Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.06.2010, Qupperneq 3

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Lögberg-Heimskringla • 1. júní 2010 • 3
Day-to-day life continues to be normal in Iceland apart from the directly affected areas in the south, closest to the volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Icelanders have learned to live
in harmony with nature and this includes volcanic eruptions. The
situation has proved to be stressful only for the farmers directly
affected by floods and ash in the vicinity of Eyjafjallajökull. They
are receiving all necessary assistance. All businesses remain
open and the Icelandic society at large functions normally. All
manner of tourist operations are open to business, and apart
from the nearest vicinity of the volcano, all tours are open.
Visitors coming to Iceland are encouraged to monitor the news
and seek information from Icelandic authorities. The Icelandic
Tourist Council has expressed its hope that exaggerated and
sometimes misleading news reports on the eruption and the
impact on daily life in Iceland will not cause unnecessary alarm.
On the eruption itself – essence, development and key response
– visitors to Iceland should rely only on information from the
civilian emergency authorities available in English on www.
almannavarnir.is or www.sst.is. Charts of ash distribution and
weather forecasts in English can be found on the Iceland Met
Office – www.en.vedur.is One famous Icelandic newsman and
pilot, has described the eruption as spectacular, as have the
many who have seen it. He has coined the phrase: “Come visit
Iceland and see the Greatest Show on Earth”.
Courtesy of the Icelandic Embassy of Washington
The eruption continues
Daily life is normal, people are safe and sound
The eruption in Eyjafjal-lajökull doesn’t appear to have impacted the bird
life in Iceland much, according
to Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson, chair-
man of the bird preservation so-
ciety Fuglavernd. Only the ful-
mar was a bit confused to begin
with but quickly found its way.
Hilmarsson said the birds
were quick to discover that there
was enough food underneath the
layer of ash. The ash warmed
up the soil, which encouraged
worms to move closer to the sur-
face, Morgunblaðið reports.
People were concerned that
birds would refrain from nesting
in the areas that have been sub-
ject to the most ash fall. Howev-
er, an oystercatcher laid its eggs
in a pile of ash in Fagridalur val-
ley outside Vík – the bird usu-
ally chooses gravel or sand for
nesting anyway.
Other birds might try to find
new ash-free areas for nesting or
decide not to lay eggs this sum-
mer. But as long as the eruption
doesn’t continue forever, it won’t
have a severe impact on the bird-
life in south Iceland, Hilmarsson
concluded.
Reprinted with permission
from IcelandReview.com
Birds in Iceland undisturbed by volcanic ash
The Gimli Film Festival will celebrate their tenth annual film festival with
a Launch Party in Winnipeg
on June 10 at the WAG Roof-
top Sculpture Garden. The
Party celebrates the talents of
filmmaking in Manitoba and
ten years of bringing the very
best of independent film to
the shores of Lake Winnipeg.
Watch a Rooftop Screening of
previews of the festival pro-
gram, mix with filmmakers
and friends and enjoy the fun.
The Gimli Film Festival is
known internationally for its
outdoor beach screenings with
an 11 metre screen set in the
water. The festival has always
been a champion of Manitoba
filmmakers through the years
and supports their creative
work by bringing their films to
an appreciative audience each
summer.
“We believe passionately in
the talent and creativity of our
Canadian filmmakers, so well
shown on the Manitoba scene.
We also present a Circumpo-
lar program to showcase our
northern locale and Icelandic
heritage,” said Janis Johnson
chair of the Gimli Film Festi-
val. “Our goal is to continue to
grow the Gimli Film Festival
into the most cutting edge indie
film festival in the country.”
Executive Director, Kris-
tine Sigurdson adds, “2010
will once again bring the au-
dience together with art and a
thought provoking and excit-
ing selection of films will be
sure to move everyone in some
perceptible way.”
We extend an invitation to
join us in this celebration on
June 10. Advance tickets are
available at On Screen Mani-
toba and Gimli Box Office or
by phone at (204) 642-8846
for only $20.
The Gimli Film Festival
celebrates 10 years Kvennahlaup, Icelandic Women’s Walk, has been held annually in Iceland since 1990. In recent years the event has also
been held in Icelandic communities in North
America. Women of Icelandic descent are en-
couraged to gather and walk for exercise and
companionship.
In Manitoba, Icelandic women of all ages, can
participate in the walk in either of two locations,
Winnipeg or Gimli. This year the walks will be
held on June 19th, 2010, the same day as the walks
are held in Iceland. The walks commence at 10:00
a.m. Participants are encouraged to arrive at 9:30
a.m. in order to sign in and pick up their t-shirt
prior to the walk.
Registration is $25.00. Participants receive t-
shirts and medals which are ordered from Iceland
and are the same as those distributed at Iceland’s
Kvennahlaup.
The Winnipeg walk is sponsored by the Icelan-
dic Canadian Frón and is held at the Assiniboine
Park. Gunnvör Danielsdóttir, Secretary to the Con-
sulate General of Iceland, takes a lead role in orga-
nizing this walk.
In Gimli, the walk commences at the Pioneer
Memorial Cairn in the Gimli Park. The Gimli walk
is organized by Margaret Kernested, Board Mem-
ber of Lögberg-Heimskringla, and Secretary of the
Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society, and by Marga-
ret’s sister, Marlene Forbes.
Refreshments are provided following the walk
and though the walk is not organized as a fund-
raiser, excess proceeds are donated to charity.
Proceeds from the Gimli walk are donated to the
Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society and those from
the Winnipeg walk will be donated to CancerCare
in memory of Gunnar Valdimarsson.
All females of Icelandic descent, and those
with Icelandic connections, are encouraged to
come out and join in the fun. Both Winnipeg and
Gimli provide a short loop, approximately 3 km,
and a longer loop, approximately 5 km. We have
had participants in strollers to wheelchairs. All are
welcome.
We are asking people to register by June 1st,
2010 to allow sufficient time to obtain the t-shirts
from Iceland.
To register for the walk, please contact:
Winnipeg Kvennahlaup: Gunnvör at 284-1535
or email gunnvor@mfa.is or Ainsley at 896-6706
or email vbloomer@shaw.ca
Gimli Kvennahlaup: Margaret at (204) 642-
9945 or email mkernested@lakenet.ca or Marlene
at 895-8328 (Wpg) or email marl4bes@mts.net
Come out for Kvennahlaup
An oystercatcher
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