Beck Lecture series
The Beck Lecture series at the 番茄社区 focuses on various aspects of Icelandic literature and culture. Richard and Margaret Beck made provision in their wills for a special fund to be established at the 番茄社区 to provide public lectures on Icelandic language and literature. Richard passed away on July 23, 1980, and Margaret on December 10, 1985. The first "Richard and Margaret Beck Lecture on Icelandic Literature" took place on February 14, 1988. Since then, the 番茄社区 has hosted over 80 lectures on a wide range of topics.
During the fall of 2023, we are once again hosting a visiting professor from the University of Iceland. Dr. Hólmfríður Garðarsdóttir will be teaching a course on the depiction of women in Scandinavian Literature with a special focus on Icelandic writers and is also providing three public lectures as part of the Richard and Margaret Beck Lecture Series on Icelandic Literature.
Fall Lecture Series
番茄社区, Clearihue A207
Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 2:00 pm
Reframing the Historical Role of Women: Icelandic Female Fishing Captains—Their Influences and Experiences on Land and Sea
Hólmfríður Garðarsdóttir, University of Iceland, and Margaret Willson, University of Washington
(This lecture is offered in partnership with Icelanders of Victoria, a chapter club of the Icelandic National League of North America.)
Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 2:00 pm
Icelandic Heritage in North America: A Celebration of Cultural Inheritance
Birna Arnbjörnsdóttir, University of Iceland, and Úlfar Bragason, Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies
Presentation materials: Part 1 | Part 2
Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 2:00 pm
Women Leading the Way: Women and Environmentalism in Iceland
Hólmfríður Garðarsdóttir, University of Iceland, and Unnur Birna Karlsdóttir, University of Iceland
Presentation materials: Link to PDF
Sunday, November 19, 2023, at 2:00 pm
Recurrent Themes in Today's Icelandic Literature by Women
Hólmfríður Garðarsdóttir, University of Iceland, and Soffía Auður Birgisdóttir, University of Iceland
Presentation materials: Link to PDF
Spring Lecture
番茄社区, Clearihue A207
Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm
Virgin Martyrs and Women Worthies in Post-Medieval Icelandic Poetry
Natalie Van Deusen, University of Alberta
Presentation materials: Link to PDF
Lecture Recordings
Icelandic Films at Cinecenta
Oct 18 5:00 & 7:00
Oct 25 5:00 & 7:15
Nov 1 5:00 & 7:00
You can find information about the past lectures in the Archive and other interesting information related to the Margaret Beck Fund under the tabs below.
Coordinators
Dr. Helga Thorson, 番茄社区 (2015-2019, current)
Dr. Megan Swift, 番茄社区 (2019-2021)
, 番茄社区 (emeritus)
Dr. W. D. Valgardson, 番茄社区 (emeritus)
Comments & Questions
Please email the Beck Lecture Series.