The White Falcon - 08.01.1993, Blaðsíða 9

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In and About Iceland

Editor's note: The following is reprinted,
permission, from News From Iceland.
estern European Union:
Agreement signed
Iceland, Norway and Turkey signed a
common document granting the three na-
tions observer and associate membership in
the Western European Union (WEU) at a
meeting of WEU foreign ministers in Rome
last November 20.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the
move is seen as a step towards strengthening
the European pillar within NATO as a way of
reinforcing the integrity and effectiveness of
the Atlantic alliance.
Iceland’s new status allows it to participate
fully in WEU meetings, work committees
and sub-agencies. Additionally Iceland can
now be included in decisions made by WEU
member states and take part in theirperform-
ance.
Tariffs on vessel operators
A newly fashioned development fee to be
levied on assigned cod-equivalent quotas
itarting in the 1996-97 fisheries year has
earmarked for a state Fisheries Devel-
Fund (FDF), scheduled for immedi-
te establishment This is just one of a slew
of economic revival measures proposed by
Prime Minister Davfd Odds son’s coalition
IVVIVAJ \
^^tarting
eslal
government
Supporters of the new fisheries fee claim
the implementation of quota limits on sea-
food stocks leaves no other feasible way to
enforce the Erst clause of Icelandic fisheries
law, stating that fishing grounds are the
common property of the nation.
Opponents of the new fee reject the con-
tention that such a levy on fishing rights is
natural and have claimed that the fisheries fee
is simply another form of taxation.
FAO report pegs fish con-
sumption at 90kg
A new report by the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
estimates that Icelanders consume about
23,000 tons of fish annually, or almost 90 kg
per capita, more than any other European
nation.
The FAO numbers, which are in agree-
with figures provided by the Fisheries
iation of Iceland, are far and away
than the 6,120 tons of domestic con-
sumption reported in government records
here.
^^ment v
JfflRk'.coci
One explanation that has been forwarded
is that the 17,000 ton difference is made up of
fish travelling directly from fishing vessels to
the dinner table or restaurant
Two new works on medieval
Iceland published in U.S.
U.S. publishing house Farleigh Dickinson
University Press recently published an Eng-
lish translation of one of the classic works of
Icelandic medieval literature, Gunnlaugssaga
ornstungu. Written by E. Paul and Dorothy
Durrenberger, the work is entitled The Saga
of Gunnlaugur Snake’s Tongue with an Es-
say on the Structure and Translation of the
Saga. Co-editor with Gfsli Pdlsson in 1989 of
The Anthropology of Iceland, E. Paul Dur-
renberger is professor of anthropology at the
University of Iowa.
The work may be obtained directly from
the publishers, prices for $26.50.
In addition, this month will see the issue of
a further work by Durrenberger, The Dynam-
ics of Medieval Iceland: Political Economy
and Literature, to be published by the Uni-
versity of Iowa Press.
Sand to the Sahara or the
blues to Chicago
Anyone contemplating selling sand in the
Sahara or fridges in the Arctic would be well
advised to talk first to the Icelandic band
Vinir Ddra, known abroad as Blue Ice, who
recently took the blues to Chicago and
emerged with one of international
advertising’s highest accolades, a 1992 Clio
award, presented this year by Screen Maga-
zine.
“Absurd,” was the laconic comment of
Hallddr Bragason founder-member of what
is one of Iceland’s quietest bands, in blues, in
the sense that they let their music rather than
their mouths do die talking.
In recent years, the four-man band has
been steadily gaining respect both in the U.S.
and Europe, and its Chicago connection has
enabled Icelandic audiences to enjoy live
performances of blues artists.
Altar piece discovered
Restorers at the National Museum of Ice-
land are currently working to save a 17th-
century altar piece found unexpectedly in the
church at St6ri-As in Hdlsasveit, Bor-
garfjordur, west Iceland.
The altar piece came to light when the
current piece was taken down for repairs.
Depicting the Last Supper, the 300-year-
old piece is mentioned nowhere in existent
church records. According to art conservator
Olafur Jdnsson, it is in poor condition, and
restoration work will take some time.
Meanwhile, investigations on the mystery
altar piece, and its origins, are continuing.
Reykjavik Museums
Arbsejarsafh Folk Museum: Fas-
cinating items from the material
culture of Iceland’s past Open by
arrangement and on weekends, 10
a.m. to 6 p.m.
The National Museum: Home of
some of Iceland’s greatest histori-
cal treasures. Open daily 11 a.m. to
4 p.m except Mon.
The Children’s Zoo: Contains all
Eve of Iceland’s wild land mam-
mals (rats, mice, Arctic foxes, mink
and reindeer) plus seals, dogs and a
variety offann animals. Open Mon.,
Tues., Thur., and Fri. 1 to 5 p.m.;
SaL, and Sun-, 1 to 5 p.m.
The Natural History Museum:
A small museum packed with
models and exhibits including a
stuffed Great Auk (long extinct).
Open Tues., Tbutr., and weekends,
1:30 to 4 p.m.
Nordic House: Contains a library
of Nordic books, newspapers. Also
features lecturers, videos and exhi-
bitions. Open Mon. to Sat, 9 a.m.
to 7 pm,; Sun- noon to 7 p.m.
The Icelandic Maritime Museum:
Open daily 2 to 6 p.m. except Mon.
Gerduberg Arts Center: Features
paintings from the City Council's
extensive collection of Icelandic
masters old and new on permanent
display. Open Mon. to Thur., 10:30
am. to lOpjm; Fri, 10:30 a.m. to4
pm; Sat 1 to 4 p.m.
Theatre, opera, gallery and sym-
phony orchestra opportunities are
also available. Look for more in-
formation in up-coming editions of
The White Falcon for details or 1
contact the Tour Office at ext4200
or the Tourist Information Center
in Reykjavik at 9-91-623045.
January 8,1993
9