The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1955, Síða 15

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
13
IN THE EDITOR’S CONFIDENCE
Constructive suggestions often come
through articles and news items sent
to The Icelandic Canadian. One such
item of unusual significance formed
the theme of an article in the last is-
sue under the title “We have a Story
to Tell”, by The Rev. Sveinbjorn
Olafsson.
That story, he very properly points
out, should be told by the Icelanders
themselves. The Icelanders of the
first generation or two occupy a
position of special advantage for writ-
ing that story. Some of them spent
their early youth in Iceland; some
speak English and Icelandic equally
well; a large majority have some
knowledge of Icelandic; all are imbued
with the spirit which made possible
that which has been achieved by the
Icelandic group in these two nations.
They have an understanding of the
background while at the same time
the American and Canadian scene is
to them a living present. These people
should be able to tell that story, which
Sveinbjorn Olafsson envisions, more
realistically 'than others who do not
occupy that position of advantage.
By way of example of what could
and should be done the writer of the
article makes three suggestions: a bio
graphy of Leif Eiriksson; a book on
Iceland, well illustrated, for high
school children in this land;
completion of the translation of the
Passion Hymns, parts of which have
already been beautifully translated by
Bishop C. V. Pilcher.
This is the very time when work of
this type should be done; those who
can look in both directions will soon
be leaving the scene. Rev. Olafsson’s
challenge should not go unheeded.
★
The writer of this note has an
apology to make to the American-
Scandinavian Foundation which he
now tenders. Inadvertently he forgot
to give the Foundation credit for the
excellent article “Sagasteads of Fire
and Ice” by Hedin Bronner, which
was originally published in The Am-
erican-Scandinavian Review and re-
published in the last issue of The Ice-
landic Canadian. The Foundation
not only gave permission to publish
the article but kindly loaned the half-
tone cuts as well.
The occasion may well be used to
remedy another omission which is of
long standing. For many years back,
in fact back to the first year of publi-
cation, this magazine has received
excellent co-operation from the ed-
itors and publishers of both Heims-
kringla and Logberg. News items have
been gathered from the columns of
the two weeklies, back numbers made
available to members of the editorial
staff, cuts readily supplied when avail-
able. Just by way of illustration it may
be pointed out that the Columbia Press
Ltd. supplied no less than sixteen cuts
for the last issue. By way of defence
it might be pointed out that whenever
possible The Icelandic Canadian has
reciprocated. —W. J. L.