President Halla Tómasdóttir is set to welcome students from 15 countries to Bessastaðir today as the University of Iceland’s International Summer School in Icelandic Language and Culture celebrates its 40th anniversary.
The reception marks four decades since the programme was first launched in 1986.
What’s the Story?
Original source: Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies
- President Halla Tómasdóttir is welcoming participants to the summer school’s 40th anniversary.
- Forty-nine students from 15 countries are attending this year’s programme.
- Anniversary events include a new podcast celebrating the programme’s history.
Four decades of study
This year’s course has attracted 49 students from Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, who have come to Iceland for four weeks to develop their Icelandic language skills while studying the country’s history, literature, culture, society and natural environment.
Organised by the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies and the University of Iceland’s School of Humanities, the International Summer School has introduced thousands of overseas students to Icelandic language and culture since it was established in 1986.
Among this year’s participants are six internationally known language-content creators who are helping promote interest in Icelandic to audiences around the world. Several have already begun learning the language and are documenting their experiences online.
The anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the summer, with organisers planning several commemorative events, including the release of a podcast exploring the history and impact of the programme.
The four-week course runs until July 22, after which participants will return to their home countries.
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