1

A Brief History

The Fjallkona is perhaps the most important symbol of Icelandic heritage and culture. The Fjallkona originates from the imagery of a poem Island written by Eggert Olafsson around 1750 and published in 1832. Olafsson characterizes Iceland as a woman who is adorned with pride and beauty:

To paraphrase:
Then I was in fullest flower
Dressed in gold and jewelry fine
Radiant with pride empowered
Touched by the rays of the sun.
My glacial skirts glistening elegantly,
Green attire and crystal bands
Clothed and adorned me.

One of the earliest renderings of this poetic image was a drawing by a German artist published in 1866 in a book of Icelandic folktales and symbols. The artist's image contained all the elements described in Olafsson's poem. In 1874, on the 1000th anniversary of the settlement of Iceland, this image of the Fjallkona was utilized to symbolize the motherland in a series of commemorative prints that were widely distributed across the country.

In 1924, the organizers of the Islendingadagurinn in Winnipeg, who were looking for a way to create more interest in the celebration, instituted the tradition of a woman serving as Fjallkona and presiding over the program. For the first two years, people who bought admission tickets to the Festival in advance, could vote for the Fjallkona from a slate of nominees. This practice was changed in 1926, when it was thought to be more fitting to select a woman to represent Icelandic culture and heritage. Later the selection process was modified once again to acknowledge long-standing community service and so since then women in their latter years have most often been chosen. The tradition of selecting a Fjallkona has been followed at every Festival since, with the exception of 1939 when, for one year, the Festival used the contest idea again. To be chosen the Fjallkona is deemed to be a great honour.

The Fjallkona has been a key part of the program at Icelandic Festivals in Washingon, Alberta and Manitoba. The tradition, inspired by a poem in Iceland, and born in Manitoba and Washingon, has come full circle. Iceland has adopted the Fjallkona tradition for their Independence Day ceremonies. A young actress is selected to be the Fjallkona and recite poetry as part of the ceremonies.This in itself is symbolic of the benefit of the cultural ties that exist between our two countries.

The Fjallkona's attire is drawn directly from the poem.

White dress - purity and integrity, glacial skirts
Lace veil - snowcapped mountains
Green cape - the Icelandic counryside
Gold crown - consisting of a star above a rising sun, contains the Icelandic Coat of Arms
Source - Fjallkonas of Islendingadagurinn Centennial Souvenir Edition, Icelandic National League