Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.12.1995, Page 1

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109. Árgangur Föstudagur 15. desember 1995 Númer 45
109th Year Publications Mail Registration No. 1667 Friday, 15 December 1995 Number 45

- ' ' J
I hereby announce that Iceland is Santa Clausland
and Hveragerði is Yuletidetown. From now on
I will reside here”.
With these words Santa Claus told the children of the world
of his move to Hveragerði, a small picturesque town
in southwest Iceland well known
for its geothermal springs.
le^lan«ft
anta Claus has now
taken up residence in
Hveragerði, Iceland.
He made a public
announcement on
October 17, 1995, where he said: “I
hereby announce that Iceland is Santa
Clausland and Hveragerði is
Yuletidetown. From now on I will
reside here”.
With these words Santa Claus told
the children of the world of his move
to Hveragerði, a small picturesque
town in southwest Iceland well
known for its geothermal springs.
Up to now Santa Claus has lived in
several northern countries, but has
never been quite happy until he
moved to Hveragerði. He is very
impressed with the hot springs and his
rheumatism is much improved since
he got himself a jacuzzi. Many of his
distant relatives live in the area
around Hveragerði and most of them
have worked for him to prepare the
Christmas celebration which opened
in Hveragerði at the end of November.
Helgi Pétursson, director of Santa
Clausland said that the aim was to
create an adventure. “We want to
introduce Icelandic Christmas tradi-
tions to guests from home and abroad.
Hveragerði will be transformed into a
Yuletidetown where people can come
and experience the Christmas spirit.”
The town of Hveragerði will be illumi-
nated, businesses, homes, hot houses,
the waterfall and the hot springs. The
lights were lit on November 24 when
the celebration began and it will last
until Epiphany, January 6.
There will be great festivity
throughout Hveragerði. The Icelandic
Yuletidelads and their parents, Grýla
and Leppalúði are busy preparing with
most of the famiiy working in busi-
nesses in Hveragerði.
Headquarters for the Yuletideland
will be at the Yule-Palace (the old
Amusement Park) which will be deco-
rated throughout. The largest
Christmas tree in the country will be
placed there, as well as a Christmas
Post Office, an amusement park for
the children, etc. Visitors can begin
their visit at the Yule-Palace and then
take a tour of the village where many
happenings will take place.
The travel agency “Landsýn” along
with Icelandair are offering trips from
London to the Yuletideland with
accommodation in Hveragerði and
neighbourhood.
The Yuletideland will receive much
publicity in London with emphasis on
Iceland being Santa Clausland, and
that he has an Icelandic family well
worth getting to know. Helgi
Pétursson said that the idea of Iceland
being the Santa Clausland had been
well received and that those working
on the project are all interested in
making it a good experience.
GI