Lögberg-Heimskringla - 02.09.1994, Qupperneq 4

4 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 2. september 1994
By David Gislason
CongratuCations ‘foCI&rama!!!
We are delighted to have this opportunity to extend
sincere congratulations to everyone involved in the 25th
annual Folklorama, Canada’s Cultural Celebration.
We commend the achievements and contributions of
each and every one who has served to further our
understanding and appreciation of the ethnocultural
communities of our province and country. Through the
continued enthusiasm, pride and commitment of
thousands of dedicated volunteers, visitors from near
and far have the opportunity to learn of others’ cultural
heritages through delicious food, outstanding
entertainment, colourful cultural displays, and warm and
gracious hospitality.
We especially acknowledge and thank the many
volunteers of the Scandinavian Pavilion for your tireless
efforts on behalf of your community. Your participation
ensured the success of your pavilion, and of Folklorama
1994.
Thank You

Gary Filmon
Premier

Harold Gilleshammer
Minister of Culture, Heritage
and Citizenship
Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism
<$%
Manitoba
1994 is a year of celebra-
tion for Iceland, and peo-
ple of Icelandic descent.
While the occasion marks the
fiftieth anniversary of the sec-
ond republic of Iceland, a
number of other events are
taking place this year. One of
these was the unveiling of a
statue commemorating the
mother of the first European
baby bom in North America,
Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir
and her son Snorri Þorfinn-
son. The statue was presented
as a gift from North
Americans of Icelandic
descent.
On July 9, the people of
Skagafjörður gathered to wit-
ness the unveiling. It was a
beautiful summer aftemoon at
Glaumbær when President
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir arrived
to unveil the statue, a replica
of one done by the sculptor
Ásmundur Sveinson for the
1939 World’s Fair in New
York.
The occasion began with a
service held in the church,
and proceeded to the grounds
outside. Glaumbær was cho-
sen as the location for the
statue because the explorers
Guðríður and her husband
Þorfinnur Karlsefni returned
from their joumey to the New
World to íive at Glaumbær.
Icelandic hospitality, “Jóiakaka" and “kleinur" served by local ladies
in their beautiful lcelandic costumes,
(note the old wooden serving vessels). Photo: David Gislason
The winter that baby Snorri
was born, they had spent at
the Vinland settlement, previ-
ously established and later
abandoned by Leifur Eiríksson
about the year 990.
The respect shown
President Vigdís by her coun-
trymen was tangible and obvi-
ous as she unveiled the new
memorial, making the day
even more memorable as she
moved among the people with
her accustomed grace.
The “Karlakór Heimir”, a
male voice choir of 24 voices
sang outdoors and unaccom-
panied, a number of selections
including a stirring rendition
of Matthías Jochumson’s
“Skín við Sólu Skagafjörður”.
Coffee was served outdoors
against a backdrop of sod
walls of the old farm buildings
at Glaumbær.
Guðny Cronshaw was
thrilled to have the
opportunity to attend
the unveiling of the Snorri
Þorfinnson monument at
Glaumbaer, Skagafjörd, dur-
ing her recent trip to Iceland.
A ceremony took place at the
site and Vigdís Finnboga-
dóttir, president of Iceland,
unveiled the statue.
The statue gives recogni-
tion to the first European
child bom in the New World,
Snorri Þorfinnsson, as well as
his mother Guðríður Þor-
bjarnardóttir who has been
portrayed as a very indepen-
dent and courageous person.
Snorri’s parents returned to
Iceland from Vínland when
he was a very young child
and settled at
G 1 a u m b æ r
where his father
Þorfinnur had
come from. All three are
buried by the church which
was erected by Snorri, and
this church still stands to this
day.
To be able to attend this
ceremony was all the more
meaningful for Guðny since
she was aware that her
genealogy had been traced
back to Þorfinnur Karlsefni,
Snorri’s father and even
beyond.
Guðny’s great uncle,
Marteinn Jónsson, emigrated
to America with his brother,
Guðny’s grandfather, Josef
Edvard Jónsson, from Lax-
árdal, in 1879. Josef and his
family eventually settled
at “Bergstöðum” in the
Minerva District near Gimli.
Marteinn lived with Josef
and his family until he mar-
ried later in life. Marteinn
traced the family tree, not
only back to Þorfinnur
Karlsefni, but back to the
____________ 800’s and to
President Vigdís at
the ceremony.
Photo: Dilla Narfason
Statue; “The First
European Mother in
North America”
Photo: David Gislason