The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba "Islendingadagurinn"
107-94 1st Avenue R0C 1B0 Gimli, MB, Canada

Two of the most influential Icelanders in the 20th century made their marks primarily in North America, not Iceland one in the visual arts, the other in techn...ology and espionage. Holger Cahill, an arts curator and writer, oversaw the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration, which employed more than five thousand artists during the Great Depression and led to the creation of more than 100 community arts centers across the United States. Sir William Stephenson, best known by his codename Intrepid, was a flying ace, inventor, and spymaster whose efforts contributed to the Allied victory in World War II and whose story influenced Ian Fleming’s creation of the fictional spymaster James Bond. Both men overcame humble origins and childhood adversity to become major influencers on the world stage. Today's speaker is Stefan Jonasson, editor of Lögberg-Heimskringla, an English-language newspaper serving the Icelandic community in North America. Founded in 1886 in the Icelandic language, it is the oldest continuously published ethnic periodical in Canada. An ordained Unitarian minister, Stefan was a denominational executive for 24 years before switching careers to become a journalist. He is also president of the Icelandic National League of North America. A graduate of the University of Winnipeg, he earned the Governor General of Canada’s Gold Medal for the highest standing in a master’s degree, and he currently serves as vice chair of the university’s Board of Regents. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 and was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon in 2019.

Jón Ólafsson and His Great Vision of Icelanders Conquering America explores how Jón Ólafsson, the Icelandic adventurer, poet, editor and politician, had great... plans for moving the whole Icelandic nation to Alaska in 1875. He got so far as having a meeting with Ulysses S. Grant, the President of the USA, in order to convince him of giving Alaska to the Icelanders. Convincing the Icelanders took even more work. See more

Pétur Ásgeirsson, Ambassador of Iceland to Canada, will talk about two Icelandic Canadians who through exploration left their footprint in the history of the Icelandic nation as well as Canadian and American history.

Hear from Sigurdur Thorsteinsson, Blue Lagoon’s Chief Brand Officer since 1997 to learn more about wellness and the human-centered approach taken when designing the Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland.

Join us now and learn how to prepare Skillet Roasted Arctic Char, Lemon-Dill Potatoes, and The Selfoss cocktail with Boston’s own Chef Louis DiBiccari. Plus, if... you’re in Boston, be sure to grab The Selfoss cocktail to-go from the Create Gallery and Cocktail Lounge this weekend! Visit from November 19-22 and bring a #TasteofIceland home! See more