Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.10.2018, Page 10

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10 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • October 15 2018
Rev. Halldór E. Johnson (1884-1950)
Snorri Sturlusson is undoubtedly the greatest
figure in Icelandic literature. He, however, is
not the father of Icelandic prose; that honor
belongs to Ari the Wise, who wrote the history of
Iceland for the two first centuries of its national
existence. Nearly a hundred years later, Snorri
wrote his monumental works on Norse mythology
and the history of the Norwegian kings.
The Icelanders are naturally proud of their
ancient Saga literature for without it the antiquity
of all Northern nations would be shrouded in
impenetrable darkness. To quote Vilhjalmur
Stefansson, the famous author and explorer:
“Some of the sagas, like the Heimskringla, are an
indispensable source of material for the history
of the Scandinavian countries, Ireland, Great
Britain and the smaller surrounding islands;
they also have a bearing, some of them, on the
Baltic States, including Russia. They have some
value now and then for the history of the more
southerly countries. ... One of the great services of
the Icelandic sagas was to preserve the religious
history and other knowledge of foreign lands
when the memory of these things had died out
and records had disappeared in the countries of
their origin. ... Surely three-fourths of all we know
about the immediate pre-Christian religion of the
so-called Germanic, Teutonic or Nordic people
would disappear, if the literature of Iceland could
be wiped out.”
The Sagas are not merely a great source of
knowledge about our ancient folkways, but they
have also furnished the inspiration for some of
the very best literature and music of later days.
Wagner himself had to go to Icelandic source
material for his Nibelung cycle. Ibsen says that
he acquired his style from the Sagas. Longfellow,
one of America’s greatest writers, was a profound
student, as well as a great admirer of Old Icelandic
literature.
Now what share did Snorri Sturluson have in
this literature?
Before an attempt is made to answer this
question, something should be said of him as a
citizen and as a man. He was a scion of one of the
leading families of Iceland, possessing hereditary
prestige and political power, and flourished in
the most turbulent period of the island’s history.
Pure. Natural. Unspoiled.
This is Iceland.
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Tribute Dinner in Honour of
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We are looking to leaders in our community to help sponsor this event so that
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Óðinn Sponsor: at the $2,500 level will receive 16 tickets or 2 tables.
The table will be identified with the Sponsor’s name, a special mention of the
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video presentation. A charitable receipt for a portion of the sponsorship
amount will be issued.
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will be identified with the Sponsor’s name, a special mention of the Þór Sponsor
in the ljósanótt program. Identification will be displayed in a video presentation.
A charitable receipt for a portion of the sponsorship amount will be issued.
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identified with the Sponsor’s name, a special mention of the Freyr Sponsor in
the ljósanótt program. Identification will be displayed in a video presentation.
A charitable receipt for a portion of the sponsorship amount will be issued.
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identified with the Sponsor’s name, a special mention of the Baldur Sponsor in
the ljósanótt program. Identification will be displayed in a video presentation.
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Iðunn Sponsor: at the $250 level will receive 2 tickets. The table will be
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Financial Advisor
SNORRI STURLUSON
PHOTOS: STEFAN JONASSON
Snorri’s Pool at Reyholt.
Statue of Snorri Sturluson
at Reykholt.
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