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September 2014 XLVI:vii

The Icelandic Care Home Höfn Society

Annual General meeting

Sunday, September 14, 2014, 2 pm 2020 Harrison Drive, Vancouver, BC

604-321-3812

The agenda will consist of Reports, the Election of the Board of Directors and any new business.

At adjournment, sandwiches and goodies are provided, coffee and tea, and Door Prizes.

Three large History Panels depicting the history of Höfn from 1947 to the present will be unveiled.

Sneak preview of a Photo Essay on life at the Icelandic Care Home Höfn

by Robert Asgeirsson.

Höfn Society welcomes new members

See you there

The Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia

N E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E R

VÍKINGUR ÓLAFSSON

Cross Canada Recital Tour

Vancouver, Friday, November 7th, 7:30 pm

Pyatt Hall, 843 Seymour Street, Vancouver

Presented by the Consulate General of Iceland

Tickets: Free

Reservations are Mandatory: iceconsul@shaw.ca

“Immense Talent … You must hear this young pianist” … Piano News Magazine

“Born to play piano” … N.Y. Sun

“Perfect Continuity of Thought” … Giornale Della Musica

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In 1959, this picture was taken at the Icelandic Picnic in Blaine. Norm Eyford says: We are all cousins. Arnold and Ed are brothers. This was in 1959 when my dad Halli Eyford and I came out to B.C. by train from Brandon Manitoba. Halli enjoyed coming to Vancouver in the summer and attending the Icelandic Picnic in Blaine. On this same trip, Herman Isfeld

from Cypress River travelled with us. Herman stayed in B.C. and lived with his son and daughter-in-law Kris and Sylvia Isfeld. Herman then moved into the Icelandic Old Folks Home on Osler Street in Vancouver on October 1, 1960. He was one of those original residents who moved from Osler to Harrison Drive when the Icelandic Care Home Höfn opened on April 28, 1963. Herman’s picture is included in the three history panels which will be unveiled at the Icelandic Care Home Höfn Society AGM at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14.

Icelandic Picnic, Peace Arch Park, July 27 (every year, on a Saturday or Sunday, the last weekend of July)

Norman Eyford, David Eyford, Arnold Eyford, Ed Eyford

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Illustrated talk by Dr. Elisabeth Ward 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday October 4

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Scandinavian Community Centre 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby

See recent finds on Erik the Red and his son Leif the Lucky. These powerful Viking leaders,

exiled from Norway, banished from Iceland, established settlements in Greenland and “Vinland.” We found them. The sagas tell the story; archaeology reveals the evidence.

Professor Ward, Historical Anthropologist, is a specialist in Viking research at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA, and co-editor of Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga.

Entrance by donation. Free coffee and cakes.

Presented by: The Scandinavian Cultural Society, Norwegian House Society,

Sons of Norway District, Norlands Lage. Information: cthauber12@gmail.com

www.scandinaviancentre.ca

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The Second Annual Leif Eirikson Festival: this year, Celebrating Norway Saturday & Sunday, October 4

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held at the Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas St, Burnaby

Cultural Classes: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm each day for total of 6 hrs of instruction. Hardanger Embroidery, Instructor Bea Jacobsen;

Nordic Wood Carving, Instructor Anita McGinnis; Rosemaling, Instructor Aaslaug Boulier; Baking classes each morning: Frystekake & Lefse: TBA

Registration forms online: Class fees $15 per course. Beginners welcome.

Children's activities each day.

Leif Erikson Exhibit from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma. Exhibits & afternoon presentations free.

Saturday 1 p.m. Official Opening & Dr. Olivia Gunn, PLU Tacoma, WA: The Birth of Modern Norway 2 p.m. Tobias F. Svenninsen, Minister Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Ottawa: Norway Today

3 p.m. Informal Reception: with Mr Svenninsen representing the Ambassador

7 p.m. Professor Elisabeth Ward, Historical Anthropologist, PLU Tacoma, Erik the Red & his son, Leif Erikson

Co-editor of Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga. Admission by donation.

