The White Falcon - 15.01.1993, Blaðsíða 5

u
News from Iceland

Editor’s note: The following is reprinted,
ith permission, from News From Iceland.

Bill requires translation of
foreign-language shows
Scheduled foreign television broadcasts will
be required by law to carry Icelandic subtitles
or be dubbed, according to a new draft bill
tabled by the minister of education.
The new proposal is drawn up in anticipa-
tion of possible inclusion in the European
Economic Area, membership in which pro-
hibits nations from restricting distribution of
television broadcasts within Europe, in which
case the minister would like to make the
current translation obligations law.
Tighter conditions for pur-
chases of farmland
Sales of farmland are subject to substan-
tially stricter conditions in a new draft bill
tabled by Agriculture Minister Hallddr
Blondal.
Drawn up as a protective clause in response
Jo the proposed European Economic Area
EA) agreement, which requires that Icelan-
ders and non-nationals be subject to the same
laws when purchasing real estate, the draft
bill requires buyers of farmland to have re-
sided thereon for a period of five years or to
reside next to the property in order to utilize it.
The proposal also allows district authori-
ties or communities to require prospective
buyers to use land for agricultural purposes or
other activities.

Reykjavik priciest capital
Reykjavik is far and away the most expen-
sive metropolitan area in Europe, according
to a new price survey in nine European capi-
tals.
Undertaken by price and competition au-
thorities in Stockholm and covering 35 brand-
name products/services, the survey placed
prices in Iceland’s capital at the top for 16
items, with five of the 35 products/services
investigated second-most-expensive in the
northern capital.
Only one service, making an extra set of car
keys, proved least expensive in comparison to
prices in Stockholm, Hamburg, Helsinki,
Paris, London, Oslo, Vienna and Copenhagen.
Iceland’s Price and Competition Authority
id the substantially higher prices in
Reykjavik were traceable to a lack of compe-
tition.
Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe recently stopped in Iceland
and met with officials from the Government of Iceland, including Iceland's Minister for
Foreign Affairs, J6n Baldvin Hannibalsson. Subjects discussed included the potential role
of NATO peacekeeping in troubled spots in Europe, the military presence of the United States
in Europe and Iceland, and Iceland's role in NATO. (Photo by J02 Colleen C. Casper)
History of the Icelandic days
Did you know that our days of the week are
named after theNorse and/or Germanic gods?
During the advent of Catholicism in approxi-
mately the 10th century, the pagan name-
sakes used in Iceland were forsaken and were
replaced with new names.
Sunday and Monday were not radically
changed. Sunnudagur (Sunday) honors the
sun and Manudagur (Monday) honors the
moon.
Tuesday in old Icelandic was Tysdagur and
this day paid tribute to Tyr, the god of war and
victory. He was the son of Odinn and was
represented with one hand, the other was bit-
ten off by the wolf Femir. Now, Tuesday is
called Jrridjudagur ({rridji, meaning third and
dagur, meaning day.)
Wednesday in old Icelandic was known as
Odinsdagur, in honor of the Nordic god Odinn,
the chief deity and god of wisdom, culture,
and the dead, or after the English chief hea-
then god Woden. Now, Wednesday is
Midvikudagur, or mid-week.
of the week
Thursday was {rordagur for the god jror,
who was the son of Odinn and the god of
thunder, war and strength. He had a magic
hammer with which he destroyed the ene-
mies of the gods. Thursday is now Fimmtuda-
gur, or the fifth day.
Freysdagur, or Freyjudagur (Friday) is
named after a sex symbol, however, which
one cannot be specifically determined. Freyja
was the goddess of love beauty and men were
advised to call upon her for help in affairs
with the heart. Her brother Freyr was the god
of fertility and love. He had powers over rain
and sunshine. He also had a magic sword that
fought by itself. Frigg, or Friggja was the
wife of Odinn. She knew of all things and
was originally a divinity of love and fertility.
So take your choice. Now, Friday is Fostuda-
gtir or a day of fasting.
Saturday was firattdagur or “jjvattdagur”,
which meant a day of washing. This was
changed to Laugardagur, but the meaning
remains basically the same.
Icelandic (phonetic)
Days Sunday Monday Sunnudagur Mdnudagur (Sunoo dag oor) (Mau noo dag oor)
of Tuesday fmdjudagur (Threeth you dag oor)
Wednesday Midvikudagur (Myth vick oo dag oor)
the Thursday Fimmtudagur (Fimm too dag oor)
Friday Fostudagur (Foss too dag oor)
weeK Saturday Laugardagur (Loy gahr dag oor)
January IS, 1993
5