Bill Holm's Toast to Lestrarfélagið

Bill Holm was the featured author at the inaugural meeting of Lestrarfélagið in 1996.  When the society gathered for its 100th evening, Bill graciously sent a toast to commemorate the milestone:


Skál to the Lestrarfélag for 100 nights of vinarterta and poetry to warm the soul of frosty Winnipeg.

That century of books follows you all like a bride's train—an emblem of honor.  An Icelander is made and revealed not by DNA nor by fish products, aluminum or investment schemes, but by the love of sentences—tales, poems, dramas, essays, whatever can be made with words on long winter nights.  The Lestrarfelag has honored all Icelanders—indeed all humans—by performing the greatest act of homage: reading.  So on this cold Minneota night, Marcy and Bill lift a glass to skál and congratulate you on your hundred nights.  Enjoy 100 more.

— Bill Holm