The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.1994, Page 35

SPRING, 1994 THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN 145
Receiving the crown from Gwen Cronshaw, 1992 Fjallkona.
Just what is it like to be a
Fjallkona? Certainly it is one of
those rare happenings in a
person’s lifetime, an exhilarating and
demanding experience that is some-
thing akin to living a dream.
This is not to say I had ever dreamt
of becoming the Fjallkona for Gimli’s
islendingadagurinn, but the actual
reality of taking on the role carries
with it a mystical quality that is
dreamlike in character.
The Fjallkona is invited to assume
the appointment for a year; that is to
say, from the time it is announced in
April or May until the following spring
when a new Fjallkona is named.
The Fjallkona for the year leams of
the appointment well in advance of it
being announced publicly, so there is
a period of respite before any action or
programs take place. During that time
it is difficult to keep the fact a secret.
However, this time allows the Fjall-
kona to prepare herself for the coming
three-day Icelandic Festival of Mani-
toba, held annually at Gimli, as well
as other programs and festivals she is
invited to attend.
Certainly the excitement began in
earnest at a Gala Dinner and Dance
held at the Hotel Fort Garry in
Winnipeg where the Icelandic Festival
of Manitoba president, Art Kilgour,
announced that I would be the 1993
Fjallkona. When the 1992 Fjallkona,
Gwen Cronshaw, placed the crown
and veil on my head, it then became a
reality for me. I felt a part of that
Icelandic community which revels in
tradition staying alive among us, that
common bond that makes us one big
family being maintained. The torch
had been passed on to me in that
relay which perpetuates the Fjallkona
image at islendingadagurinn, a
challenge that brings with it profound
responsibility to carry out duties
peculiar to a most unusual office.
Little did I know how much more was
involved than appearing in the festival
parade and delivering the Fjallkona’s
message on the first Monday in
August. There were to be many