Old Icelandic Myths and Sagas in Laxdalshús
An hour of story and conversation, with traditional food in Akureyri‘s oldest house
Valgerður H. Bjarnadóttir in the roles of the wise völva Heiður and Þórunn hyrna, viking and settler in Eyjafjörður
Performances in English
Saturday June 26th at 6 pm Þórunn hyrna (the Settler)
Sunday June 27th at 2 pm " "
" " at 6 pm Völuspá (The Prophecy)
Monday June 28th at 4 pm Þórunn hyrna
" " at 6 pm Völuspá
Admittance: IKR 1.500
Heiður the völva
Völuspá (The Sibyl's Vision) - Myths and Visions from the Ancient Norse PoemWhat did the Wise One tell Odin when he summoned her from the Underworld?
In Völuspá (the Sibyl's Vision) Odin, the All-Father of the Æsir gods, summons the ancient völva (sibyl) from her grave, when he in despair sees his world coming to an end. She looks back to the beginning of Time and recounts the great Saga to Odin, reminding him of his own responsibility for the situation. She prophecises Ragnarök, an end of this earth and his world, and the birth of another. In Laxdalshús, Valgerður in the role of the völva Heiður, recites parts from the poem, calls forth the ancient myths and legends as well as the völva‘s prophecy for the future, and relates them to modern reality and possibilities.
The Saga of Þórunn hyrna
Viking, Ancestress and Settler in Eyjafjörður - Who was she? Where did she come from? What was her religion? How has she affected today‘s culture?
Þórunn hyrna was the first woman to settle in this part of Iceland. She is best known as the wife of the Viking Helgi magri, and the sister of some of the best known settlers, as well as the mother of many a good man and woman. But what was her own Saga?
In Laxdalshús, Valgerður in the role of Þórunn, will tell that story and reflect on how Þórunn took part in laying the foundation for what today is the Icelandic culture and the self-image of the Icelanders.
