Article appeared in the Aug 4, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
Gimli’s annual Icelandic Festival, Islendingadagurinn, celebrated its 122nd season from Jul. 29 to Aug.1. After all this time, the festival spirit is as powerful as ever. Nowhere was this more evident than during the Traditional program which was held at the Gimli Park stage on Aug. 1.
Master of Ceremonies, Kathi Thorarinson Neal, Islendingadagurinn President, spoke about the history of the festival as providing a meeting place that connects young and old while celebrating Icelandic culture. She introduced the many distinguished guests: Premier Greg M. P. Portage Interlake, James Bezan, Winnipeg Councillor, Grant Nordman, Gimli Mayor, Lynn Greenberg, and Gimli MLA, Peter Bjornson. Each brought greetings. Dignitaries from both Manitoba and Iceland made speeches.
Hundreds of people, many from Iceland, or of Icelandic descent, gathered under the large tents to take in the nearly two-hour program, which included musical performances by Drifandi, an all-male Icelandic choir who performed in both English and Icelandic, and by the talented Ari Jakobson. The Drifandi choir opened with the national anthems of both countries, and closed with “God Save the Queen” and “Eld Gamla Isafold”.
Tammy Axelsson, Executive director of the New Iceland Heritage Museum, gave the toast to Iceland, following Iceland’s Minister of Finance, Steingrimur J. Sigfusson’s impassioned speech. During his toast to Canada Sigfusson talked about the difficult conditions in Iceland that brought the Icelandic settlers to Manitoba in the late 1800s, and his positive view of Canada, as a “nation of human compassion and a strong moral fibre—a flag bearer of human rights in today’s world”. He noted the deep bond that modern day Icelanders still feel with their kin in the new world, and the pride they feel when one of their descendents succeeds.
Sigfusson went on to speak about the cooperation between the Canadian and Icelandic governments, and on working together on responsibly utilizing natural resources in the north, “in a sensitive environment”, and the establishment of trade routes in the decade to come.
“Long live our relationship. May our bonds never be broken,” he said.
Fjallkona, Gudrun Viola Bjarnason Hilton, who represents the Mother of Iceland, was the bright star on the stage, regally dressed in her traditional attire. She gave an inspiring speech, directed mainly at the younger generation of Icelanders. She encouraged them to get involved in the many and varied Icelandic clubs and associations, and to study and celebrate their Icelandic heritage.
“As mother of Iceland I today a appealing to the youth, our future…The torch is brightly burning. Reach for it and carry it forward.”
Premier Selinger captured the spirit of the Fjallkona when he said, during his greetings from Manitoba,
“You’re a true representative of the community, and you have the best interests of the community at heart.”
