Lögberg-Heimskringla - 06.05.1994, Side 1

Lögberg-Heimskringla - 06.05.1994, Side 1
Lögberg ] eimskringia The lcelandic Weekly LoRbcrtt Stofnaö 14. jnminr 1888 HcimskriniJln Stofnnö 9. scptombcr 1886 108. Árgangur 108th Year Publications Mail Registration No. 1667 Föstudagur 6. maí 1994 Friday, 6 May 1994 Subscribe Now We wouldn’t want you to miss any of our great issues See page 3 for details! Númer 16 Number 16 Uceland Cclebpafes 1944 Junc 17th 1994 50th Anniversary of the lcelandic Republic Official national celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Republic will be held at Þingvellir. A draft programme has been prepared: 08:25-08:30 09:30- 10:15- 11:00- 12:00- 13:30- 15:30- 10:15 10:50 12:00 •13:30 -15:30 -17:00 17 June 1994 Church bells ring all over lceland and flags will be raised Religious service “Heritage” programme Open-air meeting of the Alþing (Parliament) “Heritage” programme Official activities and ceremonies Entertainment programme 0n June 18 and 19, celebrations will be held with special programmes of activities all over lceland, the largest of them in the capital, Reykjavík. In addition, a wide range of activities are planned in many parts of lceland throughout the summer, with exhibitions and shows, sports events, concerts, and various cultural and folk activities to mark the anniversary. This year, 1994, Icelanders cele- brate a milestone in the history of the country when the nation- als along with representatives of other nations will gather at Þingvellir to commemorate the establishment of the Republic of Iceland that took place on the same grounds on June 17,1944. Þingvellir has been the scene of many of the most notable events in Iceland’s history. The name means “Parliament Plains,” given after it was chosen as the site of the Alþing nation- al assembly in the year 930. Þingvellir is a place of dramatic natural beauty, lying on the shores of Lake Þing- vallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland. The grass-covered lava plains lie in the fault valley where the continental plates of Eurasia and America are moving apart at the rate of 1-2 cm every year. Lake Þingvallavatn is fed from freshwater springs that well up through its lava bed, but early settlers also diverted a river into it, creating a waterfall that falls over the site of Almannagjá (“People’s Chasm”). Until 1798, Parliament met beneath Lögberg (“Law Rock”). Delegates would camp or stay in turf booths on the plains beneath it. In 1928, Þingvellir was declared Iceland’s first national park, a “nation- al shrine”. And once again, on June 17, the people of Iceland will gather on these historical grounds to witness yet another milestone in the country’s his- tory. They will be joined by dignitaries from other nations, Kings, Queens, Presidents and other representatives. The Icelandic hospitality will shine, we are sure, to make this day as memo- rable as June 17, 1944 was and in more recent memory, the l,100th anniversary of the settlement in 1974. Icelandic citizens living abroad are expected to come home in great num- bers this summer and also descendants of the people that left Iceland during the difficult period of the latter part of the 19th century. This is truly a year of celebrations in Iceland, and they have already started, with events taking place all over the countiy alomost every weekend. Yes, this is the year to visit and join Icelanders in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Icelandic Republic. There have been many milestones in the country’s history, the following being some of the most historical: 874-930 The settlement peiod. 930 Establishment of the Alþing - now the world’s oldest extant national assembly - at ÞINGVELLIR. Iceland’s republi- can system of government was unique in its day. 1000 Adoption of Christianity, peace- fully, at Þingvellir. 13 th century — “Golden Age’’ when the Sagas were written. The Sagas include some of the classics of the world’s medievai litera- ture and are written in the ancient Viking language which is still spoken in lceland today. 1262 lceland becomes part of Norwegian crown. 1380 lceland, with Norway, becomes part of the Danish crown. 1874 Millennium of the settlement of lceland celebrated at ÞINGVELLIR. A constitution is granted by the King of Denmark. 1904 Home rule. Appointment of the first lcelandic govemment minister. 1918 Act of Crown Union with Denmark, lceland assumes full control of virtually all its domestic affairs, with the Danish King as head of state. 1930 Millennium of the establish- ment of the Alþing parliament, celebrated at ÞINGVELLIR. 1944 The Modern Republic of lceland is established at ÞINGVELLIR, following a refer- endum in which 97% voted in favour of independence. Iceland becomes an indepen- dent pariiamentary democracy with a President as head of state. 1974 llOOth anniversary of the set- tlement of lceland celebrated at ÞINGVELLIR. As can be seen from the above, ÞINGVELLIR has been the site of some of the most histor- ical events in Iceland’s histoiy, and so it will be once again this coming June 17th. Hopefully many of our readers will have an opportunity to be there at that time. BIRGIR Lö^bers-HcímskrmsU scribs tke lceUnbíc Kr» its bcst wíshes oti i bístoríc occASion. v\ the suys shitie on 1ccUr»Þcrs.

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