Monday, January 21, 2013

Þorrablót 2013


Þorrablót (Thorrablot)
The ancient Viking month of Thorri, which begins on the first Friday after January 19th (the 13th week of winter), commemorating the Norse god of Thunder. The Vikings celebrated this mid-winter month with plenty of dancing, singing, drinking and merriment, as well as consuming as much of their traditional food as possible. During the month of Thorri, the traditional delicacies, called thorramatur, can once again be found on grocery store shelves, and the majority of the nation partakes at least once in an evening of the special cuisine.
Thorrablot was a sacrificial midwinter festival offered to the gods in pagan Iceland of the past. It was abolished during the Christianization of Iceland, but resurrected in the 19th century as a midwinter celebration that continues to be celebrated to this day.

thorramatur
On this occasion, locals come together to eat, drink and be merry. Customary, the menu consists of unusual culinary delicacies, known as thorramatur. These will include rotten shark’s meat (hákarl), boiled sheep’s head, (svið) and congealed sheep’s blood wrapped in a ram’s stomach (blóðmör)! This is traditionally washed down with some Brennivin - also known as Black Death – a potent schnapps made from potato and caraway.

After the Thorrablot dinner traditional songs, and storytelling takes place. Thorrablot in Utah will not be having the traditional drink known as Black Death.

Thorrablot 2013 sponsored by the Icelandic Association of Utah will be February 23rd, 2013 (last Saturday in February), at the Veterans Memorial Building in Spanish Fork, Utah, beginning at 6:00 p.m. For more information follow the Icelandic Association of Utah on facebook at Icelandic Association of Utah

Friday, January 18, 2013

Snorri Programs


The Snorri Program

Go to www.snorri.is to apply!

The Snorri Program 2013 deadline has been extended to Thursday January 24, 2013 –
The Snorri Program is an opportunity for young people (18-28) of Icelandic origin living in Canada and the United States of America, to discover the country, culture, nature and language of their ancestors, and to create and/or strengthen new bonds with relatives living in Iceland. The Snorri Program offers an exciting six-week adventure starting in mid June every year, until the end of July. The program offers a unique experience of the country, its nation, culture and nature.

The program has been running since 1999 and 182 young individuals have participated successfully. It is a co-operative assignment between the Nordic Association and the Icelandic National League in Iceland.

Would you like to...
·         Travel and learn something new?
·         Experience something completely different?
·         Meet people and make new friends?
·         Stay with Icelandic relatives?
·         Learn about Icelandic culture and language?
·         Travel to some of Iceland’s most exotic spots?
·         Volunteer in an Icelandic community?
·         Prepare yourself for be the biggest adventure of your life!



The Snorri Program 2013 deadline has been extended to Thursday January 24, 2013

Snorri Plus Program

2013 is a great year to travel to Iceland!
We have passion for your heritage and that's why we created Snorri Plus.

The program is both for people (30 and up) who have never been to Iceland and those who have been to Iceland once or more often. It is for individuals, couples or families with focus on your Icelandic roots, although people do not have Icelandic blood running through their veins may apply as well. We meet the needs of everyone. We focus on relatives, culture and nature and do our best to connect people with their Icelandic relatives.

The program consists of the same components as the Snorri Program but in two weeks rather than six. You will not only meet relatives, you will bond with other people from Canada and the United States who share the same background and interest in Iceland. You will also meet your Icelandic 'work colleagues' and/or get help with finding more information about your special interests or hobbies. Our focus is that our participants gain more from Snorri Plus than they would if they came as ordinary tourists.
Anyone living in Canada or the United States can apply for this exciting adventure. As long as you are over 30 (no age limit) and healthy you are eligible to participate. Applications will be accepted in the order they are received. Please note that all our programs are non-profit.

Departure from North America, August 14, 2013 (arrival Aug 15)
Departure from Iceland, August 28, 2013
Almost 100 people have participated in the Snorri Plus Program and they all highly recommend it.
One of Snorri Plus participants, Lin Floyd St. George, Utah, said. "People simply do not understand how fantastic this opportunity is!!" "As a participant in Snorri Plus in August 2011, I can say it fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine as a genealogist for over 50 years to walk on the land where some of my ancestors lived. A special part of the program was getting in touch with Icelandic cousins who shared the same heritage I do. It was like a giant family reunion in Reykjavik and in the Westman Islands. I learned so much of the history and culture of my ancestors plus touring and walking in the diverse landscape helped me to appreciate the land of fire and ice. Meeting and visiting with the President of Iceland was a special treat. I would recommend anyone interested in Iceland to check out Snorri Plus - it's well worth the time and money. Traveling alone from the United States to Iceland as a 71 year old, I became part of another family at Snorri Plus as our small group of participants bonded after spending two weeks together in classes, touring and partying.
It was so fun now I have over 2000 photos of this beautiful land to share with my family here. Thanks for a memorable experience."

Apply Now!
The Snorri Plus deadline is January 31, 2013.
Go to www.snorri.is to apply!