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by Sharron Arksey Lögberg-Heimskringla began as print copy in 1886 using the Icelandic language only. Despite enduring changes and challenges, its community continues to be informed and entertained. Congratulations and thank you to all for staying the course of "connecting past and present." (Quote taken from the front page banner of the Lögberg-Heimskringla website.) On September 19, 2026, friends and supporters of Lögberg-Heimskringla (L-H) will gather in Winnipeg to celebr

By Brian Borgford Historical Fiction with an Emotional Connection: Comparisons and Contrasts Be Still the Water by Karen Emilson has something for everyone. It takes you through a full range of emotions over the first three quarters of the twentieth century: joy, sadness, grief, anger, love, hope, despair, acceptance, atonement, fear, trust, and acceptance. No matter who you are or what your background is, it would be hard not to connect with the wide range of characters

By Lee-Anne Fox I was pleasantly surprised that the programme for my third Iceland Noir revealed a number of Icelandic authors on the daytime panels. I admit to having mixed feelings about the changes the festival has seen over the years, particularly moving away from the Noir and crime element and focusing more on getting the big names in as headliners, for example, George RR Martin of Game of Thrones fame and Squid Game writer, Hwang Dong-Hyuk. I was thrilled to see som

by Shaune Jonasson This month, we are profiling a contemporary Icelandic author born on 17 December 1963, Jón Kalman Stefánsson. The Icelandic Roots Book Club has had the privilege of hosting Jón Kalman as the guest author to discuss his book Summer Light, Then Comes the Night in May 2024. In January 2026, the Icelandic Roots Book Club will meet to discuss the 2024 English translation of Your Absence Is Darkness . Jón Kalman Stefánsson Photo Credit: Reykjavík Grapevine, Vi

By Phyllis Smith We never know who we are going to meet when we travel, be it near of far. Phyllis tells us of their trip to Iceland and the people they met over dinner. They were talking with someone named Magnús . Here's what she had to say about that encounter... During our last trip to Iceland, we took the ferry over to the Westman Islands to stay for a day or two. It’s worth a visit. We did a tour around the Island on a zodiac. It’s a fabulous view of the area. We toure

By Gunnar Birgisson Photo Credit: Regína Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir; Guide to Iceland You will notice there are a lot of rocks in Iceland. There are pebbles and boulders and cliffs and everything in between. The rocks frequently dominate the view, what with the lack of forests, not to mention cities. But not all rocks are the same. Honestly, it’s hard to tell the difference, but some of those cliffs, outcroppings and other rock formations are considered by Icelanders to be elf c

An Icelandic movie review from Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025.

Interesting Icelanders Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval, artist

My mother once, after reading one of my short stories, said, “How did you know that?” “That” was a description of ice forming on rocks...

By Bryndís Víglundsdóttir Laxness Portrait by Einar Hákonarson Wikimedia Commons The Nobel laureate Halldór Kiljan Laxness is the...

Editor Note: There is a change in the usual timing for this event. It will be taking place at 1200 noon Central Time (DST) on October 2...

By Claudia Pétursson Claudia has enjoyed Hulda’s stories about her remarkable life and career for the past forty-two years, as she is...

by Jason Doctor, August 2025 Jason Doctor, a volunteer with Icelandic Roots, attended both the Deuce of August festivities in Mountain,...

Reviewed by Sharron Arksey Jonas Ebaneser is in a midlife crisis and when he discovers that his daughter is not biologically his, he...

by Gerry Stefanson Gerry is a member of the Icelandic Roots writing team. He has kindly shared some of his poetry published in his book...

Welcome to our Interesting Icelander series for 2025, with a focus on Icelandic Art and Culture. Our June profile explores the life and...

Poem by G. Stephanson "Always Find a Safe Harbour".

By Brian Borgford Welcome to our Interesting Icelander series for 2025 with a focus on Icelandic Art and Culture. Our May profile...

By Becky Byerly-Adams and Shaune Jonasson The Sun Voyager on the shores of Reykjavik. Summer is almost here!! It’s a season we all look...

By Rob Olason Starting this spring and concluding this fall, Claudia Pétursson is on an incredible journey. Claudia Pétursson and...