Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.09.2018, Blaðsíða 1

LÖGBERG
HEIMSKRINGLA
The Icelandic Community Newspaper • 15 September 2018 • Number 18 / Númer 18 • 15. september 2018
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40012014 ISSN: 0047-4967
VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.LH-INC.CA
INSIDE
Scholars return to the scenes
of the sagas / page 6
Fornsagnaþingið
Fishing from the pier at
Gimli Harbour / page 11
The perfect
fishing spot
PHOTO: BRYNJARR EYJÓLFSSON
From Niagara Falls to
Kinmount / page 5
Snorri West
in Ontario
PHOTO: PETER NORMAN
Crowds at this year’s ScanFest in Budd
Lake, New Jersey, enjoyed several
first-time programs, including a
presentation on Iceland. The Scandinavian
Festival began in 1984 and while it is
well-attended by many descendants of
Norwegian and Danish immigrants, the
festival organizers work to attract vendors,
speakers, and activities highlighting all
six Nordic nations: Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
September 2, 2018, marked the 34th year
of ScanFest, a daylong celebration of
Scandinavian heritage held each year at
Vasa Park in Budd Lake. The event sees up
to 5,000 visitors each year, who come out
to enjoy the food, performers, vendors, and
special events.
This year’s talks included several
entertaining and educational topics.
Kristina O’Doherty from the American
Swedish Historical Museum presented a
lecture on Scandinavian genealogy and the
Norwegian Immigration Association, Inc.,
presented the film Jakten på Norge 1814-
2014 (The Pursuit of Norway, 1814-2014).
Timothy Boyce discussed the book From
Day to Day, a World War II concentration
camp diary of a Norwegian political
prisoner, Odd Nansen, the son of Fridtjof
Nansen. Odd Nansen is remembered
for his humanitarian efforts on behalf of
Norway’s Jews and as a co-founder of
UNICEF; his father Fridtjof is remembered
for his attempt to reach the North Pole and
his own humanitarian undertakings, which
earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.
I was fortunate to team up with my
mother, Ieda Jónasdóttir Herman, and
present a journey through Iceland in
a presentation called “Iceland: Land
of Fire and Ice.” By blending together
photography and video of Iceland with
Ieda’s memories of growing up in
Reykjavík and Vopnafjörður, the audience
had a glimpse of Iceland from a native’s
perspective. In addition to photography
and travel insights, the program included
information on Icelandic culture, history,
and mythology from each region of the
country. After she married an American
in 1945 and immigrated to the United
States, Ieda became accustomed to a blank
or confused stare when she told people
she was originally from Iceland. Today,
we work together to raise awareness and
understanding of Icelandic culture through
presentations such as this and by writing
books about Iceland. We were pleased
to have an audience of over one hundred
people and the program was well received.
As our presentation was scheduled from
one o’clock until three o’clock, we were
still able to enjoy many of the activities of
the festival.
The musical lineup included singer-
songwriter Ann-Marita Garsed, originally
from Norway, Swedish American vocalist
IVA, classical musician and entertainer
Magnus Martensson, international
tenor Neal Harrelson, Rosetree, a fiddle
and guitar duet who performed folk-
style Scandinavian music, musical
group Spirit of Scandinavia, and The
Swedish Meatballs, known for their “toe-
tapping, foot-stomping, heart-touching
Scandinavian” music.
Special entertainment was provided by
Swedish Wrestlers, and The Sloshbucklers
– a Viking-themed demonstration group
featuring axe and knife throwing. The
Vinland Longships, a Viking reenactment
group with a 22-foot Viking færing (four-
oared boat), gave festival attendees a
glimpse into the life of early Vikings.
The Skógar Þröstur is based on the
færing boat buried with the Gokstad
ship in Norway in the 9th century. Along
with the ship demonstration, Haus Von
Halstern performed battle reenactments,
encampment, and displayed Viking
artifacts, reflecting land-based life in a
Viking settlement.
Craft demonstrations and displays
included Hardanger embroidery, a demon-
stration of Swedish bobbin lacemaking,
Scandinavian-style woodcarving, Swedish
knäckebröd, as well as wheat weaving and
straw art by Jan Doyle. She is a master
weaver and teacher at the University of
Rhode Island and a member of the Nordic
Weaving Network in Jyderup, Denmark.
Early drizzly weather gave way
to clear skies and mild temperatures,
enabling crowds to enjoy traditional
couples’ dance from Sweden, Denmark,
and Norway performed by Skandinöje, a
New Jersey Scandinavian dance group,
the Pillerkaar Estonian Folk Dancers, and
the Skansen Children’s Folk Dance Club.
Children had many entertainment options
that included Clarence the Clown, Lady
Hawke Storytelling, Reindeer Magic and
Miracles, and the Magic of Hans Christian
Andersen.
The ScanFest event is held annually
on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend.
Scandinavian Fest is a not-for-profit event
to celebrate and promote the cultures,
histories, and current life of the Nordic
countries, staffed entirely by volunteers.
Iceland featured at New Jersey Scandinavian Festival
Heidi Herman
Peoria, IL
PHOTOS: HEIDI HERMAN)
Ieda Herman at Scan Fest.
Proud to be from Iceland.
PHOTO: STEFAN JONASSON