We celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the writer and poet Kristín Sigfúsdóttir (1876–1953) from Helgastaðir in Eyjafjörður.
The actress María Pálsdóttir will host the event together with Kristín Þóra, caretaker of Sigurhæðir.
Actors Hjalti Jónsson, Jón Benónýsson, Kolbrún Lilja Guðnadóttir, Sunna Borg, and Þuríður Jóna Schiöth will perform readings from Mother-in-Law (Tengdamamma), a play written by Kristín in 1920.
Sigrún Jóhannesdóttir will share a brief account of her memorable grandmother.
Kristín possessed an unusual inner strength and a firm conviction that she should make something of herself, that she had a purpose, a voice, and important messages to convey through her work—messages about equality, kindness, and human frailty. She had an extraordinary sensitivity to the emotions and circumstances of her characters, as well as a remarkable command of the Icelandic language.
She attended a travelling school for one winter but was otherwise self-educated. From her teenage years onward, she wrote, directed, and acted in her own plays, becoming a spark in the vibrant theatrical life of inner Eyjafjörður at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth. Kristín’s maternal uncle, Páll Jónsson Árdal, together with Matthías Jochumsson, was one of the principal driving forces behind theatre in Akureyri around the turn of the twentieth century.
Kristín’s plays were performed throughout Iceland for decades after 1920, and her novels, short stories, and poems strongly resonated with readers.
Kristín was also a prominent advocate for women’s rights, the life of every gathering, and a much-loved host during her years in Akureyri (1930–1953). She and her family lived at Sigurhæðir for a time (1936–1940).
During the first half of the twentieth century, Kristín was one of Iceland’s most popular writers. She received a state literary stipend from the Icelandic Parliament from around 1930 until her death in 1953. Afterwards, however, she largely faded from public memory or was partly pushed aside—but now she steps forward once again here at Sigurhæðir.
“But her works are waiting to be unearthed from oblivion and reassessed.”
— Ragnhildur Richter
The event is organized in collaboration with actress María Pálsdóttir, with assistance from Kristín’s descendants, and is financially supported by the Cultural Fund of Eyjafjarðarsveit, the Ministry of Culture, Higher Education and Innovation, the Municipality of Akureyri, and donations from the public.
No admission fee — everyone is welcome to Kristín’s Wish Hour.
The accompanying photograph was most likely taken by Jóhannes Pálmason, Kristín’s son. The photograph also features Jakobína Pálmadóttir on the right.