Lögberg-Heimskringla - 17.11.1989, Page 1

Lögberg

Inside this week: page A hunter with nothing to hunt 2 Feeling Responsible byJoan Eyolfson Cadham 3 Vilhjálmur Ámason gives Beck Lecture by W.D. Valgardson 4 lcelandic Recipes - Laufabrauð 5 Heimskringia Tlie Icelandic Weekly Lögberg Stofnað 14. janúar 1888 Heimskringla Stofnað 9. september 1886
101. Árgangur Föstudagur 17. nóvember 1989 Númer 39
lOlst Vear Friday, 17 November 1989 Number 39

Icelandic
News
lcelanders living abroad
can vote:
A law passed by the Alþingi stipu-
lates that Icelandiccitízens living abroad
can vote in federal and presidential
elections for eight years after their
departure from Iceland, as opposed to
the previous four-year limiL Their
names and last address in Iceland will
appear automatically on the electoral
register. Citízens who have lived abroad
for more than eight years can apply to
reenter the electoral register for an-
other four year period.
Application for ms have already been
distributed to all Icelandic embassies
and consulates. This law comes into
effect on December lst.
□ O □
Barn nátúrunnar:
InOctober, seventyyearshad passed
since Halldór Laxness’firstbook “Barn
nátúrunnar" (Nature’s Child), was
published. At a special event at the
Landsbókasafn, a bust of the author
was unveiled commemorating the
publication. It was announced that the
goverament of Iceland has decided that
a special place at a new library building
will be dedicated to Laxness and his
writing. Money has been designated
for the purpose of collecting materials
relating to his writing career.
□ □ □
Borgarleikhús’
official opening:
On October 21 st, at an official open-
ing of the Borgarleikliús (Cit/s The-
atre), Svavar Gestsson, Minister of
Cultureand Education, announcedthat
500 thousand krónas had been put
towards the establishment of a fund ío
encourage and promote Icelandic
dramaturgy, and that another500thou-
sand krónas will be added to it next
year.
Ólafur H. Símonarson, President of
the Icelandic Dramatists Association,
spoke also, complimenting Icelanders
on their exceptional interest in the
theatre.
Two plays premiered at the new
theatre in October: Ljós heimsins and
Höll sumarlandsins, both based on
Halldór Laxness’ book “Heimsljós”.
An Unforgetable Experience
By Heather Ireland
Travelling to Iceland - the country of
my forefathers at the request of the gov-
emment of my country, was indeed a
special experience - and it was unforge-
tablej
Ólafúr Vignir Albertsson had agreed
to accompany me at my recital and at the
reception given by Canadian Ambassa-
dor, Graham Mitchell. After a few rehears-
als, we were ready for the performances -
October 8th at Geráuberg Hall and Octo-
ber 9th at Hótel Saga. Attendance was
excellent at both events and the music
was very well received. The program fea-
tured Canadian music in English and
Icelandic.
Publicity for Canada Day and for my
concert took two forms:
1) I was interviewed by Channel 2 tele-
vision and asked to sing three songs on
their current events program. I shared
the program with illustrious company, as
it also featured a tape of President Vigdís’
visit to Canada, specifically, L’anse aux
Meadows.
2) Morgunblaðið newspaper printed a
full page article featuring an interview
with me illustrated with pictures.
Atthe Canadian Ambassador’s recep-
tion, I spoke at great length with Presi-
dent Vigdís. She has fond memories of
her visit to Vancouver last October. She
introduced me to the Prime Minister and
his wife. The Ambassador from Britain
paid his respects and a group of Russian
diplomats expressed their appreciation for
the music. I spoke with Dr. Finnbogi
Heather Ireland
Guðmundsson and with J ón pórarinsson -
Iceland’s leading composer. He gave me a
book of his music and a record. Other
guests included business and media people
from Reylgavík and representatives of the
Canadian government and approximately
forty Canadian businesses interested in
trading with Iceland.
My husband, Bill, who arrived in Ice-
land October 8th, and I experienced many
examples ofwonderful Icelandic hospital-
ity. Jón Bergs, Honorary Canadian Con-
sul, and his wife Gyða invited us to dinner
-as did Heimir Hannesson of the Agricul-
tural Bankof Iceland, and his wife Oddný,
and Friðrik Ólafsson, secretary general of
the Alping and his wife Auður.
Friðrik arranged for us to attend the
opening of Parliament (the oldest in the
world) on October lOth. Achurch service
in the Dómkirkja was followed by a cere-
mony in the Aljúng.
We flew to Egilsstaðir on October
13th to sing at a concert the next night.
This provided me with an opportunity
to visit the land of my langafi, Jón
Guttormsson, father of Guttormur, and
to meet many relatives.
Our visit to Iceland concluded with a
two day drive along the south coast back
to Reykjavík. Yes, the ring road is com-
plete, but the quality of the road surface
did vary. (We became expert at pot-hole
maneuvering!) And the scenery, it was
spectacular. We saw snow capped moun-
tains, glaciers, waterfalls, lava fields, etc.
Sunshine would have enhanced the col-
ors, but we still could experience the
special mood and majesty of the area.
Now we dream about our next visit.
Youth
Fall
Feast
Unnur Larsen a youth
member of the Leif Eiriksson
Icelandic club in Calgary,
recently co-ordinated the
club’s younger members to host
an old-fashioned pot luck
supper and activity night. The
objective of the event was to sit
andvisit,catchuponeach other’s
summer news, play games or
watch videos and/or slides
from Iceland.
The young people looked
after details and the event was a
tremendous success.
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