The White Falcon - 25.06.1993, Qupperneq 4

Iceland celebrates its independence June
years time, Iceland had the
chance to review or annul
the agreement. In 1941,
Iceland's Parliament, the
Althing, decided that Ice-
land had earned the right to
seperate from Denmark
entirely due to the inability
of the Danish king to fulfill
his commitments as head
of state as a result of the
By J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
The city of Reykjavik was a beehive of ac-
tivity Thursday, as hundreds of people gath-
ered to watch a wreath-laying ceremony
across from the Althing, or Parliament build-
ing.
The ceremony officially started Iceland’s
nationwide observance of its 49-year total
independence from Denmark. Speeches by
various government officials, including the
Prime Minister, David Oddsson, who ad-
dressed the people on social and political
issues and a look into the past, commenced
the day’s activities.
The morning concluded with a church
service in the Ddmkirkja (Lutheran Cathe-
dral).
The afternoon activities started with a
The sidewalks became littered with
spectators of all ages, vying for the
best spot from which to watch the
procession. The many flags and
banners, as well as the vibrant col-
ors worn by the local children added
a splash of needed color to the
overcast day. Youngsters, perched
atop their parent’s shoulders, eyed
the festivities with childhood curi-
osity. The parade came to a close
with members of the Antique Car
Club of Iceland driving their his-
toric vehicles through the streets.
The streets, grassy areas and side-
walks became engulfed with spec-
tators and the outdoor theater group
continued its performances around
the downtown area with giants and
shows of all sorts.
parade down Laugarvegur, or the walking
mall. Scouts, in their traditional light blue
attire, a local brass band and townspeople
marched down the narrow avenue, singing.
The day is in remembrance of
Iceland declaring its independence
from Denmark, which had gov-
erned Iceland since 1380.
Iceland and
Denmark agreed
on the independ-
ence of Iceland
in 1918, under
the Danish crown.
In 25
An acrobat performs his high altitude stunt on a pair of stilts
during late-afternoon festivities near the duck pond. The
performer was part of a procession of clowns, fortune tellers
and fire-eaters. (Photo by J02 Colleen Casper)
German occupation of Den-
mark. During the same
year, Iceland signed the De-
fense Agreement with the
United States, yet the U.S.
government objected to Ice-
land severing the final
crown union ties with Den-
mark until the 25 year mark
of the 1918 agreement, was
reached. On June 17,1944,
twenty-five thousand
people celebrated Iceland’s
total independence on a
rainy day at Thingvelir.
This became the start of a
tradition that continues to
this day.
The wreath for Jon Sigurdsson's grave is do-
nated by the people of Reykjavik in remem-4
branee of one of the forefathers of Iceland' i
fight for independence. The wreath laying
cermony starts off the day’s festivities. (Photo
by J03 (SW) Andreas Walter)
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The White Falcon