The Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia
N E W S L E T T E R February 2014 XLVI:ii
The Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia cordially invites you to þorrablót Saturday, March 1, 2014 Time: Cocktail Hour 6 p.m.; Dinner 7 p.m.; Dancing 9 p.m. Scandinavian Centre, 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, BC, 604-294-2777
Forréttir (Appetizers) Waiters will circulated with appetizers during the Cocktail Hour, 6-7 pm Reyktur lax með sinnepssósu á rúgbrauði; Lifrarkæfa ófan á kex; Flatkökur með marineraði síld; Tartalettur með aspas, osti og skinku; Rúlllapylsa á rugbrauði Sampling Table with: lifrapylsa, blóðmör, rúllupylsa, hákarl, harðfisk, sviðasulta, hrútspungar
Buffet Multigrain Rolls & Butter; Mixed Greens with Strawberries, Basil and Pear; Balsamic – Maple Dressing; Kale, Arugula, Beets, Goat Cheese and Candied Pecans; Italian Dressing
AAA Roast Beef Carved at the Table, Beef Jus and Spicy Horseradish; Hangikjöt (Smoked Lamb); Pan Roasted Chicken Breast; Choice of Sauce: BBQ, Lemon Garlic, or Mediterranean; Beef, Cheese or Mushroom Ravioli; Marinara or Alfredo Cream Sauce; Herbed Baby Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes or Jasmine Rice; Grilled Seasonal Vegetables
Dessert: Vínarterta, Pönnukökur, Kleinur Beverage: Coffee, Tea
After dinner Entertainment Dancing to a 6 piece band, Pizzazz
50/50 Draw
Dress: Semi-Formal
Cost: $4000 Students: $2500
Tickets: Leif Erickson 604-581-9767; Nina Jobin 604-277-0143. Reserve by Wednesday morning, February 26. No ticket sales at the door.
Encourage your young adults to come. Good food and a real live band!
All tables will be reserved. We will arrange for those who wish to sit together at the same table, or at adjoining tables, to be able to do so. Also, anyone who is coming alone, or in a small group, will be seated with compatible company. When tickets are booked, you will be asked how many people are in your party and who you might like to be seated with, or near.
1 SPORTS ScanSport meeting, February 6 (Thu), 7 pm
The ScanSport Committee is looking for members Team Sports and Individualized Sports will take to help organize sports and activities based out place at the Scandinavian Centre or any place or of the Scandinavian Centre. A sports background is location convenient for the sport. not required as we have many roles to fill. If you're interested in joining, please contact: If you are not a participant in the Scandinavian Karina Ramsay, [email protected] Centre, how about participating in the Sports that or simply show up to the meetings on the first will be organized? It is great for you at any age, Thursday of each month. great for the 20 plus and for the youngsters. You don’t have to commit yourself to anything but the sport.
You can contact Karin to let her know you would be interested in simply participating, or you can be one of the organizers.
SPORT is amazing—it keeps you in good shape and you meet like-minded people. Sun Run
95th Icelandic National League of North America Convention, May 15 -18, 2014, Winnipeg, MB
Agenda and other information will all arrive first on There are 100 rooms being held for the event with a www.inlofna.org. daily rate of $120 which includes vouchers for 2 Hotel Venue - INL Convention 2014 breakfast meals. The group rate number is (238367) Convention reservations will be the to reserve into this offer. There is also a plan in Canad-Inns - Polo Park in Winnipeg. place for overflow beyond the 100, room rate at Their website is www.canadinns.com, with the $129. central reservation line as 1-888-33-22623 (CANAD) Icelandic National League of North America and the local reservation number is 204-269-9090. #103 - 94 1st Avenue, Gimli, MB R0C 1B1 The general office phone number is 204-775-8791. Phone: 204-642-5897, Fax: 204-642-9382
Your financial support is so important to the club. We do need funds to simply operate the club and take care of upkeep to the Iceland Room and the Scandinavian Centre. Your membership helps.
Icelandic Canadian Club of BC MEMBERSHIPS are now due, January 1—December 31, 2014. Please list all Members: NAMES ADDRESS including Postal Code HOME PHONE and your CELL phone (optional) EMAIL address is important for notification of unexpected events.
State whether you prefer to receive your newsletter by EMAIL or REGULAR MAIL. And would you volunteer occasionally? At Special Events, Baking, Sports, etc.?
One year membership is a flat $2500: Single, Senior, or Family (family consists of those living at home).
