Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.07.2015, Side 7

Lögberg-Heimskringla • 1. júlí 2015 • 7
ONLINE MAGAZINE: WWW. HEIMSKRINGLOG.COM
The President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, addressed three different audiences in Toronto on June 12, 2015. I had the pleasure of attending two events, namely a luncheon
at the Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto and then the Icelandic
Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
At the Iceland Canadian Club of Toronto, our ambassador, Sturla
Sigurjónsson, introduced the president. It was the first time since the
’70s that a current president addressed the club. He emphasised the
importance of the link between Iceland and the Western Icelanders,
both historically and culturally. There are books and plays about the
settling of the west by Icelanders. He termed it a “shared identity.”
He also exposed the importance of the Arctic as an area of common
responsibility – not a regional one, but an area of the world where
we need to work together.
He also recounted the remarkable medieval Iceland woman,
Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir, mother of Snorri, the first European child
to be born in North America. She later travelled to Rome to meet the
Pope – a story not as well known as that of Leifur Eiríksson, but one
that is worth relating and no less remarkable.
At the Icelandic Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the president
was pleased at the remarkable achievements in trade of Iceland
globally. He saw business opportunities, especially in the fisheries
and geothermal energy – even exporting energy by cable to Europe
and possibly to North America. He pointed out the importance of
tourism, with cruise ships and many airlines serving the country.
There were two different audiences, but both united in serving
Iceland. The president was, on both occasions, warmly received
with well-deserved applause. He is a truly remarkable orator with
an encouraging message.
After the president’s address, Þórður Hilmarsson, managing
director of Invest in Iceland, gave a short illustrated presentation of
possibilities of investing in Iceland.
David Franklin
Honorary Consul of Iceland in Montreal, QC
Information and applications are available in pdf. form by request from
Lögberg Heimskringla at lh@lh-inc.ca (for application requests only)
The completed applications are forwarded to:
Canada Iceland Foundation Inc., Box 27012, C-360 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4T3
We invite students to apply for the following scholarships which are offered, or administered,
by the Canada Iceland Foundation. Priority may be given to first time applicants.
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MONDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER, 2015
The Heiðmar Björnson Memorial Scholarship
In the amount of $500, will be given annually to the student
obtaining the highest academic standing in Icelandic
Studies in his/her final year at the University of Manitoba.
The award will be made by the Department Head.
The Gunnar Simundsson Memorial Scholarship
One scholarship of $500, to be awarded annually. This
annual scholarship will be awarded to a student in
university or proceeding into a university in Canada or the
United States. The recipient must demonstrate financial
need and high scholastic ability.
The Lorna and Terry Tergesen Scholarship
One scholarship of $500 to be awarded to a student
entering the second or a later year of study of
architecture, fine arts, design or graphic design, music,
dance or voice.
The Walter and Beulah Arason Scholarship
One scholarship of $500 to be awarded annually to a
student of good academic standing entering the University
of Alberta or continuing their education there.
The Judge Walter J. Lindal Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship of $1000 to be awarded in memory of Judge
Walter J. Lindal, to a student demonstrating scholastic
ability and proceeding to or attending university with a
view to studying law or international relations.
The David Franklin, Ad. E. Scholarship
A scholarship of $500 to be awarded to a student who
has demonstrated financial need, academic achievement,
strong leadership and community involvement, who will be
attending a university in Canada or Iceland to study law
or international relations. This scholarship is donated by
David Franklin, Ad. E. to mark his ten years as Honorary
Icelandic Consul in Montreal.
The Benson Sisters Memorial Scholarship
A $500 scholarship in memory of Olga Rowlin, Laufey
Smith and Kristin Arnason, to be awarded to a student
pursuing post-secondary education. Preference may be
given to a student with financial need and/or who has a
mental or physical disability.
The Margaret Breckman Mack Scholarship Award
One scholarship of $500, will be awarded annually to
a student of good scholastic ability who is enrolled in a
Manitoba bachelor of Nursing Program.
Emilia Pálmason Student Aid Award
An award of $500, to be given annually. The recipients
must be of good moral character, college calibre and
primarily in need of help to continue their studies in high
school, college, or at the university level. The donors hope
that “somewhere along the highway of life” the award
winners will try to provide comparable help to another
needy student.
CANADA
ICELAND
FOUNDATION
INC.
PHOTOS: MARC WHITEWAY
THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO TORONTO
a little history, a little business, and a warm reception