Introduction: Hjalmaklettur-Egilssaga

Abstract

Borgarbyggð is a municipality that is situated in a historically very interesting area. This area was the setting for the saga of the settler Skallagrim Kveldulfsson and the colorful life of the poet Egill Skallagrimsson; the Egilssaga is the most famous one.

Thousands of tourists come every year to famous historical places in Borgarfjordur, for example to Borg at Myrar and to Reykholt. Borgarfjorður is also the scene for other sagas, like the saga of Gunnlaugur the serpent-tongue, the saga of Björn Hitdælakappi and other famous sagas. This historical heritage is not only valuable for the people of the area but is also a strong attraction for both Icelandic tourists and people from abroad. In recent years, an ideas has been forming, both in Borgarbyggð's Education- and Cultural committee and at the Borgarfjorður Museum Centre, to establish a cultural and heritage practice related to the name of Egill Skallagrimsson. Also, the Borgarfjordur Museum Centre has been in contact with Snorrastofa in Reykholt. The Town Council is convinced that it is beneficial to develop and work with these ideas and will thus be helpful in making decisions regarding the project and regarding the raising of funds for further development.