guests to hosts. We thought we could have known them anywhere as Icelanders. With several physically resembling people we already knew, we felt an immediate kinship. "Here's one!" I said, waving my envelope in the direction of a blue-eyed blonde who was stereotypically Nordic. She smiled and joined us, indicating two others also identified by number eleven. This was Sólveig Wium, and now that we were able to identify her, we felt she had been destined to be ours. Following Sólveig was Hjördís Þorey Þorgeirsdóttir, tall, slender and dark-haired, very self-possessed, and quite ready to tolerate our enthusiasm. Then Halla, our third number eleven, dear Halla Helgadóttir, who laughed aloud when she found our dog was named Helgi, her father's name. "It's like naming your dog John or David," she said, as we explained the choice of a name for the dog as his master's preference. On the ride to our home, Hjördís surprised us firstly by her excellent Canadian-accented English, and secondly by telling us she had spent three years in London while her parents attended the University of Western Ontario. As she had promised to look up her parents' friends, we already had a mission to accomplish in locating them. The other two, Sólveig and Halla, noticed the profusion of greenery as we passed trees and gardens enroute to Lorne Park. "Much greener than Boston!" they observed, having just come from there. Taking up that topic, we asked where their choral travels had taken them. "Oh, Israel, Japan, the Nordic countries, and so on!" was the reply. In consulting our information booklet we found the choir has travelled abroad giving concerts in Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Spain and Hungary over the years as well as throughout Iceland. The Hamrahlið Choir, founded in 1967 under the leadership of Þorgerður Ingolfsdóttir, is made up entirely of present and former students of the Hamrahlið College in Reykjavík. They practice Monday and Wednesday evenings, and also every second Saturday, and still find time for their studies. Sólveig is in her second year of nursing, Hjördís is studying medicine (following in the footsteps of her epidemiologist mother), while Halla is taking anthropology. Thus we were further convinced that education and service to humanity are practical priorities in Icelandic life, although the unassuming manners and shy smiles of our guests gave no clue to their more serious pursuits. After a glass of lemonade and a cold buffet, the girls settled into their respective rooms. In the morning all three were lined up at seven a.m., looking for permission to go for a swim in our pool. Their childlike enjoyment of the pool gave no indication of the dignity to follow when they changed into their Icelandic costumes. Wearing patterned aprons over long black skirts, laced vests and white blouses, tasselled caps perched sedately on their heads, they allowed us to take pictures in front of our home. We wanted to brag to passersby, but managed to restrain ourselves. We drove the girls to St. Thomas Anglican Church, where they were to take part in the morning service, pointing out landmarks as we went; Ontario Place, the Skydome, the CN Tower; all the places we take for granted we enjoyed through their eyes. We knew that on Monday morning they were scheduled for a city bus tour, so we did not attempt to do too comprehensive a study of the highlights, history and geography of Toronto. In so short a time we could provide little background, but we sensed the sights and sounds of the Chinese district were more interesting, as we made our way along Spadina Avenue. Sunday morning is a wonderful time to see the array of goods and groceries, people, vehicles and street signs, and our guests were quite captivated. Had they looked inside the car, pedestrians might have wondered at these three lovely girls in full Icelandic costume as much as the girls wondered at them.
Monday was "bus tour" day, and we met the group at the Princes' Gates, C.N. Exhibition grounds. Our departure from home was less than organized, as the girls dashed back into the house several times for forgotten belongings. We would not see them again until that evening, so they had to have with them all the gear they needed, including lunches and full costumes. The bus tour arrangement meant a free day for us too, so we used it to catch up with some of our own responsibilities. The main performance of the choir took place at Metropolitan United Church in midtown Toronto. Moving down the centre aisle, the black-and-white clad figures, led by flute, clarinet and violin, began the gentle swaying motion which accompanied their ethereal sound. Were these the young people we were hurrying out to the car only this morning? As the audience, still applauding rhythmically, departed through the front door of the church the choir followed, serenading them into the summer night, looking and sounding like angels. Later they would have a little party to celebrate at a downtown restaurant, where their spontaneous singing was a great success with both the staff and other patrons! Tuesday's destination was Niagara Falls, on the way to a concert engagement in London. Hjördís had contacted another friend from her previous stay, and so was skipping Niagara Falls to be driven to London by her friend. There was another joyous reunion in our front hall as the friend and her mother arrived; the first meeting after a ten-year separation. We arrived at Sheridan Place parking lot to find Eric and Gail in their four-wheel drive vehicle, chatting with Kristinn Guðjónsson and Helga Þorsteinsdóttir from Erindale College, and surrounded by an ever-growing cluster of young people. Cell phone in hand, Eric was making vain attempts to contact the Don Mills contingent. When at last confirmation arrived that the bus was on its way, he was very much relieved. The responsibility for organizing the tour accommodation and transportation had been largely his and Gail's, and they did a thorough and meticulous job of arranging details and rising to meet crises. As we waited in the parking lot, Halla and Sólveig both gave us warm farewell hugs, and told us how good we had been to them, how much they had enjoyed their stay, and "how could they ever thank us!" We in turn were very moved, and felt as if we were saying goodbye to dear friends. When time is so short, one does not waste it on trivialities. This we found to be true when we visited in Norway and in Iceland, where we each have many relatives. We assume we like one another, and immediately treat each other as friends, sharing our true selves generously and trying to be as helpful as possible. This is the spirit of hospitality, given and received, and we are so happy to have had this opportunity to pass it along. There is an empty space in our hearts where three young women lived for awhile, and a warm place there too for them to return. 
Tour guide Gunnlaugur Asgiersson, ICCT Honourable member Gigi Fridriksson, and founding Hamrahlid Choir Conductor Thorgerdur Ingolfsdottir. MANY THANKS TO:Fran Moscall for her liaison role with Northern Encounters, all the club members who hosted and transported choir members, as well as to those who worked so hard to put together the ICCT reception, the volunteers at the Harbourfront Reading Series hospitality suite, and to our photographer, Kristinn Guðjónsson. We couldn't have done it without any of you! MORE FROM ICELAND IN OCTOBER!Aðalsteinn Ingólfsson, Chief Curator of the National Museum and renowned art critic, will be in Toronto in October to introduce us to Icelandic landscape art. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 15th - 6:00 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Ontario and join us afterwards to meet Aðalsteinn and enjoy a light meal. |
One of the main
events of the Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto is Icelandic language
lessons. They are held at the home of a host, who is also a student,
every two weeks. For those who are beginners there is a beginners
class and for those who already know some Icelandic, there is an intermediate
class. The classes are held during the evening from 7:30 to 9:30
p.m. There were sixteen students last year; I taught the beginner's
and one intermediate class, and Guðrun Girgis taught the other.
|
|