The Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia

N E W S L E T T E R

April 2019 LI:iv

Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia Annual General Meeting Scandinavian Centre, 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, BC Wednesday, April 3, 2019, 7 pm

There are vacancies on the Board of Directors to be filled at our AGM. Consider joining the Board. Our meetings are once a month, 1½-2 hours max. and they are social, yet efficient. We would like you to join our cultural community. For information, contact Norman Eyford, President, [email protected], 778-846-1894. Or, simply turn up ! There is always coffee and dessert after the meeting.

Scandinavian Community Centre Society Annual General Meeting Scandinavian Centre, 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, BC Thursday, April 18, 2019, 7 pm

The AGM will elect a Board of Directors that governs the Scandinavian Centre and represents all five Scandinavian countries: , , Iceland, and .

For information, contact Ron Stubbings, Board of Director’s President, Scandinavian Centre, 604-294-2777

Icelandic National League Convention May 16-19, 2019 Fairmont Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba https://icfron.ca/convention/

As you can see to your right, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, and First Lady Eliza Reid, will be attending the Convention.

Entertainment for the weekend includes B.C. based Lisa Maxx, Thursday night, at the Meet and Greet, Solskrikjan Choir with Director and Accompanist Kerrine Wilson, Friday at the Awards Ceremony and Sol James Saturday night at the Gala Dinner.

There will be time set aside to share your story with an artifact from your family history and the Yule Lads will (Continued on page 2)

1 (Continued from page 1 - Icelandic National league Convention)) be making an appearance at lunch on Saturday. We have an exciting program shaping up for the convention. Below is a list of the interesting people and organizations you will hear from when you attend the 100th INLNA convention.

· Cathy Josephson – East Iceland Emigration Centre · Sunna Furstenau – Icelandic Roots · Katie Parsons – Fragile Heritage Manuscript Project · Lilja Arnadottir – Head of Artifact Collection, National Museum of Iceland · Erika Thorsteinson – Growing Up Icelandic · Dr. Ryan Eyford – New Iceland Heritage Museum · Gudrun Nordal – The Arni Magnusson Institute · Asdis Joelsdottir – Origins, History and Design of the Icelandic Lopi Sweater · Icelandic Connection · The Icelandic Festival · Icelandic Language Camp · Icelandic Canadian Fron Youth Group · Snorri/Snorri Plus/Snorri West Icelandic Roots Genealogy Session, Sunday, May 19, 1:30-5 pm

As we all know, Icelanders are great travellers. It is not unusual to run into Icelanders in London, Copenhagen or other European cities but an unexpected meeting this month was on a small group day tour in northwest Argentina. The last passenger to board the mini bus was Kristín. She sat down beside me and when she replied to the tour guide she is from Iceland, our little group of four ICCBC members were surprised. Kristín was even more surprised to hear Nina and I speak to her in Icelandic! We all laughed saying Icelanders are everywhere! Of course, we had to figure out how we are related. Lovely coincidence that helped make a 14 hour tour much more On the way to Humahuaca interesting. By Gerri McDonald Back: Kristin, Gerri, Nina Jobin, Front: Colin & Karen McDonald

Hőfn Icelandic Harbour, 2020 Harrison Drive, Vancouver, BC

Assisted Living & Affordable Housing An open and bright, caring, friendly environment

We have been providing care for Seniors since 1947. Find us at: [email protected] or Front entrance and drop-off. The van is to transport residents to shopping 604-321-3812 and other entertainment.

2 April 2019 Icelandic Princesses at Þorrablót L: Samantha Stanley—Princess 2019, and Nordic Spirit 2019 ‘ How We Got Here’ R: Past Princess, 2018—Rosa Bjarnason Apr 13/14 (Sat/Sun) 11 am-6pm

On Exhibit: Historic images, travel stories and videos of our Immigrant Travel Stories. Please come and share your stories.