Sunday: 1:30 p.m. Norwegian movie Matinee: North of the Sun. Suggested movie donation $5 pp

More info: www.scandinaviancentre.org, or cthauber12@gmail.com Classes info: Sonja Busch 604 522 4567 sonjabusch@hotmail.com

Sponsored by the Scandinavian Cultural Society.

Enjoy food with a Norwegian flavour throughout the weekend.

Organized jointly by the SCS, Norwegian House Society, SON Varden, Viking, Sleipner Lodges & Nordenslaget

Svavar Knútur

Svavar is foremost an entertainer. He sings, tells stories, is

humorous and fun. He has a concert date in Seattle on October

9th and it is rumored that he will be in Vancouver, October 8th.

He is very well known in Iceland and has extensive bookings in

Europe. His latest CD is ‘A Girl from Vancouver’ and favorite

songs from other CDs are: ‘Songs for my Amma,’ and ‘Baby Will

you Marry Me.’ He also produces some of his music on 7" vinyl

on Beste Unterhaltung, his German label. One reviewer says: His songs and vocal delivery always seem to strike a chord with his audiences, along with his decadently charming on-stage persona, his concerts at times comprised of stories within stories within songs within songs.

If you get a chance to attend one of his performances, go! He is great! Check him out at: svavarknutur.com

From Wikipedia: Svavar Knútur is the stage name of Icelandic singer-songwriter Svavar Knútur Kristinsson,

from the Westfjords. He sings in the Icelandic language and English. He has in recent years toured

extensively around Europe as well as doing some touring of Australia and North America.

Midsummer Festival Lottery Winners:

1st Prize: Return Airfare for two with IcelandAir from Seattle to Scandinavia, Donated by IcelandAir, $2,250:

Per Unheim

Prizes 2/3/4/5/6 of $500 each, donated by the five Scandinavian clubs: Leslie Burns; Jasmine Holmes; Sumintra Narain; Gerry Stensgaard; Simone Sullivan.

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COMING EVENTS

September 21 (Sun) Beck Lecture—Icelandic Migration to and through Utah, 7:30pm University of Victoria October 4 & 5 (Sat & Sun) Leif Eirikson Day Festival: Focus on Norway, 9:30am Scandinavian Centre November 7 (Fri) Víkingur Ólafsson, Pianist, 7:30pm Pyatt Hall, 843 Seymour Street, Vancouver November 29 (Sat) Children’s Christmas Party, 1-3pm Confederation Centre, Seniors Bldg November 30 (Sun) Bake Sale Scandinavian Centre

September 2014

Beck Lecture - "Icelandic Migration to and through Utah" - Sunday, September 21, 7:30 pm, Clearihue Building, Room A127, University of Victoria

http://gateway.uvic.ca/beck/

Dr. Fred Woods Department of Church History, Brigham Young University Dr. Fred E. Woods earned his doctoral degree from the University of Utah. He is a professor at Brigham Young University (BYU). He is the author of Fire on Ice: Icelandic Latter-day Saints at Home and Abroad (2005) and the editor of the “Mormon Migration” website, http://mormonmigration.lib.byu.edu/. He is currently working on publishing Icelandic materials extant in Utah. Dr. Woods will focus on the reasons why Icelanders immigrated to Utah (1854-1914) and will include an overview of their journey as well as their settlement and assimilation in this region.

Presented by the Richard and Margaret Beck Trust and the Department of English.

2015 -The play: ‘ICELAND’ — March 18—29, 2015, 8pm evenings; 2pm matinees - www.phtheatre.org

Presentation House Theatre, 333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver, 604-990-3474

Set against the backdrop of the banking crisis, Iceland reverberates with the deepest rumblings of our society.

A scathing, funny, and insightful look at the oppositional forces facing the urban consumer. Iceland is both a

compelling story of three people in trouble and an intelligent critique of capitalism gone wild—which makes it

both entertaining and timely.