Make your cheque payable to ICCBC - and mail to: Icelandic Canadian Club of BC 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, BC V5B 4P9
2 February 2014 To Our Seniors (55+) You are cordially invited to attend a Valentine’s Day Luncheon
Scandinavian Community Centre 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, 604-294-2777
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH 12 NOON
$8.00 *only $3.00 if you bring food to share* (a plate of sandwiches or desserts)
If you haven’t seen our new ‘Iceland Room’, please join us for lunch and we’ll have a visit there. If you need a ride, call Norma at 604-988-4147
We welcome Ambassador Þórður Ægir Óskarsson, Ambassador from Iceland to Canada, to the Icelandic Canadian Club of BC Þórrablót on March 1st.
Ambassador Óskarsson arrived in Ottawa at the beginning of February 2013. After an early career including journalism, working with NATO and in the Foreign Ministry, he was promoted to Ambassador in 1999, and became Permanent Representative of Iceland to the OSCE, UNOV, IAEA and CTBTO. Since then, he has filled the Ambassador post in Austria, while also being accredited as Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary and Slovakia, and in Japan, as well as being Special Representative to the Palestinian Authority and most recently Director for Defence and Security Affairs in the Foreign Ministry. He is married to Sigurbörg Oddsdóttir and has two daughters.
Icelandic Language Classes Begin Thursday, February 27 to April 17, 2014 7-9 p.m. for 8 weeks
at the Scandinavian Community Centre Icelandic Room, 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, BC
Teachers will be: Gunnar Hansson and Edda Langworth
People interested in taking the classes should email Gunnar Hansson ([email protected]) and include some information on whether they already have some knowledge of Icelandic or whether they think they'd be best off in the Beginners' group. Information will go on the Scandinavian Cultural Centre website as well.
The cost will be $50 per 8 week session.
3 February 2014 Thor, was considered to be a son of Óðinn, but among many tribes Thor actually supplanted Óðinn as the favorite god. He is considered to be the protector of all Miðgarð, and he wields the mighty hammer Mjöllnir. Thor is strength personified. His battle chariot is drawn by two goats, and his hammer Mjöllnir causes the lightning that flashes across the sky and the rolling thunder was the rumble of his fiery chariot. Of all the deities, Thor is the most “barbarian” of the lot; rugged, powerful, and lives by his own rules, although he is faithful to the rest of the
Æsir. Thor is married to Sif, a fertility goddess, with whom he had a daughter, Þrúður. He also had a mistress, the giantess Járnsaxa with whom he had two sons, Magni and Moði. Thor is helped by Þjálfi, his servant and the messenger of the gods.
Thor was a good-natured, careless god, always ready for adventure, and never tired of trying his great strength. He could shoulder giant tasks with the greatest ease and slay bulls with his bare hands. For sport he sometimes rode among the cloud-veiled mountains, hurling his hammer at their peaks and cleaving them in twain.
The Norse believed that during a thunderstorm, Thor rode through the heavens on his chariot pulled by the goats Tanngríhisnir (“gap-tooth”) and Tanngnóstir (“tooth grinder”). Lightning flashed whenever he threw his hammer Mjollnir. Thor wears the belt Megingjarður which doubles his already considerable strength. His hall is Bilskirnir, which is located in the region Þrúðheimur (“place of might”). His greatest enemy is Jörmungandur, the Miðgarð Serpent. At the day of Ragnarök, Thor will kill this serpent but will die from its poison. His sons will inherit his hammer after his death.
From the Front to the West Coast: The youth. Even though the topic is war, Recollections of the Finnish War Veterans humour has not been forgotten. This is a documentary directed and produced in in Vancouver British Columbia about Finnish World This is a documentary about the Finnish Second War II veterans.
World War Veterans, who, for some at a very young Sunday, March 9, 2014, 2 pm age, first fought the Russians and then the Germans. Blueshore Performing Arts Yet, after the war, they left the country they so Capilano University, fiercely defended to start a new life in Canada. The 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver veterans tell their stories, as they remember them, Tickets $10, Capilano University Box over six decades later. The captivating stories Office, 604-990-7810, depict the significance of home during childhood and www.capilanou.ca/centre
COMING EVENTS
Mar 1, Sat Þorrablót: Cocktails 6 pm, Dinner 7 pm Scandinavian Centre Mar 28, Fri Annual General Meeting, 7 pm Iceland Room, Scandinavian Centre June 21-22 (Sat/Sun) Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Scandinavian Centre
4 February 2014 Nordic Design2014: Mid-Century Modern
Watch for our exciting new show set for February 23 and 24, 2014. It will replace our annual Art and Photography show and, if successful, Nordic Design will alternate years with the Art show. With this first show the SCS plans a general display of Mid-Century Modern furniture, glass, tools, textiles and clothing, jewellery, interiors and architecture from 1950 on that set new design standards for the world to copy. The show will include talks, videos, workshops, and music.
