Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.05.1987, Blaðsíða 1

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Lögberg
Heimskringla
LÖGBERG Stofnað 14. janúar 1888
HEIMSKRINGLA Stofnað 9. september 1886
100. ARGANGUR
ALDARAFMÆLISAR, FOSTUDAGUR 1. MAÍ 1987
NUMER 17
History of íslendingadagurinn
One of the most significant events
in the Icelandic community of North
America is íslendingadagurinn, the
Rev. Benjamín
Kristjánsson
dead at 86
Rev. Benjamín Kristjánsson passed
away in Akureyri, Iceland, on April
3. He was 86 years of age. Rev. Krist-
jánsson was born June 11, 1901, at
Ytri-Tjarnir in Öngulstaðahreppur in
Eyjafjörður. His parents were Krist-
ján Helgi Benjamínsson and Fanney
Friðriksdóttir. Rev. Kristjánsson was
one of 12 children, two of which had
predeceased him.
It became obvious to him at a
young age that his interests were in
learning and he graduated from
Menntaskólinn in Reykjavík in the
spring of 1924 and graduated from
the Department of Theology at The
University of Iceland in 1928. Later
that year, he became pastor at The
First Federated Church in Winnipeg
where he served until 1932, when he
returned to Iceland. During his stint
in Winnipeg he became most in-
terested in the affairs of Icelanders in
North America and became very ac-
tive. He strove to understand
Western Icelanders, their history and
culture. This interest led to his ma-
jor work: Vestur-Islenskar Æviskrár
(Genealogy) in four volumes. This
work has been continued by others,
but two new volumes have recently
been completed. (See next issue)
Icelandic Festival of Manitoba. No
other event has through the history
of the Icelanders in North America
given them as much recognition on
this continent. The history of íslen-
dingadagurinn dates back to 1874
when the early immigrants to North
America celebrated Iceland's millen-
nial in Milwaukee. Sixteen years later
when more than 10,000 Icelandic im-
migrants had settled in Manitoba, the
first íslendingadagurinn took place in
Winnipeg at the Victoria Gardens.
The celebration has been held an-
nually ever since and is one of, if not
the oldest, ethnic festivals in Canada.
Its celebration is one very important
part of the history of the Icelanders
in Canada and the U.S. The great
poets — Stephan G. Stephansson,
Guttormur Guttormsson and so
many others — contributed every
year, often reciting their poems in
person at such festivals. Many of the
most influential people of Icelandic
descent in North America have been
called upon to give toasts and leading
politicians in Canada, the U.S. and,
of course, Iceland have been guests
of honor.
The writing of this interesting
history is currently in progress. I
have for a little over a year carried
out research and two chapters are
nearly completed. It is the intention
of the Icelandic Festival Committee
to have the historý ready for publica-
tion in 1988 or early 1989. As you can
imagine, this research is immense as
it covers more than 100 years. Every
issue of Lögberg and Heimskringla
has to be studied, the minutes of
meetings carefully examined, books
of poetry by the numerous poets
read, and the list goes on and on. But
there is much material out there in
private possession which I would
dearly love to see. I am sure that
many of you have in your possession
Islendingadagurinn
photos, either from the Winnipeg
festival (1890-1932) or the early Gimli
celebration, as well as ribbons, un-
published speeches, programs, etc. I
would very much appreciate your co-
operation, so if you have anything
which might help in the research,
please drop me a line or phone the
office.
Jónas Þór
Brian Mulroney to attend
Icelandic festival this summer?
The Icelandic Festival Committee
is working very hard these days in
preparation for yet another íslen-
dingadagurinn at Gimli in August.
Last week Lögberg-Heimskringla
pubiished an excellent speech given
by Brian Jakobsson at the annual con-
vention of the Icelandic National
League in March. His information
leaves no doubt that the planning and
organizing of Islendingadagurinn is
not only expensive but also very
time-consuming.
As usual, speakers are approached
long before the celebration and it has
already been announced that Mrs.
Sigurlin Roed will be this year's
Fjallkona. She is an excellent choice
who has been very active in the
Icelandic community for a number of
years. Guests of honor are also a
tradition and Lögberg-Heimskringla
Holiday Inn opens in Iceland
REYKJAVIK, Iceland - A
100-room Holiday Inn Hotel will
open in this capital city of Iceland on
the country's independence day,
June 17.
The first class hotel is located in the
new business district of the city, close
to the Hollywood disco, the Hotel Es-
ja, a number of popular evening
spots, and a host of shops and
boutiques.
All Holiday Inn rooms offer bath,
as well as shower, color television,
radio, direct dial telephone, and hair-
dryer. A restaurant and coffee shop
will provide a range of dining
choices, while a sleekly-designed bar
on the top floor will afford a
panoramic view of Reykjavík and
environs.
Rates for the period from June 17
through Sept. 30, 1987 are $99 for a
single room and $132 for a double.
Breakfast is included in the room
rates.
A fully equipped conference and
meetings area capable of handling
groups up to 160 will also be
available.
Brian Mulroney
has heard that the Prime Minister of
Canada, Mr. Brian Mulroney, may
honor the festival with his presence.
Ever since the first Icelandic
festival in Winnipeg in 1890,
"foreign" dignitaries have been in-
vited, such as Premiers of Manitoba,
Prime Ministers, Presidents of
Iceland, Attorneys-General,
Lieutenants-Governor, Ambassadors,
etc. In the early days, such invita-
tions served as a means to attract the
attention of the local media which,
through its coverage, gave the
Icelanders identity in the very
multicultural Winnipeg. However,
the news that Mr. Mulroney may at-
tend has not been confirmed but
Lögberg-Heimskringla will publish
more details once they are available.