The Vancouver Writers Festival October 24-26, 2014, www.writersfest.bc.ca

Will be featuring Icelandic author SJÓN

Sjón is an award-winning novelist, poet and playwright, whose work has been translated into 25 languages. He is the President of the Icelandic PEN Centre and the Chairman of the Board of Reykjavik UNESCO City of Literature.

Also a lyricist, he has written songs for Björk, including for her most recent project, Biophilia. Sjón was nominated for an Oscar for the lyrics he co-wrote (with Lars von Trier) for Dancer in the Dark. He lives in Reykjavik. sjon.siberia.is, @Sjonorama

Sjón’s appearance is supported by the Icelandic Literature Center. He is participating in the following events:

The Toast(s) of Europe Wednesday, October 22, 8:30 pm An Intimate Evening with Sjón Thursday, October 23, 8:30 pm The Magnetic North Friday, October 24, 6:00 pm The Literary Cabaret Friday, October 24, 8:00 pm

Check out the webpage for ticket info. From Wikipedia: Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson (born 27 August 1962), known as Sjón (/ˈʃoʊn/ SHOHN), is an Icelandic poet, novelist, and lyricist. His pen name (meaning "sight") is an abbreviation of his given name (Sigurjón). Sjón, as noted above, frequently collaborates with the singer Björk and has performed with The Sugarcubes as Johnny Triumph. His works have been translated into more than 25 languages.

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Vancouver International Film Festival, September 25—October 10, 2014, www.viff.org

350 Films from over 70 countries

Featuring two Icelandic films:

Of Horses and Men (German co-production)

Sept 25, 6:30pm, SFU Woodwards Theatre

149 Hastings Street or north corner Cambie & Cordova

Sept 27, 1:15pm, International Village

Sept 28, 4:00pm, International Village

Paris of the North Sept 26, 10:30am, and 9:30pm, International Village

88 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC (604) 806-0799

October 2, 1:30pm, International Village

VANCOUVER PREMIERE! EXCLUSIVE FIRST RUN! (not part of the Vancouver Film Festival)

Björk: Biophilia Live (a concert film) — The Cinematheque, 1131 Howe Street, Vancouver

► There is serious “Wow!” factor in this entrancing concert film from Icelandic eccentric and innovator Björk.

Shot in London at the conclusion of her 2013 tour, it has Björk performing her ambitious 2011 multimedia project/

album/app release . Friday, Oct 17 - 6:30pm, 10:15pm; Sunday, Oct 19 - 5:00pm, 8:45pm;

Wednesday, Oct 22 - 6:30pm

Other films of interest (not shown at the Film Festival)

LAND HO

The film "Land Ho!" has been shown at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival,

among others, and has received many favourable reviews. Nearly all of the film takes place in Iceland.

A review in the Vancouver Sun on August 15th says: It is a wonderful story of two geezers on a vacation in Iceland. Review in the Vancouver Observer: LAND HO: ....This amiable film will have you feeling the travel bug yourself while reflecting on the nature of friendship, old age and the contrasting personalities of a couple of geezers. It’s funny, bittersweet and easy to take.

This film was in Vancouver for a short run.

BRIM an Icelandic film by Arni Oli Asgeirsson

English Title: UNDERCURRENT

Year of production: WINTER 2007/2008, Domestic Release date: 1st of October 2010

The crew on board the fishing vessel Undercurrent RE 29 has been the same crew for as long as anyone cares to

remember and their world is somehow in balance. Then during one dark and dreary night surrounded by the vast

ocean the routine is shaken to its foundation when one of the most solid crewmembers commits suicide.

An unusual thing happens, to fill his gap, a young female takes his place on the next tour and gradually the

fragile balance is tipped. When things look like they can’t get any worse the power goes down on the vessel and a

storm is brewing so that rescue teams can’t reach them.

Brim received 6 EDDA awards – The Icelandic Film and TV Awards 2011 – including: Best Film, Leading actress,

Cinematography, Editing, Film Score, Sound design.

Available from the producing company Vesturport at Vesturport.com. Check on internet for others.