We plan two sources of design materials. First, we invite you to loan us pieces that illustrate Mid-Century Modern design. Your homes are filled with outstanding examples of Danish furniture, Swedish and Finnish glass and textiles, Icelandic jewellery, and Norwegian wood – all affordable, practical, and beautifully designed. Then we will invite Vancouver community partners selling both contemporary and collectable designs to offer design examples for show and sale. You can come to learn, enjoy, and purchase. You are also welcome to sell your loaned artefacts.
Carolyn Thauberger and John Stuart are leading the show organization. John, retired museum curator and collector, has extensive knowledge of Nordic design. Contact: [email protected], with your own ideas, offers to help, and to present your articles for display. We appreciate your help; the safety of your fine artefacts will be our first priority. Come and be proud of our outstanding design heritage!
5 February 2014 Icelandic (farmed) Salmon By Russell Maynard
The other day I was coming home from my daughter’s football (soccer) game and thought I’d pick up dinner at Whole Foods. Whole Foods is fun to shop at but we often refer to it as Whole Paycheck for good reason.
I wanted salmon for dinner. So after picking up potatoes and broccoli I went to the seafood counter. “Could you price that beautiful, thick, cut of Spring for me,” I asked. It looked like enough for the four of us.
“That will be $60.00,” she quoted. Not wanting to appear financially challenged I tried to look calm but I could feel my eyes bulging. This was not a side - just a large steak! “Maybe something else…” I said in a composed voice.
I scanned the seafood on display and it was all priced similarly with Sockeye being just slightly less than the Spring. The Sockeye is reddest, the Spring lighter and generally fattier (which I like). The cheapest salmon was an even lighter filet labelled ‘Icelandic Atlantic’. Atlantic is almost always, at least here on the Wet Coast, a euphemism for ‘farmed’.
I’ve never purchased farmed salmon and feel that it is inferior to wild in so many ways, not the least of which A large piece still cost me $30.00. We decided to is that it subscribes to lowest common denominator BBQ it so as to leverage all the good flavour out of a industrial techniques of producing food. The premium priced steak. BBQ’d on wood charcoal. McDonalds of seafood so to speak. A little while later I served dinner and we all enjoyed But here I was in Whole Paycheck, my basket full of the soft, moist salmon. I didn’t think it produced the great side dishes and I’m in front of the seafood ‘Wow’ of a great Spring done on the wood BBQ but it counter - what to do. Knowing that all things Icelandic was delicious and most importantly, it was Icelandic. are superior I began to read the long explanation on the presentation for the Icelandic brand: After dinner I thought ‘I have to call my aunt Naomi and tell her about the Icelandic Salmon’. So I did - but …the salmon producers in Iceland are providing us with I made her promise not to tell Andy, her son, my some of the most intriguing farmed salmon available. cousin (like a brother) - but an evangelical wild Salmon raised on land, in tanks, in water heated by salmon eater and a fisherman. I wasn’t yet willing to geo-thermal springs. This means no escapes, good lose face quite yet. water quality, and just rich and sweet farmed Atlantic salmon. Currently, we are the sole supplier of this amazing yet limited product – found only in our Midwest Burial Rites, book by Hannah Kent region stores. The book is a work of fiction based on the life of
Their paper handout goes on to extoll virtues like: Agnes Magnúsdóttir. She and Friðrik Sigurðsson Growing without the use of any hormones, artificial were the last persons to be executed in Iceland flavouring, steroids, stimulants, unnatural ingredients (beheaded), convicted for their role in the or preservatives. murders of Nathan Ketilsson and Peter Jónsson in Our Icelandic Salmon gets its red colour from phaffia 1828. yeast, not synthetic carotenoids. Comment by a reviewer: A brilliant literary debut, Now I don’t know what that yeast is but the marketers inspired by a true story. earned their pay check - it sounded intriguing and I Comment by one of our readers: a very interesting wanted to try it because it was, after all, from Iceland! read; highly recommended.
