The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1963, Side 13

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
11
interested in one another’s folk art and one another’s folk traditions. And what
is particularly encouraging is the fact that here is an interest which is inclusive
and not exclusive. Here we have the reverse of “separatism”—an appreciation of
the worth of other cultures: cultures not in competition with one another, but
complementary to one another. This is our multicultural society, taking pride in
the contributions made by all of its component ethnic groups.
Perhaps, as a multicultural nation, we may be uniquely fitted to play our
part in the community of nations which make up our multicultural world.
Gustaf Kristjanson
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Much appreciated letter recieved
Dear Fellow Viking:
A professor, friend of many years, objected to my salutation: “Fellow
Viking.” He insisted: “I’m British, not Scandinavian.” I reminded him it was
parallel to the old folk saying “Scratch a Russian and you’ll find a Tartar.”
To be sure of my facts, I checked his name into my Norwegian diction-
ary. It WAS Anglicized. Its current pronunciation, however, was exactly the
same as Norwegian back in the days of King Harold Bluetooth.
All this reminds one that Scandinavians, also British, (likewise Amer-
icans with British name), furthermore Hollanders, North Germans,—all are
Nordicss. All are Viking.
Writer once checked several thousand names of a list of scientists that
had given the world American Know How. Some 2 percent were Near East, per-
haps 4 percent were non-Nordic European, or “Latin-American” or Oriental.
The remaining 94 percent were Nordic.
We Nordics have our faults. We have our deficiencies. Writer dares
ask, however, “Is not most of today’s research the result of the devoted labors of
those whose Viking ancestors wanted to know about what was Beyond?”
Very earnestly,
C. M. Goethe
by C. M. Goethe of 3731 Tea Street,
Sacramento 16, California
The above is a letter sent, to the editor of this magazine. Not only has Mr.
Goethe been a subscriber for many years but for over ten years he has paid the
subscription for ten American and Canadian universities. Such loyal support dem-
onstrates how far the Nordic spirit of the Viking peoples extends. On behalf of
ot the Magazine Board, and, one may safely add, on behalf of all the readers of
me magazine, sincere appreciation is extended to Mr. Goethe. —Ed.