West Icelanders rever the Icelandic language and the culture
Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir celebrated Icelander's Day in Gimli in Canada. Photo/Leif Norman
Tens of thousands gathered last weekend in Gimli, Canada to celebrate the annual Icelanders' Day, which has long been an important event for Icelanders in the West.
About fifteen thousand Icelanders fled the country in the early 19th century and settled in Canada and the United States. Now it is estimated that the descendants of these people number about fifty thousand people.
Minister of Justice Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir attended the festival and describes how she met many people with Icelandic roots and says it is a unique experience to talk to people who are in their twenties but still speak flawless Icelandic despite having only been to Iceland once.
Remain loyal to Iceland
"It is extremely rich in people who are descendants of Icelanders who remain loyal to Iceland and maintain the ties," she says.
"These people are learning Icelandic and are putting effort into it; I met some West Icelanders who are in their forties and speak perfect Icelandic, even though they live in Canada," Hafsteinsdóttir says, adding that she found it interesting to see how many West Icelanders seem to place more emphasis on maintaining their language and culture than many people in Iceland.
