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Vatnabyggð
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THE VATNABYGGÐ MEMORIAL STATUE
The statue, mounted in Centennial Park in Elfros, depicts a young couple in turn-of-the-century Icelandic dress. She is seated, knitting in the Icelandic style. He has his hand on her shoulder and is reading poetry to her. Models for the young couple are Icelanders from the area. The site, on the west end of the main street, includes a brief history of Icelandic pioneers and the names of about 350 Icelandic pioneers. Parking along the side of the road is permitted. There are picnic tables and a kiddies' playground. The monument is a $60,000 project, including the bronze statue and the information board. Hans Holtkamp, the sculptor, is a Saskatoon artist who has created a wide selection of pieces including the bronze of hockey great Gordie Howe and a Winnie the Pooh that has gone to the London Zoo. All the work was done by Saskatchewan craftspeople. In 2003, the Club commissioned local artist Kevin Meers from Wishart to create a three-panel mural for the "other" side of the information board. The mural was officially unveiled at the June 17 picnic. The first panel depicts Iceland before the emigration to Canada. The middle panel, described by most viewers as the serene section, is a wide expanse of water separating a volcano and the port of Quebec. A solitary steamer crosses the ocean. Just past the port, a train races towards the Vatnabyggð area. The final panel is a collage of Vatnabyggð then and now. . |
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The
Vatnabyggð Club memorial to Icelandic pioneers was
formally unveiled on July 11, 1998. It's so very Icelandic,
everyone says. "If I saw it anywhere, with no explanations,
I would know it was Icelandic," said one visitor from
Iceland. During his 1999 visit, President Olafur Grimsson
called it "perfect."