THE DEEP (Djúpið—original Icelandic title)

A 2012 Icelandic drama film directed by Baltasar Kormákur. The film was selected as the Icelandic entry for the

Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards, making the January shortlist. It was also nominated

for the 2013 Nordic Council Film Prize. The main actor who played the fisherman is Olafur Darri Olafsson. The

film is based on the true story of Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, a fisherman who tries to survive in the freezing ocean

after his boat capsizes off the south coast of Iceland.

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The Blue Lagoon By Alanna Mitchell, The Globe and Mail’s earth sciences reporter.

The Icelanders send tourists to the Blue Lagoon spa on the southwestern peninsula.

This started as a crazy dream to use up what is available and cut down on fossil fuels. It is so successful that it gives Icelanders perfect faith that they can make hydrogen work too.

The great joke is that this salty, healing spa is really the waste pit from Swartsengi, the geothermal electricity and space-heating plant that was Iceland’s first energy brainchild. Swartsengi’s stacks, yawning round windows and Star Wars-like architecture form a backdrop for the spa.

About 30 years ago, the Icelanders drilled a kilometre or two down to tap the hot salty water heated by the Earth’s crust. It burst out at about 242 degrees Celsius.

They figured out how to strip the energy out of the water and convert it into electricity. Once they extracted enough heat out of it to get its temperature down to 100 degrees, they transfer some of that heat to freshwater and run it through insulated pipes into houses and other buildings all over Iceland.

The Blue lagoon was formed when the seawater, cooled but otherwise identical to the way it came from the Earth, was piped out the back of the plant as waste.

Fatboy Slim, plus Icelandic musicians like Björk, Sigur Rós, FM Belfast, GusGus, múm, Of Monsters and Men and Seabear.

As if the incredible line-up wasn't enough, the 8,000 attendees will also enjoy the wonders of Iceland during their stay. Reykjavík is quite possibly the perfect festival city – small enough to be welcoming, sophisticated enough to offer cultural, historical and nightlife diversions to rival cities ten times its size. Plus, it's surrounded by some of the most unique and astonishing natural beauty you're ever likely to see.

Iceland's Blue Lagoon gets in on the Iceland Airwaves action too, with its annual Blue Lagoon Chill event from November 6-8. The three-day, off-venue celebration features live performances at LAVA restaurant and surprises in and around the Blue Lagoon each day.

Check www.icelandairwaves.is/ for the full 2014 lineup, for photos from the 2013 festival and to watch a 40-minute Iceland Airwaves “Rockumentary.” If you've are itching to attend this year's festival, you're in luck! There are still a few tickets left and Icelandair is offering a great Iceland Airwaves travel package. Check www.icelandair.ca offers and bookings/.

September 2014

Rock Out at Iceland Airwaves 2014 Iceland's biggest music festival will take place November 5-9 this year.

Established in 1999, Iceland Airwaves has become one of the premier annual showcases for new music in the world, with Rolling Stone calling it “the hippest long weekend on the annual music-festival calendar.” Taking place November 5-9 this year, the line-up includes bands from Iceland, Europe, the Americas and beyond. Plus, the festival's intimate venues are all located in downtown Reykjavik, so you can easily hop from one performance to the next.

This year's line-up includes 124 bands like FM Belfast, Son Luc, Dwabs, DADA and The Knife, just to name a few. Some of our own Reykjavik Calling alum, like Lay Low, Hermigervill and Uni Stefson will also perform this winter. Airwaves performers from previous years include The Shins, The Rapture, TV on The Radio, Florence and the Machine, Hot Chip, Bloc Party and

Sc ie n t i s t s thought that it would just quietly be a b s o r b e d back into the porous v o l c a n i c l a n d . Instead, the minerals it c o n t a i n e d sealed the pores and created an ever-expanding hot pool.

The Icelanders, never ones to waste an opportunity, began flocking there to bathe in the healing fluids, tinged blue because the silica in the water absorbs the colour red. The lagoon’s healing powers are so well documented that both the Danish and Icelandic medical systems send people there to poach themselves in the salty fluids.