6 February 2014
From Daily News from Iceland – January 2014 Compiled by Iceland Review Editorial Staff
Skyr Sold in Forty Thousand Iceland; 1,310 moved to Iceland while households, Bóndadagur is celebrated Stores in USA 520 returned to Poland. by eating the traditional Þorri food: Siggi’s Skyr, a brand of Icelandic-style dried fish, smoked lamb, putrefied yoghurt started by Icelander Sigurður Record Number of Women in shark and soured blood and liver Hilmarsson in New York, has proven Icelandic Police Academy pudding, along with other soured meat so popular in the United States that it Sixteen new students enrolled in the products, including ram testicles. The is now available in 40,000 stores beginner’s program at the Police delicacies are often washed down with across the country. Sales reached Academy of Iceland earlier this week. a shot or two of brennivín, Icelandic ISK 2 billion (USD 17.4 million, EUR Of the 16 students, 11 are women, or schnapps. Women also think of other 12.7 million) last year, ruv.is reports. almost 69 percent. This is the highest ways to show appreciation to their men, Sigurður started producing skyr in his proportion of women in the school’s take them out to a fancy dinner or home kitchen around ten years ago. history and it is also the first time that prepare a nice meal at home—steak is Today, around 15 people work at the women are in the majority, visir.is a favored option. Most men would likely company, The Icelandic Milk and Skyr reports. The program takes four also be happy to receive specially- Corporation, and another 80 work in months. brewed Þorri beer, carried by the state- production. Icelandic company MS run wine stores Vínbúðin at this time of also exports skyr to the United States. Men in Short Supply in Akureyri year. The population of Akureyri, North Large Decrease in Number of Iceland, the largest town outside the PM: Iceland to Keep Króna Smokers in Iceland capital region, was 18,110 on January1 “For now we’re sticking with the króna The number of Icelanders who smoke up 134 from last year, weekly Vikudagur and when I say ‘for now’ I’m talking daily has dropped from 1-in-4, ten reports. There are 150 more females about the foreseeable future,” Iceland’s years ago to 1-in-10, mbl.is reports. than males in the town, or 8,980 Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð The ratio drops to 8% when only compared to 9,130. Gunnlaugsson said in an interview. those with tertiary education are “Iceland’s economic recovery is bound considered while 23% of those who Good Turnout for Annual New Year’s up with the króna.” The króna has have only finished lower secondary Day Sea Swim appreciated nine percent against the school smoke. The Nordic Council There was a good turnout at euro over the past 12 months, aims to make the Nordic countries Nauthólsvík in Reykjavík for the annual Bloomberg reports. Still, today’s rate of smoke free by 2040. 18% of sea swim on New Year’s Day. about 157 per Euro compares with an Americans smoke, down from 42% Conditions were cold but most people average of 88 in 2007, a year before half a century ago. were well prepared with their swimming the financial collapse. Sigmundur Davíð costumes, gloves, shoes and hats, also said that once long-term stability Watch out for Reindeer on Road 92 ruv.is reports. was in place, the government would be The Icelandic Road Administration able to make a decision on the future of the currency. has asked drivers to keep an eye out Free Trade Agreement with China for a large group of reindeer close to Approved by Parliament road 92 between Eskifjörður and Iceland’s Alþingi parliament approved a Proposal for Train to Keflavík Reyðarfjörður in the East Fjords. free trade agreement with China International Presented January 30, ruv.is reports. Fifty-six The traveling time from Reykjavík to Four Thousand Foreigners Moved Members of Parliament voted in favor of Keflavík International Airport, a distance to Iceland in 2012 the agreement while two voted against of around 50 kilometers (30 miles) Foreign citizens who moved to it; members of the Pirate Party, could be reduced to just 20 minutes, Iceland in 2012 totaled 3,920 while criticizing the decision to go into an according to a report published by 2,350 moved abroad meaning that agreement with China because of Kedeco, the development company for 1,500 more foreigners live in Iceland human rights abuses in the country. the airport, about the possible now than in January one year ago. At construction of a high speed rail system. More than 2 million passengers the same time, 3,150 Icelanders Husband’s Day Celebrated in Iceland pass through the airport today but the emigrated from Iceland, most of them January 24 is Bóndadagur, or number is expected to rise to 4.5 million to Norway and Denmark. Almost the Husband’s Day, when wives and in ten year’s time, the time it would take same number, or 3,110, of Icelanders girlfriends in Iceland pamper their men. to construct the railway, mbl.is reports. moved back home including 1,000 Bóndadagur also marks the beginning The cost is estimated at ISK 100 billion. from Denmark and 680 from Norway, of the old Icelandic month of Þorri, Iceland has never before had a mbl.is reports. Polish citizens are by during which Þórrablót mid-winter feasts passenger railway system. far the biggest group immigrating to are held across the country. In many
7 February 2014 SCANDINAVIAN CENTRE ACTIVITIES Website: www.scandinaviancentre.org (for more details) E-mail address: [email protected], Telephone: 604-294-2777
Feb 12 (Wed) The Scandinavian Business Club’s recommend one of the classes you took in 2013? monthly Dinner meeting. Dinner 7 pm, $25 Call Bjarne Possible classes include: Norwegian Hardanger 604-528-9290, or Jan 604-551-7512. embroidery or Nordic knitting, Norwegian Danish
Feb 14 (Fri) Scandinavian Seniors Lunch, noon (page 3) Aebleskiver, would you like to learn to dance the Schottis? Feb 22 & 23 Scandinavian Design 2014 Festival: Mid- Something for all ages from the smallest to oldest. century Modern. The society needs furniture and artifacts Expand your horizons and learn a craft or a new recipe for Nordic design display. (see page 5) from each of our five countries. Classes will be 1/2 day,
Feb 27 (Thurs) Full Day Partner Bridge Tournament, full day, or 2 day depending on the activity.
