Gutiormur .l. Guttormsson

early days, to listen to him recite his poetry, of
this type. Some of these selections were "Half—
danorskeid” (The Race of Holtdani where a
weli known farmer, by this name, especially
fleet of foot, went running from Sandy Bar to
Winnipeg, on some important errand, letting no
obstacle detain him on the way. Another poem
“The Winnipeg lcelonder," half English, halt ice-
iandic, both ianguages distorted, causing much
merriment except to the subiect. The younger
generation memorized this poem, and recited it
fluently.

Visiting an elderly lady, busy at her spinning
wheel, but happily singing “The Toast to the
Fords" to the lively tune "Hvad er svo glatt"
[What is as Enioyable). The patriotic poem,
"Sveitin min," {My Community] has to be trans-
lated to do it justice, and we hope that in the
future there will be many translations to open
up this poetic wealth. "The lcelandic require‘
ments of patterns both rhyme and tone colour
are subtle and complex beyond anything of
which the English is capable" has been stated
and truly applies to many of Gouttarmsson's
poems although they may vary in quality.

In i938, the government of lceland invited
the poet to visit his native land. Then he was
made Grand Knight of the Order of the Falcon
— the highest honour bestowed by that country.
Ten years later he was the recipient of the Silver
Star.

In 1963, Guttormsson's second visit, at the
age of 85 years, a Gold Medal was presented
to him for his literary achievements, purity of
language and perfect diction. That year he was
made Honourary Life Member of the lcelandic
League and Icelandic Canadian Club.

Those of his writings that have been pub-
lished are:

i. Jon Ausfirdingur (John of the East
Fjords)  i920
Bondadottir {Farmer's daughter) .... .. i920

. Gamon og Alvaro [Jest and Earnest) 1930

. Tiu Leikrit [Ten Plays}   i930

. Honongs Flugur (Honey Bees)  i944
Urvalsliod (Selected Poems} ............ ._ i948

. Subterranean Passage .................... .. t957

. Kanada Thistilt (Canada Thistle} .... ,. 195?

Very few of Guttormsson's poems have been
translated to date, but this would be most de-
sirable if it can be well done, to open up this
wealth to other nationalities —— and thus honour
our poet.

Guttormsson, being musical like his parents,
organized Bands (orchestras) acting as Band
Master or playing some of the instruments.
Poetry and music are suppOSed to be related
talents -—— in this case, how true!

On November 23, 1966, after a brief illness,
Guttormur J. Guttormsson passed away at the
age of 88 years, and was laid to rest in the
Riverton Cemetery, beside his wife who pre-
deceased him by a few years.

Thus they rest in the settlement where they
had known sorrow and icy, and where they had
lived for over 50 years.

Long may the poet's memory live in the hearts
of the lcelandic people and those who have
knowledge of his work, ail of whom now ioin in
paying tribute to his memory.

SVEINN THORV ALDSON, M.B.E.
I873 .. 1949

Sveinn Thorv aldson came to Canada with his
parents at the age of i5 years {1887), at the
age of 17, this gifted young man entered public
school at Gimli, when it opened (1889) and ap-
plied himseif to his studies in such a way that
he was soon ready to attend the Winnipeg Col-
legiate, and quikly qualified as a teacher. He
remained in the teaching profession for 4 years.
Then he enrolled at a dairy school in Winnipeg,
and after completing this course opened the first
creamery in the district, operated at Gimli, as
well as opening a general store there. in 1906,
the plant was moved to Riverton, as it was more
centtral, and more dairy farmers were in the
northern area.

Around this time, a company, under the name
of Sigurdsson-Thorv aldson (30., Ltd, was
formed. Mr. J. Sigurdsson, brother of Stefan Sig-
urdsson, general merchant at Hnausa, as the new