As for Swartsengi, it is one of three plants that produce enough cheap geothermal energy to heat 87% of Icelandic houses and industrial plants, says Thorsteinn Jonsson, head of communications for the plant.

Energy is so plentiful that once the hot water heats up their homes, they run it underground to keep sidewalks and driveways free from snow and ice.

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From Daily News from Iceland – July, August, September 2014 Compiled by Iceland Review Editorial Staff

Bárðarbunga Eruption Major Worry, By Benedikt Jóhannesson September 10, 2014 The volcanic activity is worrying sc ient is ts and of f ic ia ls . An earthquake of magnitude 5.5 shook the area to the northeast of Bárðarbunga September 10 at 5:28 am. The probability of an eruption in Bárðarbunga is now thought to be increased due to a steady lowering of the surface above the volcano’s crater. This greatly worries scientists and Civil Protection Department representatives, ruv.is reports. An eruption in Bárðarbunga, which lies underneath Vatnajökull glacier, could potentially be massive, emitting high quantities of ash into the air, according to geophysicist Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson. The glacial melt water would ultimately break out as a great flood in one of the glacial rivers. This is the scenario wh ich the C iv i l P ro tec t ion Department is preparing for. Landsvirkjun national power company has moved water between its reservoirs to minimize risk, should a major flood occur. Víðir Reynisson, director of the Civil Protection Department, told mbl.is that it would be of major importance to know where a possible eruption might take place. Toxic gases make it very difficult to operate at the eruption site and access is very limited, even to scientists, who are required to wear gas masks when they work in the area. The gases can be life-threatening. Holuhraun Largest Lava Eruption in Iceland since 19th Century By Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir September 09, 2014 New lava at Holuhraun. The ongoing volcanic eruption in Holuhraun has already become the largest lava eruption in Iceland since the 19th century, according to volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson. More lava has been emitted than in

the largest lava eruption of the 20th century, Krafla in 1984. Ármann also pointed out that there is more gas in the magma than in the Krafla eruption, ruv.is reports. The lava emitted in the 1973 Eldfell e r u p t i o n i n H e i m a e y , Vestmannaeyjar, covered a smaller area than the lava already emitted in the Holuhraun eruption, but caused significant damage as it occurred near a town, whereas Holuhraun is in a remote area. The largest lava eruption in Iceland before Holuhraun was in Askja in 1875. As reported September 8, the lava at Holuhraun covers almost 19 square km (7 square miles), which is an area larger than Hafnarfjörður, a town of more than 27,000 inhabitants outside Reykjavík. Volcanologist Þorvaldur Þórðarson stated that the lava flow is not slowing down, progressing at a speed of 100 meters (328 feet) per hour. He predicts that it won’t progress further than 20 km but spread out after that. On Iceland Review’s Facebook page, you can see how the Holuhraun eruption compares to New York: the lava would now cover Manhattan to 53rd Street and its volume would frame the entire Empire State Building, except the tip of the antenna. More than Ever Attend Reykjavík Culture Night By Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir, August 25, 2014 The fireworks show, marked the end of a successful Reykjavík Culture Night. More people than ever, over 100,000, crowded Reykjavík city center on Saturday to participate in the Culture Night ce lebra t ions . The fes t i va l ’s organizers were thrilled. However, the police were rather busy after the organized program ended at midnight. “It was just wonderful and I’d like to thank everyone who was involved and made it so much fun,” director of Visit Reykjavík Einar

