Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.01.1988, Page 3

ALDARAFMÆLISÁR, FÖSTUDAGUR 15. JANÚAR 1988-3
Appeasing the spirit of
The Icelandic Canadian Club of
Toronto
By Don Gislason, President
January 22 is the first day of Thor-
ri, the fourth month of winter, ac-
cording to ancient Icelandic reckon-
ing. It was once customary to
celebrate the coming of Thorri in ord-
er to greet it with proper respect, in
the hope that the elements would be
mild and cause no severe hardship.
Any kind of weather is possible at
this time of year, and it is therefore
not surprising that attempts were
made to appease the unpredictable
spirit of winter.
In ancient times, it was the head of
the household's duty to welcome
Thorri to the farm by rising first and
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
CLUB OF SEATTLE
They have their Thorrablot under
way, which will feature the
following:
Hangikjut and hardfish from
Iceland; Information on the plans for
the Icelandic Room, and an opportu-
nity to see the progress made. Pro-
ceeds are for the Icelandic Room; En-
tertainment will be by the Icelandic
Male Chorus and others.
This event is slated for Feb. 29th
6:30 p.m. at the Nordic Heritage
Museum.
SCANDINAVIAN CLUB OF
REGINA
The Club had a Christmas Party on
Sunday afternoon Dec. 6th at Cam-
pion College. Due to limited space
they could only accommodate club
members, their grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.
The 1987-88 executive are: Presi-
dent - Sharon Goodman, Vice-
President - Ron Norleen, Treasurer -
Margret Juliusson, Secretary - A1 An-
derson, Members - Darrell Gud-
mundson, May Pick, Vivian Norbrat-
en, Vern Gunnlaugson; Past Pres.
and newsletter - Jeane Laxdal; Mem-
bership - Sharon Goodman.
UPCOMING* FUNCTIONS
Jan. 31st: Salmon Supper, Campi-
on College; Feb.: Snow Party; March
25th: Spring Rites, Wa Wa Shrine
Temple, Supper and Dance.
Last October 24-th The Fall Frolics
at Wa Wa Temple is reported as hav-
going outside, wearing nothing but
his shirt. He was supposed to wear
only one leg of his trousers, dragging
the other behind him as he hopped
on one foot all the way around the
farm buildings. Some say he should
make three such rounds, bidding
Thorri welcome to his house. He was
then to invite his neighbours to a
feast.
The custom of welcoming Thorri in
this amusing way fell into disuse long
ago, but the practice of celebrating
Thorri with social gatherings was
taken up again at the turn of the cen-
tury. Thorrablót (Thorri sacrifices), as
these parties are called, are held both
in the countryside and in towns, and
entertainment having been excellent.
The Regina Newsletter outlines a
very interesting program, for 16 to 18
years old. We include it as published
by the Regina club as a matter of in-
formation. It is an interesting pro-
gram for young people and other
clubs may wish to have a similar pro-
gram for their young people.
The mailing address of the Regina
Club is: Scandinavian Club of Regi-
na, P.O. Box 6755, Regina, Sask., S4S
7E6.
* * *
EDMONTON ICELANDIC
SOCIETY
The following are highlighted in
their newsletter.
These are members elected to the
executive at the annual meeting on
Oct. 25th:
President - Sam Thorkelson; Vice-
President - Barney Stephanson;
Treasurer - Harold Halldorson; Secre-
tary - Shirley Sigurdson; Fundraising
- Herb Vigfusson; Sick and Visiting -
Helen Halldorson; Membership and
Phoning - Chris MacNaughton;
Newsletter Editor - Gloria Kren-
brenk; Culture Representative -
Shirley Lundberg; SHA Director -
Karl Sveinson.
The activity calendar includes,
Thorrablot at Innisfail April 9th,
Icelandic National League Confer-
ence at Innisfail April 8, 9 and 10, Al-
berta Icelandic Picnic at Markerville
June 18 and 19, lOOth Birthday
Celebrations Markerville July 29 to
are sponsored by various groups. The
food served is tradititonal, prepared
in ways which were much more
widespread before refrigeration be-
came common, and includes
smoked, salted, pickled and dried
items.
There is always an entertainment
programme at these winter parties,
and a lot of group singing. Afterwards
The Olafur Thorgeirson Almanak
1901 records the following events.
June 19 — An Icelandic celebration
was held in the Argyle District in
recognition of the 30th anniver-
sary of Icelanders settling in North
The following item appears in their
newsletter:
Our Wandering Past President
Gunnar Thorvaldson has been in
Iceland since July, and has been
spending most of his time in the
countryside. Right now he is work-
ing on a sheep farm at Sellfoss. He is
enjoying meeting old friends and
relatives, and meeting many new
people. He writes regularly to his sis-
ter Rose, the Thorkelsons and
winter
there is dancing. One of the best
things about the festivities is that
there is no generation gap — every-
one has a good time, both young and
old traditional Icelandic food is a
dominating treat at this time of year
as many people observe Thorrablót
at home or go out to restaurants,
many of which have Thorri food on
their menus.
America.
June 21 - 25 — The 16th Annual Con-
vention of the Evangehcal Icelan-
dic Lutheran Church in North
America was held in the church of
the Selkirk Congregation in
Manitoba.
June 24 — On Jónsmessu day special
services were held at Selkirk and
Winnipeg in commemoration of
the conversion of Icelanders to
Christianity 900 years ago.
August 2 — Icelandic Celebrations
were held at Winnipeg at Hnausa
in New Iceland, and Spanish Fork,
Utah. During September, 1900 the
paper Slkirkingur commenced
publication. The publisher was
S.B. Benediktsson of Selkirk.
November 6 — Jon Pordarson was re-
elected as a member of the lower
house in the North Dakota
ing been enjoyed by all, the food and August 1.
PUBLIC LECTURES
ICELANDIC STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF MANITOÐA
"Gyðinga saga, Alexanders saga, and Bishop Brandr Jónsson”, by Dr.
Kirsten Wolf, of The Arnamagnaen Dictionary, University of Copen-
hagen; Room 335 Isbister Building, 3:00 p.m., Thursday, January 21,
1988.
"The Hypothetical text: Stephan G. Stephansson's autobiography”, by
Kristjana Gunnars, graduate student, English, University of Manitoba,
Room 335 Isbister Building, 3:00 p.m., Thursday, January 28, 1988.
EVERYONE WELCOME
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Icelandic societies around the nation
Icelandic events in 1901