A Letter to the Readers of Rætur Fréttir/Roots News

By Bryndís Vigundsdóttir

On June 14th, 2025, 2,800 young men and women graduated with various degrees in learning and science from The University of Iceland (Háskóli Íslands). What a glorious day!

There have been quite a few articles in Rætur Fréttir/Roots News about the struggles with Nature and the hardship our nation lived with for centuries until the middle of the 20th century, when we began to see the light.  

I thought about you, the readers of Rætur Fréttir/Roots News and have witnessed the love you bear for the people of this island, your cousins, the Icelanders. I wanted to share with you some thoughts about the road we have walked from the days when we were among the poorest of all nations, under the heel of the Danish rule, until today. People now live well in this country, and there are days like June 14th when a huge number of young people graduate from the University of Iceland, which ranks among the world's best universities.1

Someone said a few years ago, “You have come a long way, baby!” The connection is quite different, though.

Photo Credit: Háskóli Íslands https://www.facebook.com/HaskoliIslands

Jón Atli Benediktsson, the rector of Háskóli Íslands addressed the students and their families and friends—in fact the nation—at the beginning of the ceremony. “You will now,” he said, “walk towards life having all the possibilities and reasons to be good and contributing sons and daughters of your country.” He encouraged the candidates to cultivate the attitude of being good and responsible citizens to their mother country and the world. 2   

Watching the young people, who were graduating, looking healthy, well-dressed and well fed with their families in the largest hall in all of Iceland, Laugardalshöll, which was packed with well-wishers, family and friends, a clear voice was talking to me: “Look, Woman, be utterly happy remembering the long road we have walked, when only the few rich families could send their sons away to be educated (the choices being theology and law!).”

When we finally said to the Danish oppressors of this nation, “Enough! Get out. From now on we are Icelandic Icelanders and not Danish Icelanders. And we will become a nation among nations.” There are still people in Denmark who have not forgiven us for taking our destiny into our own hands. 

From then on, we have stood up straight and regained our self-respect without bloodshed. We used the power of the word, of the pen and reasoning, and time and patience.

I often think of how we, the Icelandic nation, never gave in mentally to the Danish oppressors and always knew our worth. These are important points to know and remember when rulers obsessed with dictatorial wishes and governing methods are riding high.

Dear West-Icelandic friends! Our University of Iceland was established in 1911. Its beginnings were meagre. We had no riches, our only treasures—the manuscripts, now on the UNICEF heritage list—were all in Copenhagen. That is another long story not told here.   

We won back our freedom, our independence and self-respect. That happened through the power of the word, the power of the pen. We also got back a good portion of our manuscripts by telling and retelling our story. The Danes we were dealing with at that time were magnanimous and listened with both ears and heart. They decided to return a good portion of the manuscripts to Iceland. That was a beautiful day! 

How I wish that people who are dealing with oppressors have the courage and patience to fight them with the sword of the word, which I believe is the only way. 

With all good greetings, dear friends.

Bryndís

 _______________________

Sources

1 “Top 2000 Universities (2025): University of Iceland Ranking (2025)” in The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) [website]. Retrieved from https://cwur.org/2025/university-of-iceland.php : 27 Jun 2025.

2 "Ávarp rektors við brautskráningu kandídata í Laugardalshöll / Rector's address at the graduation of candidates in Laugardalshöll" 14 Jun 2025 in Háskóli Íslands [website]. Retrieved from: https://hi.is/frettir/avarp_rektors_vid_brautskraningu_kandidata_i_

laugardalsholl_1 : 30 Jun 2025.