Lögberg-Heimskringla - 12.02.1988, Blaðsíða 8

8-LÖGBERG CENTENNIAL YEAR, FÖSTUDAGUR 12. FEBRÚAR 1988
Val Bjornson Scholarship Fund
The University of Minnesota and
The University of Iceland have a
student and faculty exchange pro-
gram which has been named in
honour of the late Valdimar Bjorn-
son, who had been one of the prime
movers in establishing this
program.
He graduated from the Universi-
ty of Minnesota in 1930. He was al-
ways politically active and was for
22 years treasurer of the State of
Minnesota.
During World War II he served in
the U.S. Navy being posted to Ice-
land. He was involved in the treaty
arrangements which led to the es-
tablishment of The American
Valdimar Bjornson
Forces peacetime base in Iceland.
While in Iceland Valdimar mar-
270 unemployed in
Iceland during Nov.
Acccording to the Morgunblað
there were 270 unemployed during
the month of November. This
represents a quarter of the average
unemployed during this same peri-
od for the past five years. 5,800 un-
employment days were recorded
during November this translates
into 270 persons unemployed on
the average for the month, or 0.2
per cent of the work force, and is
an increase of 26 per cent over Oct.
but a decrease of 1200 or 44 per
cent from November last year.
The increase over October fol-
lows an annual increase compara-
ble to previous years.
Unemployed around the country
is variable with a 9.2 per cent figure
for November or an average of 25
persons in Reykjavík which
represents more than a third of the
population.
These figures are in stark contrast
to the numbers of unemployed we
experience in Canada. Probably the
figures are not comparable if we
consider the percentages actively
seeking employment in the two
countries. It is possible the high
motivation factor, or desire by lce-
landers to be employed that in-
fluences these contrasts of
unemployment.
Awakening interest
in their land
For sixty years the travel associa-
tion of Iceland has been engaged in
urging Icelanders to travel through-
out their own country. The associ-
ation has done this through organiz-
ing trips, publish maps and 59 year-
ly travel guides, which contain a
wealth of information about the
country. In addition they have built
wayside shelters, and footbridges
over rivers.
The membership is over 8,000
throughout various parts of Iceland.
Many of the amenities have been
created through the voluntary effort
of members over the years.
The association began in 1927 and
the first wayside shelter was built
in 1930. The first trip was organized
in 1929, now there are 220 trips
each year, and 6,000 people are ex-
pected to take part this year.
From this, it is evident that the as-
sociation is quite active and many
people are attracted by these trips.
The foregoing is based on and
translated from an article in the
Morgunblað. .
News from the clubs
The Icelandic Canadian Club
of British Columbia
The January Newsletter advises
that they had an invitation from the
office of the Cultural Heritage Advi-
sor of B.C. inviting them to decorate
a Christmas tree to honor Iceland to
stand in the Plaza of Nations on the
Expo site.
The event organizers said that their
tree was very well received by the
public because it had such an, ''old
world charm."
W. D. Valgardson of Victoria re-
cently won first prize in the radio
play category of the ninth CBC Ra-
dio Literary Competition.
Edmonton Society
They report their Christmas party
as having been a great success judg-
ing by the number of kids.
The Saga Singers sang a few of the
Icelandic favourites and they will be
performing at the Markerville Cen-
tennial this summer.
ried Gudrun Jonsdottir from lsaf-
jord Iceland. She passed away dur-
ing March, 1987 at the age of 80.
The two universities in addition
to student and faculty exchange ar-
rangements, encourage collabora-
tion of scholarship and research.
These arrangements have been in
'effect since the fall of 1983, follow-
ing the signing of the agreement by
C. Peter Magrath, President of the
University pf Minnesota and Gud-
mundur K. Magnusson, President
of the University of Iceland.
There have been six Icelandic stu-
dents attending the University of
Minnesota and six American stu-
dents at the University of Iceland
under these arrangements. More
than 100 students from Iceland
have graduated from the Universi-
ty of Minnesota and there are
presently 30 Icelandic students at
the university.
The Val Bjornson Scholarship
Fund is supported through commu-
nity participation. An Icelandic —
Minnesota Advisory committee is
made up of representatives from the
local Icelandic community and the
University of Minnesota which pro-
vides leadership in soliciting sup-
port in the Twin Cities area. A
University of Minnesota Alumni
chapter in Reykjavík provides simi-
lar support.
Those wishing to support the Val
Bjornson Scholarship Fund should
mail their donations to: Office of
Development, University of Min-
nesota, 120 Morrell Hall, 100
Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, Minn.
55455
L. Kristjanson
Lögberg-Heimskringla
has a new home
We have moved from
525 Kylemore Ave., and
the new address is: Room
.40-339 Strathmillan Road,
Winnipeg, Man. R3J 2V6.
Phone: 831-8952.
Access is by way of the
front door, or preferrably,
the N.E. entrance.
Icelandic Canadian Fron
and Lögberg-Heimskringla
presents Thorrablot 1988
celebrating the lOOth Anniversary of Lögberg
Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Scandinavian Centre
764 Erin St., Winnipeg, MB
All Icelandic Smorgasbord Dinner 6:00 - 8:00
Displays and entertainment upstairs
Dancing Downstairs 8 - 1 a.m.
Tickets $20 per person $15 Students & Seniors
Please phone Lögberg-Heimskringla office 10 - 3 Monday - Friday
or Viking Room Lounge, Scandinavian Centre
11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Monday - Friday
Pick up tickets early to avoid disappointment,
can not guarantee tickets at the door.
|#
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