65° - 01.09.1967, Blaðsíða 4

October 1967
Dear Readers
This is to introduce 65°, a new quarterly maga-
zine, to the attention of Icelanders at home and
abroad. 65° represents the latitude of the heart
of Iceland on the world map, and as a name,
defines the focus of this magazine.
Our magazine is geared to enthusiastic and con-
cerned Icelanders, to the young adults who are
“old in mind” as well as the older adults who are
“young in thought”, to the inexperienced of both
sexes who are eager to “save the world” as well
as to the experienced who know that even “chan-
ging anything” is no easy matter. Our magazine
is aimed at those who care about the future, yet
want to profit from the past. In its purpose of
identifying and crystallizing the social patterns
and social thought of present day Icelandic society
and the trends affecting these patterns and
thought, our magazine represents a search for
equilibrium.
65° is designed as a medium of communication
for those who have something interesting, re-
levant and constructive to say about the years of
change in which we are living. It wishes to bridge
the gap between old and new, and to do so
through the exchange of ideas in the form of
articles, short stories and humour.
Because there are large numbers of foreign
born Icelandic citizens, foreign residents and
western Icelanders who would like to participate
more fully in the life of modern Iceland but can-
not, since they must rely solely on publications
in Icelandic, this magazine, printed in English,
gives them the opportunity they have never had
to make a contribution to Icelandic life. Because
Icelanders take justifiable pride in their educa-
tional spirit, have an aptness for languages, and
are aware of the importance of the English
language in dealings with other nations, 65° gives
them an opportunity to write and read the
language they have learned, and through com-
munication, to increase the understanding neces-
sary to a harmonious society.
The editor wishes to express thanks for the
many warm and encouraging responses to the
birth, on June 17, 1967, of the magazine 65°,
and the unsolicited efforts of some of those
individuals toward assuring 65° a healthy and
interesting life following her debut in October,
1967.
Original contributions are hereby requested
from writers. Articles on any subject of general
appeal are welcome provided they are interesting,
timely and constructive. Please send the subject
of your article first (if you have not already
written it) in case we have a similar article on
hand. Short stories and plays must be enter-
taining or have something to say. Humor, car-
toons and anecdotes also requested. Good pay-
ment on acceptance. Response within two weeks.
All submissions must be accompanied by a stamp-
ed, self-addressed envelope and sent to Postholf
265, Kopavogur, or Laugaveg 59, Reykjavik.
Editorial
HOW DO YOU LIKE ICELAND?
This is the question most asked by Icelanders of
visitors and foreign-bom residents alike, and it
is almost impossible to answer without long con-
sideration. A better question might be, “What are
your impressions of Iceland?” if a genuine answer
is expected.
Such a question asked of a visitor is easier to
answer, though the answer might be disappoint-
ing, because the visitor comes to Iceland for a
purpose. If he comes for sports, he or she is
probably an outdoors person and will respond to
the call-of-the-wild appeal of the Icelandic coun-
tryside. If he is an artist, there is much to delight
the eye. If he is a birdwatcher, there are birds
galore. But if he is an entertainer, his answer may
depend mostly on how his show is received. If
he is used to tropical life, he’ll be too shivery to
care whether the snow lies on Esja like a white
mantilla. If he is a seeker of quaint places, he
may be disappointed at the very modernity of
which today’s Icelanders are so proud.
But this question asked of residents, even an
eighteen year citizen as I am, is much more dif-
ficult to answer.
What it means is “How are you adjusting to
Iceland?” and would be somewhat easier to
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