Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.07.2016, Page 27

Eliza Reid—once a Grapevine food
reviewer—has been working as a jour-
nalist and writer in Iceland for over a
decade, and is now Iceland’s new First
Lady. The Grapevine touched based
with Eliza to see what the future holds
for her and the country.
I imagine the Canadian press
has been all over this. Is it
overwhelming getting all this
media attention, from two
countries?
It’s not overwhelming, but it’s certain-
ly a change! We actually have someone
booking all the interviews for us now. I
just feel so fortunate to be in this posi-
tion, so it’s no problem.
What are you most looking
forward to as a part of the
presidency? What do you
believe will be the most
challenging?
I’m looking forward to having the op-
portunity to meet people from around
Iceland, and to help promote Iceland
and its culture to the rest of the world.
I probably cannot even imagine what
the most challenging dimension will
be, but I guess having to pick and
choose between events and balanc-
ing that with family life, especially in
making sure our kids make the tran-
sition to their new home and school
smoothly.
How do you view your role in
this new position?
My sense at this early stage is that I can
shape it as I wish. Of course I will be by
Guðni’s side during official and cere-
monial functions, but I also hope to be
able to actively participate and assist
in ways where I can be of benefit, per-
haps giving speeches, meeting people
and helping with various causes.
As an immigrant to Iceland
who is now moving into this
influential position, what kind
of relationship do you hope
to have with the immigrant
community? Do you believe
there are expectations placed
upon you in this role?
I think that the fact that Guðni has
been elected with a foreign-born wife
helps to show that Iceland is gener-
ally a very tolerant and open-minded
country. I have not experienced any
negative sentiment from the fact that
I am foreign-born and -raised and that
my Icelandic, while good, is not per-
fect. As the President and First Lady,
we will be representing all Icelanders,
including of course foreign-born Ice-
landers.
Are there particular causes or
projects you hope to be able to
emphasise and move forward?
With my own work co-founding the
annual Iceland Writers Retreat, my
interest in Iceland’s rich literary and
cultural heritage has grown, and I can
see how I might be able to help promote
this heritage abroad. I can also relate
to some of the challenges facing new
immigrants to Iceland. But I have an
open mind about things and there are
no doubt innumerable causes and proj-
ects that I hope to be able to help with.
It is an immense privilege that the
people of Iceland have elected Guðni
to serve the country in this way, and it
will be an honour to help him to do so
to the best of his ability.
Eliza
Reid
ICELAND’S
CANADIAN
FIRST LADY