Successful celebration of Icelandic language day

Yesterday evening, around 80 people gathered at the Scandinavian Cultural Centre in Winnipeg to celebrate Icelandic language day. It was an enjoyable evening where the focus was on opportunities open to young Canadians to learn about Icelandic culture, and by association the Icelandic language. There were captivating presentations given by people that have participated in the Snorri Programs, which have been taking place since 1999 and more than 500 North Americans of Icelandic descent have visited Iceland as part of the programs. The Consul General, Vilhjálmur Wiium, gave an overview of the youth mobility agreement between Canada and Iceland, which provides excellent opportunities for Canadian youth - between 18 and 30 years old - to get a residence permit in Iceland for up to two years. The librarian at the Icelandic Special Collections at the University of Manitoba, Katrín Níelsdóttir, gave an intriguing talk about the books and other resources related to Iceland and the Icelandic language that can be found in the Special Collections and how this material can be accessed through the various community libraries in Canada. According to Katrín there is no excuse not to start studying Icelandic. 

Let us not forget the excellent performance of the Sólskríkjan Choir that sang Icelandic songs beautifully in-between presentations. This included the Icelandic national anthem, Litla flugan, Maístjarnan, and of course everyone's favourite - Á Sprengisandi, or Ríðum, ríðum as it is known on the western side of the Atlantic.