9am. $20 each, call Vivian or Helen 604-521-6714. Feb 2,9,16,23 (Sun) Norwegian Knitting, 4-6pm, $20,
April 12 & 13 (Sat & Sun) Nordic Spirit 2014: The Home 6 classes. Bea Jacobsen, email [email protected], cell: Front, 10 am—4 pm both days. Opening reception 604-790-3533.
Saturday 11:30 am. Photos, stories and presentation Feb 5, 19, 26 (Wed) Scandinavian Dancers of around Nordic life during and after the war. Scandinavian Vancouver, 7 pm. Contact Judy 604-5226-4722, email: Cultural Society. [email protected]. Web: www.vcn.bc.ca/scandi/
April 12 & 13 (Sat & Sun) Nordic Cultural Weekend. Choirs: Danish Tivoli Singers; Runeberg Choir; Let us know which Nordic crafts, baking, etc., that you or Language classes—contact the office. your family would be most interested in learning. Can you Viking Boat Munin: for information contact Marian Hammond 604-782-0639 Icelandic Online Club; email: [email protected] Web: inlofna.org/IOC Icelandic Language CDs or Tapes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IcelandicOnlineClub Get acquainted with the language or brush up on your pronunciation with lessons 1 & 2, each one hour long. Typed
lessons are included so that you can learn to read Icelandic The 8-page newsletter is published at the beginning of each as well. month, ten months of the year. A newsletter is not printed in Canadian Orders: CDs, 2 lesson sets $30 CAD/ USD; July or August. Material is gratefully received by the 20th of tapes are also available. Postage & handling included. each month. US and Foreign Orders: International money order only.
Editor & Publisher: Send your cheque or money order made out to: Margrét Bjarnason Amirault, Tel: 604-688-9082 Icelandic Canadian Club of B.C. ICCBC Mail: 6540 Thomas Street 3776 Arbor Street, Burnaby, BC V5J 1T4 Tel: 604-433-6329 Burnaby, BC V5B 4P9 www.inlofna.org/ICCBC/Tape_Lessons.htm E-mail: [email protected] Distribution: Ruth and Norm Sigurdson Oakridge Lutheran Church Labels: Elfa Reykdal 585 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver ICCBC INFORMATION LINE & ANSWERING MACHINE, Tel: 604-515-1224 (remains the same) 9:30 a.m., Sunday Morning Service
English Joint Services Website: Icelandic Canadian Club of B.C. www.inlofna.org/ICCBC/Welcome.html Coffee served every Sunday
Email: [email protected] Everyone is welcome! Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Icelandic-
Canadian-Club-of-British-Columbia/190426084338925 Website: Icelandic National League: www.inlofna.org LIBRARY & GENEALOGY Icelandic Archives of BC: www.inlofna.org/IABC/Welcome.html The sorting of books in the Sólskin Library is Icelandic Radio (6 stations): www.xnet.is progressing well. Books written by Icelanders in Morgunblaðið: http://mbl.is English, or translations, are available in the Ströndin Internet Radio: www.inlofna.org/SIR Scandinavian library upstairs. Honorary Consul General of Iceland for BC & Yukon, Heather Alda Ireland: [email protected] Information regarding the Genealogy Centre can be obtained from Gerri McDonald at 604-279-0420.
8 February 2014