11:30 Opening reception, music by Silver Winds 1:00 Scott Larsen: “The Titanic” 1:30 Our Travel Tales 3:30 Music by Sammenspil 4:00 James A.V. Bligh, Architect: “Scandinavian Design: Lessons for the Pacific Northwest from Copenhagen to Kirkenes” Join James Bligh for rapid-fire review of Scandinavian urbanism, architecture and foods that would be right at home in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Judith Anderson [email protected]

Nordic Spirit 2019 ‘How We Got Here’ April 14 (Sun) 11am to 4pm

Our Immigrant Travel Stories Please come and share your stories On Exhibit: Historic images, travel stories and videos. Info: Carolyn Thauberger at [email protected] or 778 228-233 https://scancentre.org/nordic-spirit-2019-how-we-got-here/

With the INL program, Snorri West, young Icelanders will be visiting Vancouver this June

As mentioned in the last newsletter, this summer Vancouver will host a group of young Icelanders participating in the Snorri West program. Snorri West is a program that strengthens the bonds between the people of Iceland and the people of Icelandic descent in North America. Four have been chosen: Natalía Lind Jóhannsdóttir, Garðabær; Karítas Hrundar Pálsdóttir, 105 Reykjavík; Guðbjörg Halldórsdóttir; Stykkishólmur; Oddrún Assa Jóhannsdóttir; 110 Reykjavík. They are here to visit their ancestors’ adopted countries, and experience our cultures, languages, stories, and nature, as well as explore our communities. Where possible, they will also meet relatives and experience how Western Icelanders are keeping their Icelandic heritage alive in their communities. Will you help to welcome them by volunteering to :  Take the Snorri West group for a day or half-day of activities (There is a schedule and we will supply any tickets required)  Host a dinner for the Snorri West group Donations of:  One or more tickets to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Fly Over Canada, Grouse Mountain, Sea to Sky Gondola, Gulf of Georgia Cannery Museum  All Icelanders love coffee – we’ll need Starbucks and Tim Hortons gift cards Sponsors for:  Pizza or sushi or ice cream  One of the activities mentioned above  Bicycle rentals at Stanley Park

Contact: Blair Lockhart, Vancouver Coordinator, [email protected] or 778.628.5872.

April 2019 3 Our thanks to the following who helped at the 2019 Þorrablót Norman Eyford Asi & Jacquie Bjornson Jana & Oðinn Helgason Michelle, Russell & Edda& Kent Langworth Loa & Vanya Maynard Margaret Bj Amirault Tom Penway Lee Lipton, photographer Kristine Sigurdson Anna Bjarnason Hilda Andrew Paul Bjarnason Annika Andrew Gunnar Hansson Erika Sigurdson Heather Johnson Jason Scultety Miriam Esmail & daughters Lois Turner Joan Christensen Tammy & Krystal Eyford

And, our thanks to the businesses who donated: Dawn Romerell- quilt maker Pacific Breeeze Winery LynnValley Lashes - Lovely Lashes HR Macmillan Space Center

Sonja, one of the door prize winners,

Blair & Tony with guest speaker, Glenn Sigurdson with President

Norman Eyford

Heather, Maureen & Mary

BOOKS—Free or by Donation

Some of the Silent Auction Displays

4 April 2019 Part of the crowd at Þorrablót

Hangikjőt – so good Dessert, and more

Gunnar, Edda & pick-up choir from attendees, singing old Icelandic folk and party songs A piece of art at the auction: carved out of wood, with working timepiece, by Asi Björnson

Margrét & Oðinn (our M/C)

5 April 2019

Ieda Jónasdóttir Herman, 93 year old in the Sun Run by Heidi Herman-Kerr

Ninety-three year old Iceland native Ieda Jónasdóttir Herman, affectionately known to her family as "Viking Amma", is joining the Scandinavian Centre Team for the Vancouver Sun Run, April 14th. Her son, Del Herman, from Surrey and her grandson, Eric Herman, from Burnaby, are joining her on the Scan Centre Team as well. The Scandinavian Centre team has participated in the Sun Run for several years. Their captain is Karina Linder.

