Welcome to another new year with Icelandic Roots Rætur Fréttir, your bi-weekly Roots News.
The past few years Icelandic Roots Outreach has focused on a specific theme for each. In recent years, we’ve explored the Settlement Era of Iceland and emigration to North America. Icelandic Roots is changing its focus this year.
For 2025, we will proudly profile Icelandic Art and Culture, both in Iceland and North America. This theme is fitting as Icelandic culture and traditions are directly influenced by its history and connection to nature. Everything is tied in some manner to their roots.
We will introduce individuals who have excelled in various art mediums, and those who have enriched Iceland’s culture. Augmenting the “who” is the “where”; watch for articles transporting you to where the art can be experienced or visited, or both.
Each month Rætur Fréttir profiles an “Interesting Icelander” born within that month. This series will continue for 2025 focusing on sculptors, painters, musicians, woodworkers, poets, writers, and those involved in textile arts, to name a few. This will only cover twelve persons of interest, whereas the Icelandic Roots database has many more talented and interesting individuals to learn about.
Other Outreach programs, such Samtal Hour, Book Club, Webinars/Seminars and Podcasts, will favor this focus as well. Our Event Calendar will be full of art and culture themed events. Through our newsletters you will also be informed about what is upcoming and how to join those events. Please note that some events are for Icelandic Roots members only.
A main event for IR Outreach is the once-a-year fundraiser. It begins on 17 June and runs until early August. The fundraiser, Heritage Under Foot, often referred to as the Fitness Challenge, will focus more on the cultural aspects of our theme. Those registered for this year’s trek will virtually visit many museums, heritage sites, festivals, theatres, monuments, and related venues along the route.
One area of interest introduced in 2024 was the tapestry of Njal’s Saga. You might recall the article Bringing the Saga Era to the Modern Era: Understanding the Njál Saga Tapestry written by Jason Doctor. He told us about the tapestry and its artists, including Kristín Range Gunnarsdóttir. The tapestry, completed in 2020, was “designed as a way for locals and visitors alike to engage with one of Iceland’s most important cultural texts.” Additionally, as an IR member, you may have seen the seminar about Njal’s Saga tapestry with Claudia Pétursson in March of 2024. This past Fall tapestry kits that illustrate elements of the saga were available for purchase. This amazing tapestry story will continue as a part of our 2025 theme.
Perhaps you have already experienced a specific art medium, or a museum, or a monument that impressed you. If so, tell us what drew you to this place or person and share your story with Outreach: outreach@icelandicroots.com
We hope you will get as much enjoyment from reading the art and culture stories as we enjoy bringing them to you. Join us as we discovery more of our past and present through Iceland’s art and culture.