Bárðarson told ruv.is. A larger area than usual was closed for cars, resulting in an increased number of people traveling to the city center by public bus, bicycle or by foot. Nearly 1,100 drivers were fined for illegal parking. Iceland Offers to Map Ukraine’s Geothermal Heat By Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir Foreign Minister of Iceland Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson offered Iceland’s help in mapping Ukraine’s geothermal energy resources. A meeting discussed the collaboration of Icelandic and U k r a i n i a n a u t h o r i t i e s o n harnessing geothermal energy. Help from Icelandic experts in the field, along with that from specialists from other countries, such as Romania and Hungary, can prove important to Ukraine in determining the next steps. Gunnar added that harnessing geothermal energy, as a pure and stable resource, can prove valuable to Ukraine’s inhabitants, especially for heating purposes. Gold Search Continues in Iceland By Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir New foreign investors will take part in searching for gold in Iceland with added funding in cooperation with local company Melmi. The National Energy Authority has extended Melmir’s permit for searching for precious metals.The investors will contribute several hundred millions of ISK to research. In turn, they earn the right to be part of the production process, if gold is found in high enough quantities, according to Morgunblaðið’s sources.The new research permit is valid until 2016 and includes nine areas, such as Þorm óðsda lur va l le y near Reykjavík and Vatnsdalur valley in Northwest Iceland, fewer than were included in the permit which has now expired.

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The 8-page newsletter is published at the beginning of each month, ten months of the year. A newsletter is not printed in July or August. Material is gratefully received by the 20th of each month.

Editor & Publisher:

Margrét Bjarnason Amirault, Tel: 604-688-9082

ICCBC Mail: 6540 Thomas Street

Burnaby, BC V5B 4P9 E-mail: icc_of_bc@hotmail.com Distribution: Ruth and Norm Sigurdson

Labels: Elfa Reykdal

ICCBC INFORMATION LINE & ANSWERING MACHINE,

Tel: 604-515-1224 (remains the same)

Website: Icelandic Canadian Club of B.C.

www.inlofna.org/ICCBC/Welcome.html Email: icc_of_bc@hotmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Icelandic-

Canadian-Club-of-British-Columbia/190426084338925

Website: Icelandic National League: www.inlofna.org Icelandic Archives of BC: www.inlofna.org/IABC/Welcome.html

Icelandic Radio (6 stations): www.xnet.is Morgunblaðið: http://mbl.is Ströndin Internet Radio: www.inlofna.org/SIR

Honorary Consul General of Iceland for BC & Yukon,

Heather Alda Ireland: iceconsul@shaw.ca

LIBRARY & GENEALOGY The sorting of books in the Sólskin Library is

progressing. Books written by Icelanders in English

or translation are available in the Scandinavian

library upstairs.

Information regarding the Genealogy Centre can be

obtained from Gerri McDonald at 604-279-0420.

Icelandic Language CDs or Tapes

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

as well. Canadian Orders: CDs, 2 lesson sets $30 CAD/ USD;

tapes are also available. Postage & handling included.

US and Foreign Orders: International money order only.

Send your cheque or money order made out to:

Icelandic Canadian Club of B.C. 3776 Arbor Street, Burnaby, BC V5J 1T4

Tel: 604-433-6329 www.inlofna.org/ICCBC/Tape_Lessons.htm

September 2014

Icelandic Online Club; email: ioc@inlofna.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IcelandicOnlineClub

Oakridge Lutheran Church

585 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver

9:30 a.m., Sunday Morning Service English Joint Services

Coffee served every Sunday

Everyone is welcome!

SCANDINAVIAN CENTRE ACTIVITIES Website: www.scandinaviancentre.org (for more details)

E-mail address: info@scandinaviancentre.org, Telephone: 604-294-2777

Oct 8 (Wed) The Scandinavian Business Club’s monthly Dinner meeting. Dinner 7 pm, $25, Call Paul Andreassen, 604-484-5345 or Susan Lilholt, 604-948-8010.

Oct 10 (Fri) Scandinavian Seniors Lunch, 12 noon. There is a fee of $3 if you bring a plate of sandwiches, cakes or cookies to share, or $8 otherwise.

& & & &

Oct 4 & 5—Leif Erikson Festival: Focus on Norway See page 3 of newsletter.

Oct 10 (Fri) - Oktoberfest Dance. Doors open 6:30pm Food available from 7pm. Music by Wunderbar Band. Tickets $20 per person. Tickets without food included $15.

Choirs: Danish Tivoli Singers; Runeberg Choir; Scandinavian Dancers, Language classes—contact the office.

Viking Boat Munin: for information contact Marian Hammond 604-782-0639