Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.08.2014, Qupperneq 8

Lögberg-Heimskringla • 15 ágúst 2014 • 15
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14 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • August 15 2014
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MINI TOUR Borgarförður: Nature and history
In my view, one of the most beautiful
areas in Iceland is Borgarfjörður in the
western part of Iceland. It is important
to specify which Borgarfjörður I’m
referring to as there is another fjord in
the eastern part of the country, known as
Borgarfjörður eystri. Although the area is
named after the fjord, I would personally
call it a group of valleys and rivers and it
is one of the most fertile and important
agricultural areas in Iceland. The
Borgarfjörður delta, where most of the
rivers come together to meet the ocean,
is a tranquil and amazing place that is
guaranteed to give you a sense of awe.
Futhermore, Borgarfjörður is the
home of many amazing vistas. I have
previously written about the Hraunfossar
waterfalls and Barnafoss, and there is
more. Húsafell is a beautiful place and
one of the most popular summer house
sites in the entire country. It is also an
area of great historical importance.
Egill Skallagrímsson was raised on the
farm Borg, which gives name to the
area, and Snorri Sturluson was killed in
Reykholt, today a small village and home
to a secondary boarding school and a
beautiful countryside church.
Among the many rivers in
Borgarfjörður are Hvítá (the river
depicted in the photo) and one of its
contributors, Norðurá; the latter is one
of Iceland's most popular and expensive
salmon fishing rivers.
There is something special about this
area which always makes me long to take
the hour-long drive to Borgarfjörður and
I do recommend a visit there. There is no
place better to take in the amazing nature
and history of Iceland.
G. Sverrir Þór
Märsta, Sweden
I just finished reading Vikings on a Prairie Ocean written by Glenn Sigurdson. It is a
powerful and profound book
that I just want to pick up and
start reading again from page
one. I will do that but first I
feel compelled to share how
the reading of these complex
and yet interwoven layers of the
simple and complicated stories
of family, heritage, business,
and relationships combined
with the essences of the past,
present and future has affected
me. I predict that everyone who
reads this book will find bonds
between themselves and the
lives of those who have come
together within these pages.
In the first chapter Glenn
draws the reader into his
chronicle by explaining
how he came to write his
life story during the many
plane trips made as he plied
his way between difficult
conversations. He also gives
the first introduction into the
process of how he moves
from “a recovered lawyer” to
someone “who helps people
have difficult conversations”.
Chapter Two begins the saga
layer of Glenn himself with
the delightful and exciting
adventure of “going north”.
The boundless energy of this
little kid brings back the free-
spirited childhood that children
used to have during a time
when parents knew that their
children would be safe because
every adult in the community
was on the watch. Glenn’s
reminiscences of his childhood
and hometown draw the reader
back to that period of growing
up with the daily adventures of
any child who remembers the
freedom that is no more for the
young.
History books could
learn valuable lessons in
how to engage children in
their immediate history in
the way that Glenn portrays
the parallel stories of his
maternal and paternal great
great-grandparents and their
descendants. He begins by
setting the scene in Iceland
that would precipitate the
immigration to Nýja Ísland
(New Iceland) detailing the
devastation following the
eruption of the volcanoes.
This is a book that should
rightly be in the library of every
Icelander, not because it is well
written, which it is, but because
Glenn details so clearly the ex-
tensive understanding between
the Icelandic im-migrant, and
the Aboriginal or First Nation
peoples. It is this understanding
that varies through the
generations making it not only
possible but imperative that
Glenn naturally be the one
who becomes the negotiator, or
peacemaker, if you will, as laid
out in his book.
REVIEW
Vikings on a Prairie Ocean
The Saga of a Lake, a People,
a Family and a Man
by Glenn Sigurdson
Great Plains Publications
ISBN 978-1-926531-93-9 (pbk)
Reviewed by
Elva Jónasson
Winnipeg, MB
Borgarfjörður, valleys, rivers, tranquil and amazing
CREDIT: G SVERRIR ÞÓR
PHOTO: W.D. VALGARDSON
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PHOTO: SHIRLEY J OLGEIRSON
The three staffers at the Genealogy Center in Mountain during The Deuce of August were
kept busy all weekend. The room was also host to an art show featuring the works of Emile
Walter, a North Dakotan whose 1950s-era paintings depict the scenery of Iceland.
As Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, it has been my pleasure to experience the excitement of many of the celebrations that keep Manitobans busy and smiling
throughout the summer.
It’s always a delight to see generations come together to share
in creativity, sports, and community spirit.
But this festival stands out in special ways.
As one of the oldest festivals in all of North America, the
Icelandic Festival of Manitoba connects us directly with the
pioneers who founded the communities of New Iceland.
As a celebration of Icelandic traditions and culture, it fosters
our continuing friendship with the North Atlantic nation that has
a thousand-year history in Canada.
Over the last few days, some 50,000 festival-goers have
visited a Viking village, built sandcastles, tossed Frisbees and
shotputs, listened to new music from Canada and Iceland,
sampled Icelandic culture and treats, and enjoyed the sights and
sounds of Lake Winnipeg.
Some aspects of this festival go back 125 years to its founding.
Others are continually evolving today.
That combination of 125 years of continuity and creativity is
something to cherish and to celebrate.
To all the volunteers, sponsors, supporters and workers who
make this festival possible, I offer thanks and congratulations on
another successful Icelandic Festival of Manitoba. Thank you.
A delight to see generations
come together
The Honourable Philip Lee, C.M., O.M.,
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
Robert T. Kristjanson
125 5th Avenue
Gimli, MB R0C 1B0
Fax: 204-642-7306
Phone: 204-642-5283
Vikings on a Prairie Ocean
Visitors watched from the beach as the fireworks went
off at Íslendingadagurinn Saturday night
The viking encampment at Íslendingadagurinn
A winner at Íslendingadunk
The Icelandic horse demonstration A viking ready for battle
More festival coverage in the September 1st issue
PHOTO: LEIF NORMAN / LEIFNORMAN.NET
PHOTOS: LEIF NORMAN / LEIFNORMAN.NET