This event is nothing new for the adventuring was born in Iceland in 1925. In 1945, she met and nonagenarian. She encourages everyone to ‘just keep married a US serviceman and they settled in the moving’ to maintain a vitality in life. Her current effort United States. Her father, Jonas Bjornsson, was a dual to promote active lifestyles is a personal challenge she citizen of Iceland and Canada, operating a fishing has undertaken to experience 93 new things for her 93 trawler at Souris, Prince Edward Island. She has many year. Ieda provides updates and encouragement to relatives still in Iceland, but her offspring - ten followers by posting photos and descriptions of new children, eighteen grandchildren, nineteen great- activities that this year has included the mundane to grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren - all daring - like dying her hair red, trying avocados, driving currently reside in North America. a snowmobile, zip-lining in Iceland, and giving her first television interview. The Sun Run is planned as her On April 13th, Ieda will be participating in the Nordic 83rd event of the year. Spirit 2019 event, "Are We There Yet?", to be held at the Scandinavian Centre and presented by the It is important to her to maintain these activities. Scandinavian Cultural Society. She will share her story Three years ago, Ieda suffered a stroke while at her of how she came to America, a tale she loves to tell, home. She quickly recognized the symptoms and from the unexpected proposal on their second date to immediately sought medical attention. She credits a being a homesick young girl finding comfort in the complete and rapid recovery to the proficiency of the kleinur (Icelandic doughnut) she found in her pocket medical staff and prompt treatment. The experience days after arriving in America. She even wrote a book motivated her to speak out using social media and to recount her recollections of Iceland, intending to public appearances, promoting stroke symptom share the memories with her grandchildren, but it awareness. turned out to be something more. In 2014, at the age of 88, she published her first book, a memoir of her Ieda currently resides in the US, and regularly travels childhood in Iceland. The memoir current edition, across North America visiting her numerous “Growing Up Viking” and the children’s version descendants and attending Scandinavian events. She companion book “Viking Kids Don’t Cry” were followed by a fiction novel “The Silver Arrow.” In addition to writing, she is a public speaker, and active on social media where she maintains a Blog, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.

Books that Leda has written: Growing Up Viking ISBN 978-0998281650 Viking Kids Don’t Cry ISBN 978-0998281681 The Silver Arrow April 2019 6

From Iceland Review Online & Iceland Monitor–March 2019 Compiled by Editorial Staff

Iceland Wins First Euro 2020 Institute of Natural History, 282,000 in 2018, The Telegraph Qualifying Match published the results of a study on reports, a correlation that one Iceland’s national men’s football the pollution of aluminium plants. Environment Agency of Iceland official team won its first UEFA EURO 2020 Among the chemicals which the believes is directly linked to Bieber’s qualifying match against Andorra on plants pollute into the surrounding powerful influence. Friday, RÚV reports. It is the team’s areas is lead, nickel, arsenic, and From the: Reykjavik Grapevine first match under the management antimon, RÚV reports. Special Icelanders Are The World’s 4th of Coach Eirik Hamrén, following the monitoring takes place around Happiest People. But Who Are The departure of Coach Heimir various aluminium plants. “The moss Happiest Icelanders? Hallgrímsson, who lead the team to has disappeared in some places, The World Happiness Report is out, their historic World Cup debut in such as Straumsvík and in which examines numerous social and 2018. Grundartangi as well, while the moss political factors for determining any has receded significantly in a couple given nation’s levels of happiness, Indigo Partners Call Off WOW air of places in Reyðarfjörður.” “We’re including quality of government, Negotiations – Icelandair Renews especially worried about the lead as prosocial behaviour, the wellbeing of Interest that material is very unfavourable to immigrants, and other aspects. This Indigo Partners has cancelled humans,” Sigurður stated. year, the Finns top the list as the negotiations to invest in WOW air. world’s happiest people, while South Subsequently, the board of Justin Bieber blamed for tourism Sudan is the most unhappy. Icelandair Group has agreed to boom at Iceland canyon, now Iceland ended up in 4th place, and reenter negotiations with WOW, closed to visitors—Blame the has been near the top for several according to a statement released Bieber effect. years running. Fréttablaðið reports by WOW. One ancient canyon in Iceland has that, according to a Gallup online poll been closed to the public over initiated by the Directorate of Health, Restaurants and Shops to Double at concerns that the scenic spot’s the residents of the southwest Keflavík Airport “fragile vegetation” is in danger Icelandic town of Grindavík are Keflavík Airport is planning to double after a major uptick in foot traffic in Iceland’s happiest, while those who its shopping and restaurant service recent years. The cleft won fame as live in the Westman Islands are the over the next few years, Vísir the site of a 2015 Justin Bieber most unhappy. There were other reports. The airport’s Director of music video. sectors examined apart from where in Business Hlynur Sigurðsson says Public access for the southeastern Iceland someone lives, with type of revenue from sources other than Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon was recently employment being one of them, which flights is important for keeping the shuttered by local environmental yielded the most unsurprising results. airport competitive. Shops and officials after being “overrun by Elected officials and business owners restaurants at Keflavík International visitors,” whose sheer volume is reported being the happiest, while Airport currently cover an area of threatening to ruin the ancient labourers and workers in the service some 4,500 metres squared (48,000 canyon’s “fragile vegetation,” Lonely industry were the least happy. feet squared), but according to Planet reports. The canyon was the Hlynur, that area will double over site of the now 25-year-old star’s “I'll GDRN Sweeps Icelandic Music Awards the next ten years. Show You” video, which has since The 2018 Icelandic Music Awards in been viewed over 440 million times Harpa’s Silfurberg Hall, Pop artist Pollution Kills Moss Surrounding on YouTube. In the clip, Bieber runs, GDRN swept the awards, taking home Aluminium Plants frolics and takes in the stunning four awards. Rapper Auður, who Aluminium plants around the sights, apparently inspiring his received eight nominations, took country pollute the surrounding international legions of fans to want home two awards for songwriting and areas, killing moss around the to do the same. Fjaðrárgljúfur’s best electronic album, while plants. Sigurður H. Magnússon, a annual number of visitors swelled controversial band Hatari left vegetation ecologist at the Icelandic from roughly 150,000 in 2017 to attendees with a political message.

