Lögberg-Heimskringla - 26.01.1990, Page 1

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KALX0FN3VEGI 1
150 RV.YKJAVIK ICGÍjAND .
Inside this week:
Book reviews................................page 2
Worst storm and flood this century...............3
Lake Winnipeg Veteran, by Kristiana Magnusson....6
Letters to the editor............................7
Lögberg
Heimskringla
The Icelandic Weekly
Lögberg Stofnað 14. janúar 1888 Heimskringla Stofnað 9. september 1886
102. Árgangur
102nd Year
Föstudagur 26. janúar 1990
Friday, 26 January 1990
Númer 2
Number 2
Multicultural Fair at the U.ofM.
From the 17th-19th of January, 1990,
the University of Manitoba Icelandic Stu-
dent Society (UMISS), along with other
groups belonging to the Intemational
Student Organization (ISO), held a mul-
ticultural fair at the University. Represen-
tatives of many different nations held
their displays throughout University
Centre, and the Icelandic display was
certainly one of the most interesting.
ColinTrygvason, president of UMISS, co-
ordinated the events.
The first day was very busy. In addi-
tion to the display, there was a well-at-
tended demonstration of Icelandic glíma
(wrestling). The lunchtime crowd of two
hundred or more had a very good time.
The display table was a wonderful
sight to behold. Information on Iceland
and Icelanders in Canada were readily
available. The table was attended by Ice-
landic Studies students who would an-
swer any questions a passer-by might
ask. Anna Jóhannesdóttir came to the
display in Icelandic national dress, the
upphlutur, a highlight of the display.
After the glíma demonstration, focus
shifted to a pleasant lecture theatre in
University Centre. Two fascinating talks
were given there.
Dr. Albert Kristjanson spoke of a jour-
ney he took to Iceland on sabbatical one
year. He related how impressed he was
by the children, how they took very good
care of their younger siblings. He also
commented on the Icelanders’ undying
optimism. One thing he thought illus-
trated this was an occinrence in the Vest-
mannaeyjar during the volcanic emption:
not only did the Icelanders divert a poten-
tially catastrophic flow of lava away from
their houses, they did it in such a way as
to simultaneously improve their harbour.
Albert also mentioned that Iceland has
one of the world’s lowest infant mortality
rates as well as one of the world’s longest
life expectancy rates. But with advan-
tages such as these, why would anyone
want to leave this country?
David Amason answered this ques-
tion in his short, entertaining history of
the Icelandic settlers in Manitoba. Condi-
tions in Iceland during the emigration
period were much more harsh than
nowadays, yet the Icelanders didn’t seem
to have it any easier in North America.
They arrived in one of the worst winters
ever, suffered through a polio epidemic
and harsh conditions.
David Amason is more concemed
with the mythology surrounding the set-
tlement than in the dry history.
Dr. Albert
Kristjanson
Below:
Dr. David
Arnason
Left:
Display Table
Lower Left:
Food Fair
Gtima Display
Mythological elements pervade
Westem Icelandic history, and David at-
tributes to this mythology the cultural
strength of the Icelanders in Manitoba-
they do not maintain their culture by
preserving their language! The settle-
ment at Gimli is named after the post-
apocalyptic paradise that arises from the
waters following Ragnarök. The early
settlers also experienced a “greatflood”,
religious schizms, the stuff that myths
are made of.
After the talks, the first day was
rounded off by showing a documentary
featuring Icelandic volcanoes.
The second day featured only the dis-
play table, but on the third day the stu-
dents participated in a multicultural food
fair, selling Icelandic food to their fellow
students.
All in all, the Multicultural Fair was a
success. The Icelandic Programme
being one of the most interesting organ-
ized.
Planning for the
Evelyn Thorvaldson
Preliminary planning for the an-
nual Icelandic National League Con-
vention is well underway, according
to Evelyn Thorvaldson who heads a
special committee in charge of organ-
INL Convention
izing the event.
This year, the convention will be held
on May 4th, 5th, and 6th at the University
of Manitoba’s University College in Win-
nipeg. Evelyn said that registration will
take place on Friday the 4th at 5 p.m. and
that all INL chapters will be notified soon,
with a request for information on how
many delegates will attend.
The INL executive is considering invit-
ing representatives from a number of
Icelandic organizations to attend the
conference and participate in panel dis-
cussions, which will deal with some veiy
important issues such as the future of the
Icelandic community in North America.
The Icelandic National League encour-
ages chapter delegates and friends to at-
tend thisvery important convention. More
information about it will appear in this
paper at a later date.