Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.01.2019, Síða 1

LÖGBERG
HEIMSKRINGLA
The Icelandic Community Newspaper • 15 January 2019 • Number 02 / Númer 02 • 15. janúar 2019
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40012014 ISSN: 0047-4967
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INSIDE
Few noticed Iceland’s
sovereignty at the time /
pages 5-6
Delayed
attention
PHOTO: WILLEM VAN DE POLL, 1934
What they tell us about our
ancestors / page 11
Diverse talents
PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
Jon Sigurdsson Chapter IODE
recognizes 12 young scholars
/ pages 14-15
Those old Bibles
mbl.is – “Our history of sovereignty is one of progress,”
said Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir in her New Year’s Eve
address on RÚV, the Icelandic state broadcaster. “Everything has
changed so much that sometimes it seems as if the 19th century
never happened. However, Icelandic society has never revolved
solely around economic welfare, but rather general welfare and
equality. Iceland now stands at the top of various lists measuring
economic prosperity and welfare. Our society has changed. Where
our countrymen come from is now more diverse than in 1918, and
they have different histories and backgrounds. There is no doubt
that sovereignty was a source of energy to achieve these results.”
The prime minister referred to the difficulties that Icelanders
grappled with at the end of the 19th century. Then, natural
catastrophes drove many to abandon Iceland and emigrate to
Canada and the United States. These migrations are reminders
of how difficult it was to live in Iceland at that time. “Vestur-
Íslendingar built a new community west of the sea and here we
built the community we now have together in Iceland.” Reflecting
on her experience of visiting the Thingvalla Cemetery in North
Dakota, she said, “The gravestones remind us that each one of us
has a short time here on this earth, but together we form a culture
and a community that has a far greater impact than each of us can
have alone.”
In her address, Katrín discussed the results that Iceland had
since achieved, as well as the challenges lying ahead. For example,
she spoke of the importance of safeguarding nature in parallel with
the rapid growth in tourism. She also spoke of the importance of
ensuring that the economy rested on diverse foundations. She said
that the turbulence in the airline operations was a reminder of this.
“The great burden of this new export industry on infrastructure
and nature also remind us that the rapid build-up of tourism is a
project requiring care and respect for nature and society,” she warned.
“People come here to see unique nature. Part of the sustainability of
tourism is to protect this nature, in addition to the duty we have to
protect nature and its wide expanses for future generations.”
Climate change was also on the prime minister’s mind and the
importance of responding to it. She ended her speech by recalling
her meeting with the Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege. He
devoted his life to helping raped women and those losing their
limbs during strife in the Congo, for which he received the Nobel
Peace Prize. “It is such people, people concerning themselves
with the humanity and interests of others, who are most precious,
not only in each society but also in the entire world. Not all of
us will be Nobel Prize recipients, but we have the good fortune
of living in one of the most peaceful countries in the world. We
can all contribute, remember each other, minister to each other,
and do our part not only to make society better but also the world
more beautiful.”
Reprinted with permission from Icelandic News Briefs,
published by KOM PR, with additional content.
“WE CAN ALL CONTRIBUTE,” SAYS ICELAND’S PRIME MINISTER
In December, following Christmas, the
jólasveinar returned one by one to the
mountains where they will prepare for
next year’s visit. However, these same
yule lads have decided to break tradition
to make a special appearance this spring
at the Icelandic National League of
North America’s annual convention in
Winnipeg. These mischievous lads do not
want to miss a celebration, especially this
year when the INLNA turns 100 years
old. The host for the 2019 convention
is the Icelandic Canadian Frón, which
is also turning 100. The members of the
Icelandic Canadian Frón invite you to
join them between May 16 and 19, 2019,
at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg.
The 100th anniversary convention will
“honour the past, celebrate the present,
build for the future.” Registration forms
will be available online on the INLNA
website in mid-January. There are early
bird registration fees for those looking
for a saving. The Fairmont Hotel, which
is the convention hotel, has conference
rates for guests identifying as staying
with the INLNA convention of just $119
Canadian per night. The Fairmont Hotel
is an ideal location from which to walk
to The Forks, downtown, The Exchange
District, along the Red River and even
into Old St. Boniface. In upcoming
issues of Lögberg-Heimskringla watch
for articles about the program, the guest
speakers, Winnipeg highlights, and the
Icelandic city tour. We hope to see you
there!
Look who’s coming to the INLNA convention – are you?
Karen Botting
Winnipeg, MB
PHOTO: KOREY LOWDON / PIXABAY
Winnipeg skyline at night
PHOTO: STJORNARRADID.IS
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir on RÚV