Esjan, Arborg Chapter
Board of Directors
President Signy McInnis
Vice President Jóel Friðfinnsson
Secretary Svava Simundsson
Treasurer Denise Stobert
ABOUT
Updated: May 2020
The Esjan Chapter forms an anchor around which Icelandic culture revolves in the Arborg area. The club is not large by any standards, but continues to provide financial support to a number of Icelandic Canadian cultural organizations and activities. Club members are involved in a number of important activities. We hold a Thorrablot in March, which is well attended despite the Manitoba cold weather.
We hold a Kvennahlaup, or Women’s walk, in June, and donate proceeds within the community. Esjan provides support in a small scholarship to a high school student from Arborg going on to university, and supports local area children attending Icelandic Camp near Gimli. We have also hosted numerous groups visiting the area from Iceland, including but not limited to choirs, farm tour groups, and Snorri West.
Esjan is looking forward to co-hosting a convention with the other Interlake clubs in the near future.
INTRODUCING ESJAN
The Esjan chapter of the I. N. L. was formed in Arborg, Manitoba in 1937, with 47 members. Esjan had it's roots in a literary organization, "Frodleikshvot" (a passion for learning) which was formed in this same area in 1908.
These two societies had much the same objectives, i.e. the preservation of Icelandic language and culture, and to make Icelandic literature available. It was natural that the two organizations should amalgamate, which they did in April of 1941. Esjan then assumed responsibility for the library, adding to the book collection each year.
Over the years Esjan members have undertaken various activities to further their goals. Icelandic language classes have been held from time to time, and in the early years, from 1944, members took part in poetry competitions, some of their material being published in Winnipeg weeklies, Logberg and Heimskringla, and some in a local paper called "Stormur" which was edited by Valdi Johannesson and printed and distributed by local Esjan members. During the fifties, annual competitions for young people reciting Icelandic poetry were popular. The chapter supported a youth choir, conducted by Johannes Palsson, accompanied by his sister, Lilja Martin.
In the winter of 1970-71, Icelandic classes were once again instituted, this time by Gudrun Gislason. Classes were held in her home on Saturday afternoons. Interest was keen and, with the aid of parents, the students staged a concert at the end of the term, highlighted by a play in Icelandic. Interest blossomed and eventually classes were moved into the regional schools at Arborg, Riverton and Gimli. This was supported by the department of education for several years.
At former meetings of Esjan, a variety program followed the regular agenda. This might consist of films, songs, reading of poetry (often original) and the age-old art of "kveda rimur" (chanting verses) and mimicry. Minutes of meetings were recorded in Icelandic until 1977. Today the membership numbers 33. It can be said of Esjan members that all of us understand Icelandic, and most read and write and are fluent in the language.
In recent years, the main focus of Esjan, besides that of promoting Icelandic culture, has been offering financial assistance to the weekly, "Logberg-Heimskringla", the Icelandic language camp at Gimli and the Icelandic chair at the University of Manitoba. The Gunnar Simundsson Memorial Scholarship was established, and a cairn has been raised in memory of Johann Magnus Bjarnason at Arnheidarstadir in Geysir. Esjan provided financial support for the Guttormur J. Guttormsson memorial cairn which was unveiled in Riverton in 1994.
Esjan always looks forward to hosting groups of visitors from Iceland. This summer was especially exciting with the visit of the men's choir "Heimir" from Skagafjordur. Esjan hosted the entire group to an evening meal after which Heimir sang in concert to a capacity crowd in the Arborg Community Hall.
In 1980, Esjan held it's first annual Thorrablot. This was very well received and has become a popular annual event.
By David Gislason: dgisla@mts.net