The Icelandic Canadian - 01.04.2001, Qupperneq 39

Vol. 56 #2
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
77
follow in later years brought with them their
artifacts, their memories and their culture.
Some of the artifacts have survived, memo-
ries have been handed down, and the culture
lives on. We have heard an example of that
from our New Iceland Youth Choir, of whom
we are so proud. I heard another example just
recently. We were visiting neighbours, and
they brought out some old 78 RPM records,
the sound quality was not what we are used to
in today’s technology, but we were enchanted
by the far-off sounding harmonies of the New
Iceland choir of the 1950s, people from
Riverton, Alborg, Vidir, Geysir and Gimli
getting together to do what Icelandic people
have always done—sing together the old folk
songs.
It took over 125 years for Iceland to for-
mally follow us here with a diplomatic pres-
ence, but relations have come full circle. With
the arrival of Svavar and Gudrun here in the
spring of 1999, and the opening of the
Consulate in Winnipeg, that circle was com-
plete. They have been the finest representa-
tives of their country, and it has been heart-
warming to have them with us. They have laid
the groundwork from which future Icelandic
diplomats in Canada will build, and they have
set a high standard. Tonight we say thank you
to Svavar and Gudrun for their work here,
often above and beyond the call of duty. We
hope they will enjoy the time they have left in
Canada, and we wish them happiness and suc-
cess as they move ahead.
Pickerel • Salmon
Shrimp • Goldeye
Lobster • Crab
Hardfiskur
and more!
We pack for travel
VISA
596 Dufferin Avenue
Winnipeg, MB
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