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This compilation from the first decade of Icelandic Roots Newsletter explores Icelandic emigration to the West.
The First Decade of Icelandic Roots
Compiled by Becky Byerly-Adams
This book, divided into eleven chapters was designed to fulfill Icelandic Roots´ mission to educate, preserve, and promote Icelandic heritage. The purpose of this book is to tell the story of Icelandic Roots by sharing our top 100 articles from 2013-2023
A boy named Mundi (Gudmundur) grew up in Iceland's wild Northwest region during the 1930s and 1940s. His family farm lies where the frigid Arctic meets Iceland's rugged mountains and fjords. Bryndís Viglundsdóttir retells Mundi´s stories and Gay Strandemo's drawings bring alive Mundi's adventures.
Thor, son of Odin and the Maiden Earth, protects Asgurdur the realm of the Norse gods and Midgardur where humanity resides. Thor dedicates his life to fight all evil forces bent on destroying those worlds.
Bryndís Víglundsdóttir rekindles the tales of Thor's exploits, and Gay Strandemo brings Thor's adventures to life.
Guðríður´s family sailed from Iceland to Greenland 1,000 years ago. She married and started a family in Vinland (Canada), but returned to Iceland to make a home at Glaumbær. Bryndís Víglundsdóttír adapted the story from the Saga of Erik the Red and the Vinland Sagas. Gay Strandemo illustrated her ancestor´s adventure.
Each Yuletide, the thirteen Jólasveinarnir, sons of two mountain trolls, leave their lair in Dimmuborgir's lava floes to make mischief in every home in Iceland. Children hang socks hoping for a treat, but may get a spud instead. Beware the Christmas Cat that night. Gay Strandemo's drawings renew these ancient stories.
Since the 14th century, every Yule season is highlighted with a visit from the Jolasveinarnir. These Yule Boys, the thirteen sons of their Grýla, a giant ogress, and Leppalúði their troll father, emerge from a cave in Dimmuborgir, their volcanic home. Each day of the Yule, one by one, they visit all the homes in Iceland, spreading mischief while gathering their parents' favorite foods. Their black Christmas cat makes its Christmas night prowl, then after the Yule, they vanish.
All books from Will Publishing Company in partnership of Icelandic Roots supports the work of this organization in celebrating Icelandic heritage and culture and linking Western Icelanders with their roots.
You can get your own copies of Thor, Mundi: Boy of Iceland's West Fjords, Guðríður´s Saga, or The Yule Boys from Will Publishing, a small press dedicated to share these Icelandic stories for your delight!
Guðríður Thornbjornsdóttir grew up in the tenth century, when her father, a trader, left Norway and settled in Iceland´s Snaellfellsness peninsula. Bryndís Víglundsdóttir tells how they joined Erik the Red on his plan to colonize Greenland. When Guðríður married Erik´s nephew, Karlsefni, they sailed to Vinland, in Newfoundland, Canada, and raised a family. The colony disbanded after a few years and they settled in Glaumbaer in Northern Iceland with their two sons. Gay Strandemo illustrates Guðríður´s adventures as told in the Saga of Erik the Red and the Vinland Saga.
In the 1930s, a family in the wild Ingjaldssandur peninsula of Iceland's northwestern fjords had a son named Gudmundur that his brothers called "Mundi." As he grew, Mundi helped with farm chores and spent his days as boys can, in a place where an average day may take an unpredictable turn. This story by Bryndís Víglundsdóttir tells Mundi´s tales of the beautifully remote West fjords of Iceland´s at the edge of the Arctic Circle. Gay Strandemo´s illustrations bring Mundi's adventures to life.
Son of Odinn and the Maiden Earth, Thor is the devoted protector of Asgurdur, the realm of the Norse gods, connected by the Rainbow Bridge to Midgurdur the world of humanity below. With his brother Heimdall, Thor guards these mythological lands from his scheming brother Loki, his miscreant children, powerful giants, and evil forces bent on destroying the lives of all that thrive on the mantle of Maiden Earth. His story is told by Bryndís Víglundsdóttir and colorfully illustrated by Gay Strandemo to retell many of the wondrous tales pulled from the deep mists of mythology where Thor protects Midgard with his life.
You can get your own copies of Mundi: Boy of Iceland's West Fjords, Guðríður´s Saga, or The Yule Boys from Will Publishing, a small press dedicated to share these Icelandic stories for your delight and an introduction into Icelandic culture!
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November 29, 2018
The following is a guest post by author, Gay Strandemo.
This is an article describing my adventure with the Yule Boys.
Growing up in a Nordic-American family in northern Minnesota gave me a love of the Yule season, which was celebrated with gusto. Both of my parents worked, so daycare consisted of my grandparents, who lived in an apartment above their business -- a men's clothing store. My grandfather was artistic and drew beautifully, and encouraged me to draw, so from a young age I did.
I work as a librarian, but I've always had an art project going as well. For a time I acted at a local experimental theater in Madison, Wis., and for a while I had a band that performed music I wrote and sang. While working at the public library, I also wrote and directed a series of plays for children each summer for the local school system and later at my public library every year for over a decade. These plays were usually based on international folktales -- always an interest of mine. It was when I was writing a play based on Scandinavian folktales that I came upon the story of the Yule boys and was captivated enough by the notion of these mischievous Jolasveinarnir to start the tradition of the Boys' visit to my own young children. Later, we began having holiday parties for friends and family to celebrate the Yule Boys' return every season. We've done this for many years -- it's always a great time!
While visiting the American-Scandinavian Foundation's building in New York City during December 2017, I overheard a gift shop worker respond to a phone inquiry by saying, "Thirteen what? No, no, we haven't any such thing like that here." That was when I figured that the story of the Yule Boys must be told, so that everyone can have fun celebrating them.
I hadn't drawn anything in ages, so, feeling trepidation, I first asked my husband and artist sister if they were interested in illustrating my written story. They were helpful, but ultimately, I realized that I had the strongest inspiration and motivation to tell this particular story. I set out for the fantastic art store, Artist & Craftsman Supply in Madison, Wisconsin, where I loaded up on every supply imaginable for bringing my vision to paper.
Once I began drawing -- I loved the task as I had as a child-- it felt as though the Yule Boys themselves were directing my choices for each of their profiles!
I've never been to Iceland, so I had to later amend a few details of my final drawings -- for instance, laying more snow, and darkening the skies to consider the time of year. One thing I did on purpose was creating the look of the Yule Boys to resemble teenage boys rather than old men -- it was just how I had always pictured them, so I went with that image.
I connected with Sunna Furstenau of the Icelandic Roots organization. She and Icelandic Roots Library intern Þordís Edda Guðjónsdóttir went over my text and corrected a few Icelandic spelling and grammar errors to make the text accurate and authentic. I was so grateful for their help. Sunna also was kind enough to show me how we were related through several Icelandic family connections that I did not know.
It has been a fun learning experience for my husband, the self-publisher of "The Yule Boys," and myself. We decided to go that route in order to really own the interpretation ourselves, and it has been a rewarding decision.
Gay is IR #I204687. If you are a supporting member of Icelandic Roots, you can find your relationships to Gay in the IR Database. Let her know if you are a close cousin!
Stories
