Lögberg-Heimskringla - 08.06.1984, Page 8

8-WINNIPEG, FÖSTUDAGUR 8. JÚNÍ 1984
Icelandic groups in
Winnipeg plan unique
celebration for June 17
Snjolaug Sigurdson
Memorial Scholarship
by Birgir Gudmundsson
On the 17th of June, Iceland's In-
dependence Day, the Republic of Ice-
land will celebrate its fortieth anni-
versary. For four decades the flag, a
red and white cross superimposed on
a blue field, has symbolized the con-
tradictions of ice and fire so charac-
teristic of this sovereign island in the
mid-Atlantic Ocean. Contradictions
are not restricted to the physical land-
scape of Iceland. Icelandic history
has seen its ups and downs, from the
independence of the proud heroes of
the sagas and the golden age of
literature to the humiliation of cen-
turies of colonial rule.
The brightest time in recent Icelan-
dic history is unquestionably the
declaration of independence from
Denmark in 1944. The day chosen
for this important event was the 17th
of June, the birthday of Jon Sigurd-
sson, the great leader and pathfinder
of the independence struggle. Jon
Sigurdsson was the man that most
ardently and realistically fought for
Iceland's cause and laid down the
parameters for the future quest for
independence. Jon Sigurdsson did
not live to see the end result of his
fight, but his great mission was car-
ried on by younger generations.
Before the ultimate goal of inde-
pendence was achieved in 1944 some
landmarking gains were made along
the way, the single most important of
which was the acquisition of self-rule
in 1918.
The struggle for independence was
long and demanding; lasting more
than a hundred years. Icelanders at
home and abroad, therefore, cherish
this day and gather in celebration to
strengthen ties and foster national
identity.
* * *
On Sunday, June 17, 1984 the local
Icelandic community will especially
rnark the Independence Day anniver-
Guðrún
Grímsdottir
Eyolfsson
látin
Guðrún Grímsdottir Eyjolfsson lést
snögglega á elliheimilinu á Lundar 5.
maí síðastliðinn. Guðrún var fædd 8.
janúar, árið 1889 í Skálholti í
Biskupstungum. Hún lætur eftir sig
fimm börn — Guðmund, Emil,
Gunnar, Laufeyju og Vermu.
Eiginmaður hennar, Ágúst lést árið
1970, eins tvær dætur, Ragnheiður
árið 1913 og Heiðrún 1930. Ein systir,
Ingunn, býr á íslandi og einn bróðir
Eyjólfur býr þar sömuleiðis.
Barnabörn eru 19 og barna-
barnabörn 13. Guðrún var jarðsungin
frá Lundar Luthersku kirkiu. Séra
Ingþór ísfeld jarðaði.
sary in Winnipeg, first, by a wreath-
laying ceremony at the Jon Sigurd-
sson statue on the Manitoba Legis-
lative Building grounds, Broadway
Avenue, at 4 p.m., and, later in the
evening of June 17, with an Icelan-
dic pageant at the Centennial Concert
Hall, at 7 p.m. The public is cordial-
ly invited.
Shirley McCreedy
31 Carnarvon Rd.
Winnipeg, R3J 0X4
Phone: 889-1261
I.O.D.E. Jon Sigurdsson Chapter
& Icelandic Canadian Fron
Michael Oike 22, of 751 Nairn Ave.
Winnipeg was the winner of the
fourth annual Snjolaug Sigurdson
Memorial Scholarship. He was one
of the three finalists chosen to com-
pete for the scholarship at the Eva
Clare Hall, University of Manitoba
on Sunday, May 6th. The judges
were Professor Harold Lugsdin and
Professor Leonard Isaacs.
The scholarship set up in Snjolaug
Sigurdson's memory by her family,
friends and students is valued at
$1000 and open to all Manitoba
pianists under the age of 25.
Mr. Oike is presently enrolled in
the 3rd year program at the School of
Music, University of Manitoba. He
Plea to the reaper
Let me linger yet awhile,
Walk once more the last long mile.
Now, as time, is running out,
Eighty years, or there about,
Let me calmly say good-bye
Without tears that want to cry.
I will not ask for rebirth
Back to my beloved earth.
I have treasures everywhere
Buried in the April air.
Springtime glorifies each day,
Lilac time is on the way.
Roses blooming with sunshades,
Deep green ferns, and sturdy blades,
Meadows murmuring delight,
Valleys hum with birds in flight,
Rivers harmonize their flow
Everything alive will grow.
I can never leave in spring,
I, a part, of everything.
Summer days my heart will find
Deeply mirrored in my mind.
I belong to living green,
Every single summer scene.
Bloom of life becomes sublime
Living in the summer time,
When the sun shines over all
Even I, stand strong and tall.
Therefore let me find a cause
For a little longer pause.
How could I begin to leave,
On a bright, clear, autumn eve?
When the air is turning cool,
Silver shadows on the pool,
Floating mist, and morning haze,
Bringing in the golden days.
Mellow sweetness from the ground
Firmly holding me earth-bound.
I become a kin to leaves
Burning in the autumn breeze.
I must watch the changing sky
Warning birds to rise and fly.
Now, I really cannot go!
Let me wait for silent snow.
With the first deep winter freeze
I will leave with gentle ease;
Knowing I will meet my own
In the far off vast unknown.
If I let my eyes look back
Judging everything I lack,
I will need a helping hand
Hoping Truth will understand,
I have lived, and loved, with pride,
Part of me has often died.
Freda Bjorn
was a top award winner at the 1983
and 1984 Manitoba Music Festival
and has applied to begin a course in
advanced studies at the Banff Centre
School of Fine Arts this fall.
The scholarship is administered by
the Winnipeg Foundation, 759-167
Lombard Ave., Winnipeg. Phone
944-9474.
Lögberg-Heimskringla
Directors Meeting
at Arborg
Directors meeting at Arborg
June 14, at 6 p.m., at the Drop
In Restaurant, 359 Main St.
Hosted by the Arborg Chapter
of the Icelandic National
League.
Mr. Johann Sigurdson, Presi-
dent of the League will be
present.
Contact Mrs. Solla Johnson
in Arborg 376-2957 or L.H. of-
fice 284-7688 for further
information.
Everyone welcome.
JOIN
ICELANDIC
CANADIAN FRÓN
Scnd mcmbcrship fcc of
$5.00 singlc or $10.00 family
to
Post Officc Box No. 1
1871 Portage Avenue
Winnipcg, Man.
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Attention All
lcelanders & Friends
40th Anniversary — Dedication Ceremony
at the Jon Sigurdsson Statue presented
by the IODE Jon Sigurdsson Chapter
June 17 — 4 p.m. at the Legislature grounds.
"Icelandic Pageant" presented by
Icelandic Canadian Frón
Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall — Winnipeg
June 17 — 7 p.m. Free Will Offering
This space made available .courtesy
Neil Bardal Inc.
Family Funeral Counsellors
984 Portage Ave.f 786-4716