To commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations, Canada and Iceland are hosting a book exchange.
Yesterday afternoon, Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, Icelandic Minister of Culture and Business Affairs, presented a collection of Icelandic children’s books to Richard Mostyn, Yukon Community Services Minister at the Whitehorse Public Library.
Giving books is an integral part of Icelandic culture. It’s a tradition that dates back to the 13th century, according to Alfreðsdóttir.
“For Iceland, books are extremely important,” she said.
Alfreðsdóttir said books are important in keeping Icelandic culture, tradition and language alive.
“It’s great that we can celebrate with the knowledge exchange.”
This exchange of books in Yukon public libraries is part of several events between the two countries this year.
Representatives from Iceland will visit Nunavut and the Northwest Territories later this summer to showcase a collection of similar books. Canada’s Ambassador to Iceland, Hlynur Guðjónsson, donates Canadian-authored books to public libraries in Akureyri and Reykjavik, in northern Iceland.
Guðjónsson said that this exchange of books is significant for the embassy and the relations between the two countries since there are 101,795 people of Icelandic origin in Canada according to the 2016 census.
“We share literature, we share culture and common interests and often believe in democracy and sovereignty. So it’s very meaningful as a celebration,” he said.
As part of the Whitehorse Gift Exchange and Arctic Arts Summit, Ministers Alfreðsdóttir and Mostyn read an Icelandic children’s bookA puffin called Fido, to a group of preschoolers.
“Evil alcohol lover. Twitter junkie. Future teen idol. Reader. Food aficionado. Introvert. Coffee evangelist. Typical bacon enthusiast.”