Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, high chieftain of Ásatrúarfélagið, the association of pagans in Iceland, handed a check for ISK 2 million (USD 16,000, EUR 12,000) to Minister of the Interior Ögmundur Jónasson and director of the Icelandic Coast Guard Georg Lárusson yesterday, on the occasion of Ásatrúarfélagið’s 40th anniversary.
The new Coast Guard cruiser Þór. Photo by Páll Kjartansson.
The donation is for the Coast Guard’s helicopter fund. All of the Coast Guard’s vessels and aircraft bear the names of Norse gods and goddesses.
Yesterday’s ceremony took place onboard the Coast Guard’s new cruiser Þór, Fréttablaðið reports.
The Coast Guard’s first cruiser was the steam vessel Óðinn, which arrived to the country in 1926.
A statement from Ásatrúarfélagið reads that the Icelandic Coast Guard is in charge of surveillance, search and rescue, has contributed to the safety of seafarers and protected the nation’s natural resources under difficult circumstances for decades, for which it is trusted and respected by all Icelanders.
Therefore, all members of Ásatrúarfélagið decided to make a donation of ISK 1,000 (USD 7.9, EUR 6.1) towards a helicopter fund for the Coast Guard, with no strings attached.
The fund is intended to be a platform for all Icelanders to contribute to the safety of the land and its people. The Coast Guard will set rules for the fund and the council of retired Coast Guard employees will serve as its patron.
Click here to read more about the new cruiser.
ESA
