Icelandic Hekla Club

08/22/2026

Norsk Høstfest Scandinavian Festival is now Fjord Folk Fest!

August 21 & 22, 2026
Minot, ND
www.FjordFolkFest.com

08/10/2026

More on the Billy Long, the new Ambassador from the United States to Iceland who has just begun his tenure.

08/10/2026

The new ambassador from the United States to Iceland has presented his credentials to Icelandic President, Halla Tómasdóttir.

08/05/2026

Former Minnesota resident, Snorri 2019 and Snorri Alumni Intern 2025, Karítas Hrundar Pálsdóttir is well-known for her books to assist Icelandic language learners. She has now released her first Novella, "Sögu Ríkari," which centers on two friends, Lovísa and Patricia, who travel together to Kyoto, Japan.
Read more in this new INLUS blog, with the link below.
https://inlus.org/karitas-hrundar-palsdottirs-first-novella-is-released/

08/04/2026

On August 29, 2026, Iceland will hold a referendum vote on whether to consider resuming discussions on the possibility of joining the European Union that were broken off in 2013.

In the following podcast, Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir discusses what the referendum is about and what it is not.

Thanks to Honorary Consul of Iceland to Minnesota and North Dakota, Jeannie Entenza, for this information. She also reminds Icelandic citizens in the U.S. that at that time, she has ballots available. Keep in mind that ballots will need to be delivered to Iceland by mail, or hand delivered prior to August 28, 2026. You may contact her directly at [email protected] .

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-trumps-chaos-pushing-iceland-towards-the-eu-prime/id1665265193?i=1000778053289

Podcast Episode · The Rest Is Politics: Leading · July 26 · 1h 1m

07/31/2026

A reminder that the next Lille Fredag Happy Hour will be held on
Thursday, August 6 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, at ASI, the American Swedish Institute.

Join us for the Lille Fredag happy hour for young adults in the Twin Cities with Nordic roots or connections. This gathering aims to bring people together, foster new friendships, and strengthen connections within the local Nordic community.

Hosted by Karvel Schram, an Icelandic native and former resident of Denmark, along with a group of friends, the event was created to connect people from across all the Nordic countries, celebrate shared heritage, and learn from one another’s unique traditions and experiences. Gathering will also help engage younger generations who may not yet be actively involved in Nordic organizations and create an accessible entry point into the broader community in the Twin Cities.

Enjoy music, the lawn game Kubb, and conversation in a relaxed setting in ASI’s courtyard. While anyone age 21 and older is welcome, the event is primarily focused on building community among adults in their mid-20s to mid-30s.

This event is part of the Lille Fredag Happy Hour Series:
Lille Fredag Happy Hour
August 6, 2026 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Lille Fredag Happy Hour
September 3, 2026 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Lille Fredag Happy Hour
October 1, 2026 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

https://asimn.org/events-calendar/lille-fredag-happy-hour-2/

Join us for the inaugural Lille Fredag happy hour for young adults in the Twin Cities with Nordic roots or...

07/25/2026

Congratulations to Kristina Visscher, Ph. D, Associate Professor and Co-Director of Civitan International Neuroimaging Laboratory at University of Alabama Birmingham, for her academic and professional achievements!

Kristina is the daughter of Helga and Pieter. In the following photos, she is the tallest with with glasses.

07/18/2026

It's Target USA Cup 2026 in Blaine! Final play continues this weekend, despite the heat and possible wildfire smoke. Several teams representing Iceland are in the final rounds this weekend including:
Afturelding Soccer Club located in Mosfellsbær, just outside Reykjavík
Male U16 Gold https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/51874/schedules?team=4140706
Male U 16 Bronze https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/51874/schedules?team=4140707
Male U 15 Silver https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/51874/schedules?team=4140704
Male U 15 Bronze
https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/51874/schedules?team=4140705

Haukur Soccer Club located in Hafnarfjörður, just outside of Reykjavík
Female U 16 Silver
https://system.gotsport.com/splash/12645/events/51874/schedules?team=4140649
Female U 15 Bronze
https://system.gotsport.com/splash/12645/events/51874/schedules?team=4140651

According to the City of Blaine website, "Target USA Cup
Target USA Cup is the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere and is held each year at the National Sports Center in Blaine, MN. USA Cup started with 69 teams in 1985. From the beginning, the tournament put an emphasis on attracting international teams to play against teams from the United States.
The tournament has grown since its humble beginnings to feature more than 1,200 teams each year. Over its history a team from every state in the United States has competed in USA Cup and 70 different countries have sent teams to Blaine to compete in USA Cup.
About 16,000 players compete each year in the USA Cup and 25,000 people per day visit the National Sports Center during the tournament run.
The estimated economic impact from visitors during the USA Cup is $28.5 million, local spending boosts the overall economic impact to $36.4 million."
https://www.blainemn.gov/2726/Target-USA-Cup