Last week the Department of Icelandic Language and Literature at the University of Manitoba with its forefront figure, Dr. Birna Bjarnadóttir, in collaboration with the University Centre of the Westfjords, held a three-day long event in Ísafjörður and its vicinity, named World Light - World Song. The event was held in connection with the visit of Birna Bjarnadóttir together with a group of Icelandic Field School students. This was the fourth year in a row that the University Centre welcomed a group of Icelandic students from the University of Manitoba.

The event was devoted to the connection between nature, society and literature. Nobel Prize winner Halldór Laxness‘ novel World Light, the poetry of poetess Halla Eyjólfsdóttir (1866-1937) and the music by the composer and medical doctor Sigvaldi Kaldalóns (1181-1946) were in particular focus.

On the first day A scenic one-day hike along one of the traditional Westfjord's riding and hiking trails was on the schedule, the Álftafjarðarheiði heath, which lies at 725 metres above sea level.

The next morning featured a literary symposium at Hamrar Music Hall, where writers, scholars and composers met. Among the lecturers were Dr. Gauti Kristmannsson, docent in Aesthetics end translations at the University of Iceland and Matthew Patton, a Canadian composer, as well as Chris Crocker, Andrew McGillivray, Becky Forsythe og Elin Thordarson, who are all graduate students from the Icelandic Department of the University of Manitoba.

After the symposium the participants met for dinner. A seafood buffet was served at the popular maritime restaurant ‛Tjöruhúsið‘ in Ísafjörður, a former storage from the 1780´s, now part of the Westfjords Heritage Museum. The guests were entertained by a choir of young female singers from Ísafjörður.

Later in the evening a concert featuring music by Sigvaldi Kaldalóns and music with lyrics by Halldór Laxness took place at Hamrar Music Hall. Performers were Eyjólfur Eyjólfsson, tenor and Ingunn Sturludóttir, mezzosoprano, accompanied by pianist Ástríður Alda Sigurðardóttir.

The last day was spent on a sailing trip with a stop in the island Vigur, where the visitors were introduced to the island's rich birdlife which it is well-known for, as well as for its beautiful nature, panoramic views and the charming old houses. Lunch was served in the so-called Viktoríuhús, where a lady called Viktoría resided during the latter part of the 1800‘s. Iceland´s smallest post office is to be found here, so many of the guests used the opportunity to send a postcard.

The event was truly a success and we hope to be able to offer a similar event next year, while the 2011 group of Icelandic Field School students stay here.