Western Icelandic/Canadian ~Nordic Trails Cultural Weekend
14&15 February
MÍR Husið
Vatnsstíg 10
Reykjavík

I had seen it advertised in Morgunblaðið already, but after taking an entire
term of, "culture-this” and, "culture-that”, I felt I was all cultured out. 
From previous experience though, I knew that any event related to the names
Kent Lárus Björnsson and Vilmundur Kristjánsson would be filled with
pleasant surprises.  Under the guise of Canadian-Club volunteer, I set out
for the "Nordic Trails Cultural Weekend”.
My assistance was requested for set-up on thursday and as is generally my
way I had asked for directions four times, not written them down, and had
become lost somewhere between home and the ocean.  Undaunted, I had taken to
asking directions from people on the street.  Finally just before my
youthful enthusiasm died out a nice New Yorker assured me that I was in the
correct vacinity.  Not too long after that I found the MÍR house tucked
neatly away behind Kent’s Blazer.  The first surprise of this unpresumptuous
building was the recently renovated theatre.  It was, "quaint” but in the
best possible way.
On Friday evening the program began with an introduction from the Canadian
Ambassador to Iceland, Mr. Gerald Skinner.  The audience was then treated to
a writer’s workshop featuring Viður Hreinsson on Stefan G. Stefansson, Jonas
Þór on the migration of Icelanders to North America, and Hólmfríður
Tómasdóttir on the documentation of Western Icelandic Letters.  When the
audience seemed sufficiently educated on these topics they were invited to
browse the photo exhibits of both Kent Lárus and Vilmundur, the artwork of
Alice Olivia Clarke and the exhibits promoting Ruth Christie's visit, the
Snorri Programs, (masters of media) Lögberg-Heimskringla and North American/
Iceland travel.  Guests were then encouraged to support the Candian Club in
exchange for coffee and Shawn Bryant’s famous Nanaimo Bars.
        The Theatre Doors ThenOpened:
The screenings included films of North American Icelandic content ranging
from, "Iceland on the Prairies”, a 30 minute short from 1941, to Guy
Maddins, "Tales from the Gimli Hospital”.  One enthusiastic viewer ensures
me that the highlight of the evening was seeing both her favourite cousin
(David Fuller) and her favourite editor (Queen Lillian) in Jon Einarsson
Gustafsson’s film, "The Importance of Being Icelandic”.  Anna, a Dane of
Icelandic descent preferred, "Tales From the Gimli Hospital”, saying it was,
".. hillarious, well-made, and just phenomenal”.  I can’t argue with either
view as I have been looking forward to “Tales from the Gimli Hospital” since
the dawn of time and was still surprised at the quality and content of this
faux 20’s partially silent comedic cultural commentary.
        Saturday afternoon began with a childrens film and face painting followed
by a wonderful mix of family roots, hope, and odyssey.  The weekend wrapped
up with another Jon Einarsson Gustafsson film “Kanadiana”.
        All in all my trepidation was obviously unfounded and I hope the turnout of
70+ is enough incentive for Kent Lárus and Vilmundur to repeat this type of
event sometime soon.





~~~~~***Tricia Signý McKay***~~~~~