Kvæðamannafélagið Iðunn

The traditional ballad and poetry society Kvæðamannafélagið Iðunn was founded on 15 September 1929 at a meeting held in the Good Templars’ House, on the north side of the pond in Reykjavík, a little way to the west of the theatre Iðnó.  It has functioned without a break ever since, and is now one of the city’s oldest active societies.  From the outset, the society has been dedicated to the upholding, preservation and dissemination of Iceland’s ancient traditional poetry for coming generations.  Collection and recording of the live tradition have therefore been important parts in the society’s work.  Its archives contain sound recordings of rímur melodies and transcriptions of occasional verses and longer poems, and also published editions, manuscripts and of course the society’s own minutes and other records.  Part of these archives will be moved to Room G on the lower floor of Gerðuberg this winter, where it will be accessible for members of Iðunn and other interested parties. 

Meetings of the society will be held every month over the winter for the instruction and amusement of its members and their guests.  Chanters (or singers) of the traditional ballads (kvæðamenn) and improvisers of verse (hagyrðingar) make their contributions, reciting ballads and poems and giving talks on related subjects.  The middle section of each meeting is dedicated to choral performance in which everyone takes part, followed by a refreshment break for chat and social contact. 

The society’s fixed meetings take place on the first Friday of each month from October to May.  On the preceding Wednesday evening it holds “rehearsal evenings”, with training and instruction in the metrical structure of rímur.  These meetings are also used to rehearse the material that is to be performed at the next Friday meeting.  The society also meets for regular social events: an annual party (þorrablót) each winter and a trip each summer.