2 minute read
Snow White: The adventure lives on in Siglufjordur
CULTURE History
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Snow White was born in Siglufjordur The Disney character’s surprising connection to a North Iceland town.
TEXT: Hlynur F. Thormodsson PHOTOS: Courtesy of Anna Hulda Juliusdottir
When I arrive in Siglufjordur, the town has an air of enchantment about it. The small, narrow fjord is surrounded by steep mountains, and its energy is tangible.
Only around 1,200 people live here, yet the town has a vibrant cultural life. Hjarta baejarins is a family-run company specialising in design, handicrafts, yarn and gift items. Its latest draw is projects related to fairytale figure Snow White, or more specifically, the model for Disney’s 1937 animation. “The story goes that Snow White was born in Siglufjordur”, reveals Anna Hulda Juliusdottir, co-owner of Hjarta baejarins.
Disney’s Snow White was created by Canadian illustrator Charles Thorson. He was born in Winnipeg but both his parents were Icelandic immigrants. “The model for Snow White in Disney’s famous animated feature film was a young woman named Kristin Solvadottir, who was born in Siglufjordur in 1912. She studied English in Canada and she and Charles were engaged to be married, but then Kristin got cold feet and moved back to Iceland. Not many people know this story and we are delighted to raise awareness of it and connect Siglufjordur to this world-famous fairytale character”, says Anna Hulda.
In the Hjarta baejarins store at Adalgata 28, speciality products related to Snow White are on sale, and in one of its windows a stunning Snow White dress is on display. “Almost every tourist stops by the window to admire and photograph the dress in the window”, laughs Anna Hulda. “We have all sorts of ideas as to how we can promote the story better. For example, 39 cruisers with nearly 8,000 travellers are expected to dock in Siglufjordur this summer and Snow White might very well welcome them at the pier. And everyone who visits us will be able to meet her.”
01 Kristin Solvadottir and Charles Thorson’s caricature of her as a princess, along with Anna Hulda’s sketch of Snow White. 02 Anna Hulda as Snow White on Iceland’s
National Day.
GETTING THERE:
Siglufjordur
Akureyri
Reykjavik
Air Iceland Connect flies daily to Akureyri in only 35 minutes, and it takes one hour to drive to Siglufjordur from there. Bus connections are also available.
