Lögberg-Heimskringla - 07.07.2000, Síða 5

Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 7. júlí 2000 • 5
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Special guests join Icelandic Camp
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Guðrún Agústsdóttir and Svavar Gestsson to volunteer as instructors
Guðrún Ágústsdóttir (right) donates materials to Kendra Jónasson and the other
organizers ofthe the ILCC. Photo: Jón Einars. Gustafsson

The Icelandic Language and
Cultural Camp is pleased to
announce that Guðrún Ágústs-
dóttir and Svavar Gestsson will be join-
ing the camp as guest instructors this
summer. Guðrún has been involved
with the ILCC board of directors for the
past year, working to secure donations
of materials from Iceland. We are par-
ticularly grateful for the maps, flags,
teaching materials, and books which
have found their way to the children
through Guðrún.
Unable to attend last summer, the
couple lent some books from their per-
sonal library to the Camp, including
large picture books of the landscapes of
the late Lousia Matthiasdóttir. Louisa’s
works evoke the awesome beauty of
Iceland, and elicit a sense of the
Icelandic character. These works
proved to be an inspiration for the
mural painting.
There is much to celebrate for
Icelanders this year, with the lOOOth
anniversary of Iceland’s conversion to
Christianity and the 125th annivers.ary
of the founding of New Iceland, not to
mention Björk’s win as an actress at the
Cannes film festival. In keeping with
the millennium celebrations, the theme
for this ýear’s Camp is a survey of spir-
itual beliefs—from paganism to
Lutheranism, with sagas, stories of
trolls and ghosts, and history rounding
out the lessons. As well, contemporary
music, films, and artwill.be covered.
This year the Camp will run from
July 23 to July 28 at Camp Ames, and
the registration deadline is fast
approaching. Although the camp is an
ovemight affair, we are offering the
opportunity for day campers this year at
a reduced rate. Day Campers will attend
from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (although tim-
ings are flexible). The fee is $150 for
the week, all meals, snacks, and materi-
als included. Some bursaries may be
available on a needs basis.
For more information, contact Andi
Mclntosh (Winnipeg) at 475-6150
(please leave a message if I’m not avail-
able), or Kendra Jonasson (Winnipeg)
at 452-5378.
Minnist
BETEL
ÍERFÐASKKÁMYÐAR
And for the body, swimming, hiking,
and wall climbing aie pait of the fun.
BHBM [* | BHV1 |[l
Cloisters in Iceland
On June 13 a show opened at Viðey
school, titled “Cloisters in Iceland.”
The show is intended to give an overview
over cloisters in Iceland in the Middle
Ages, their location, time period, and
religious orders.
The intention is to show through text
and pictures the cloisters’ value to the
cultural life in Iceland, both the spiritual
side and working side. This is referring to
history writing and the accompanying
curing of hides. At the same time the
intention is to draw attention to the great
property management, farming, outfit-
ting, etc. Ancient artifacts will be on dis-
play, some froin the archeological exca-
vation at Viðey, as well as sketches, pho-
tographs, and mannequins.
According to Pastor Þórir
Stephensen, program director at Viðey,
emphasis will also be placed on explain-
ing daily life at the cloisters. “Never
before has there been a show like this
one, and I suspect that many will find it
interesting,” said Pastor Þórir.
Because of the connection between
Icelandic cloisters to the pilgrimages (or
journeys south) such as to Santiago de
Compostela, one of Europe’s cultural
cities in the year 2000, there will be a
special attention given to that aspect.
“The Icelandic cloisters were the nation’s
holiest places, with the exception of the
Bishop’s seats. This aspect will be
emphasised,” Pastor Þórir said.
“We must not forget that the cloisters
were a part of an intemational movement
and many of them opened doors to the
Christian world; these doors made it pos-
sible for people to get acquainted with the
cultures of other European countries.
Last but not least, life in the cloisters will
be described, the vows of chastity, chari-
ty, and poverty; the self-discipline, chari-
table service, the prayer life,” said Pastor
Þórir Stephensen. Artist Steinþór
Sigurðsson has prepared and arranged the
show. For this purpose a handsome intro-
duction program has been published
which includes Ingunn Lovísa
Ragnarsdóttir’s paper, “The Life in
Icelandic Cloisters.” Pastor Þórir said
that the show is expected to last for at
least two years.
The Viðey school is the eastemmost
building on the island, built in 1928. A
school was operated there while popula-
tion in Viðey required it. According to
Pastor Þórir the building has been refur-
bished and is now an excellent facility for
exhibits and shows.
It is expected that conferences and
other events will take place at Viðey dur-
ing the time the show is on. On June 18 a
Catholic Bishop’s Service was conducted
in Viðey. Following the service the
Benedictine monk Aidan Bellenger from
Downside Abbey gave a lecture on the
Benedictine order in the Middle Ages,
and Pastor Kristján Valur Ingólfsson
Rector of the Skálholt school gave an
address on liturgy in the Middle Ages. On
June 16 a service was held where Pastor
Guðmundur Þorsteinsson, Dean of the
Reykjavík Cathedral, preached, followed
by a walk to holy places on the island.
Two religious orders were estab-
lished in Iceland, the Benedictine and
Augustinian Orders, named by the holy
men, St. Benedict of Nursia (480-543)
and St. Augustine, one of the Church
fathers (354-430).
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