7 April 2019 SCANDINAVIAN CENTRE ICELANDIC SUMMER CAMP, Gimli area Website: www.scandinaviancentre.org (for more details) REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN! E-mail: [email protected], Telephone: 604-294-2777 July 27—August 2, 2019

Apr 1 (Mon), 7 pm—Flat Bread Baking Class This year there are 55 spots open for campers to have the experience of a lifetime. To ensure that your child Apr 10 (Wed), Scandinavian Business Club Dinner. 6-7pm gets a spot for this year’s camp, fill out the registration Networking and socializing hour; 7–8:15 pm Dinner. Early Bird at: www.icelandiccamp.com or call: 1-204-485-5455. Price,: Member $35; Non-member $40; Regular Price: Member $45; Non-member $50 www.sbc-bc.ca. Do join us for this fun. There are three age groups: Apr 12 (Fri) 12 noon—Scandinavian Seniors Lunch, $3 if you 5-8, 8-14, 15-17. bring a plate of sandwiches, cakes or cookies to share, OR $8 if you prefer not to bring food. Contact: Tor Olufsen (604) Also contact:

294‑0749 or by [email protected] Icelandic Camp, c/o Krista Narfason, Apr 13 (Sat) 4 pm—Scandinavian Design: Lessons for the PO Box 585, Pacific Northwest from Copenhagen to Kirkenes. Join Architect Gimli, MB, R0C 1B0. AIBC James AV Bligh for a rapid-fire review of Scandinavian urbanism, architecture, and foods that would be right at home in the Pacific Northwest. Contact: Judith Anderson: [email protected] 604-526-4722 Icelandic Online Club; email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Apr 27 (Sat) - 1 pm—Genealogy Meeting, Contact: Poul Erik Rasmussen [email protected] IcelandicOnlineClub

April 27 (Sat) - Arts Night with Jazz Icelandic Language CDs or Tapes

Get acquainted with the language or brush up on your pronunciation with lessons 1 & 2, each one hour long.

The 8-page newsletter is published at the beginning of each Print lessons are included so that you can learn to read month, ten months of the year. A newsletter is not printed in Icelandic as well. July or August. Material is gratefully received by the 20th of each  Canadian Orders: CDs, 2 lesson sets $30 CAD/ USD; month. tapes are also available. Postage & handling included.  US & 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.

Distribution: Naomi Dyer, Heather Johnson, Nina Jobin

Membership: Norman Eyford

ICCBC Mail: 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, BC V5B 4P9 Oakridge Lutheran Church

Printer: Prism Printing, New Westminster is engaging in a major redevelopment

The new worship space is: Redeemer Website of the Icelandic Canadian Club of BC: Lutheran Church, 1499 Laurier Ave., www.icelandicclubbc.ca Vancouver.

Email: [email protected] Sunday worship time 1 pm.

Facebook: Facebook.com/icelandicclubbc

Icelandic National League Website: www.inlofna.org Library & Genealogy Icelandic Radio (6 stations): www.xnet.is Books written by Icelanders in English or translation Morgunblaðið: http://mbl.is are available in the Scandinavian library upstairs. Ströndin Internet Radio: www.inlofna.org/SIR Books in Icelandic are located in the Iceland Room.

Honorary Consul General of Iceland for British Columbia, Information regarding the Genealogy Centre can be Glenn Sigurdson, www.glennsigurdson.com obtained from Gerri McDonald, email: [email protected]

April 2019 8