August 17, 2025
My summer project
I haven’t mentioned this before, but I’m creating a coloring book for the museum, set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026. I’ve selected various photographs and scenes from the museum and have been transforming them into coloring book pages using just a pencil and a micron pen. This project has given me a unique connection with many of the images. By closely examining each photo, I’ve picked up on details I might have missed if I weren’t drawing them.

For example, one of my drawings features a little boy inside an old turf house. The scene is crowded with various objects, and next to the stove was an indistinguishable blob. When I zoomed in to figure out what to draw, I realized it was actually a cat! The cat must have moved just as the photo was taken, making it blur into obscurity. The boy’s sullen expression made me wonder what he might have been going through at the time, but there’s some comfort in knowing he had his furry companion nearby.

I just finished the last page today and am proud to say I completed the entire project with only one pencil, which is now a little under an inch long! Now, I’ll begin scanning each image to prepare for printing. Keep an eye out for the coloring book’s release next summer!

[...]

Being here has fostered a deep connection to this place. Having lived in Hawaii for the past decade, I’ve learned a great deal about Hawaiian culture. One concept I had heard of but never truly understood until coming to Iceland is the idea of a “sense of place.” For the Hawaiian people, this concept is vital—it represents a lifestyle deeply rooted in familial relationships with the land and all its features: the physical terrain, the stories tied to it, and those who lived there before. Where you come from and where your ancestors come from are central to your identity. I feel this profound “sense of place” here in Iceland. Connecting with the land and learning more about the stories of my ancestors has helped me gain greater insight into who I am. I’ve spoken a lot about connecting with others, but this trip has brought me just as much connection to myself, which has been truly priceless.

August 23, 2025
Last full day in Hofsós
On my last full day in Hófsos, I woke up early. Right after opening my eyes and looking out the window from my bed, I saw a blue sky with small pink clouds floating by as the sun began to rise. I got ready earlier than usual because we were scheduled to welcome another cruise ship into the harbor, which would double the population of Hófsos for the fourth time this summer. It was a gorgeous day; the sun was shining, and the bright blue sky was only interrupted by a few wispy clouds.

I took out my bagpipes and stood on the rocks by the harbor, welcoming the guests with some music. After about half an hour of playing, I was assigned to my group, which I would guide on a tour of the town. This time, I assisted a small group—just one older couple from London. They had some mobility limitations, so I took them on a shorter tour, but we talked a great deal about the exhibits, and they had all sorts of questions. They were lovely, inquisitive, and very appreciative. They felt fortunate to have a private tour, as it allowed them to ask more questions instead of getting lost in a crowd.

After most of the guests returned to the ship, the tour guides and I sat outside to enjoy the sunshine. I even started to sweat! As we soaked in the warmth and sipped our coffee, David and I reminisced about how much more confident we had become in our ability to guide tours since our first one. We have both learned a great deal since arriving and have found our rhythm in providing an excellent experience for our guests.

Once the cruise ship set off for its next destination, the other tour guides headed home, and David and I stayed at the museum to greet any guests who might visit. Valgeir joined me for a while to chat before he left to tend to some horse-related duties. He mentioned how quickly my time here has flown by. I expressed how special this internship opportunity has been and how much I’ve learned about my ancestors and myself. He gave me a long hug before he left to tend to his horses.

July 27, 2025
One Month in Hofsós
I can hardly believe it’s already been a month since I arrived in Hofsós! This place has been a true sanctuary for me, filled with peace, a deep connection to nature, and meaningful interactions with others — many of which have been wonderfully serendipitous. This past week has been full of adventure, quiet moments, delicious food, and new connections. Before diving into the week’s escapades, I’d like to take a moment to highlight the work I’ve been doing at the museum.

Connections made at Vesturfarasetrið
I’ve realized that I haven’t shared enough about my experiences working at the museum and what it truly means to me. In a previous post, I briefly touched on the museum’s purpose and provided details about each of its buildings; however, I didn’t delve into the day-to-day interactions that make this place so special. 

Some days are pretty slow, with only a handful of guests passing through, while others bring a steady stream of visitors eager to explore. It’s fascinating to see people from all corners of the globe come to visit us, including India, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Austria, England, Norway, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, the USA, Canada, and many more countries. Each visitor brings their unique perspective and stories, enriching our museum experience and reminding me of the importance of cultural exchange.

Among the many encounters I have had with travelers, some have particularly stood out to me. I am constantly reminded of the incredible interconnectedness in our universe, as there have been many instances where I have made wonderful connections with people, even in the far north, in the tiny town of Hofsós.

When guests arrive, I usually start by asking where they're traveling from, how long they'll be visiting, and what brings them to the museum. In return, they often inquire about my background and ask why I'm volunteering here. Many are surprised to learn that I'm a Western Icelander from Hawaii. Sharing these personal details often sparks engaging conversations, especially since many guests are excited to connect with someone from a place that holds cherished memories for them or who shares a common interest.

[...]

June 21, 2025
As this year's US Snorri Alumni Intern, I’ll be supporting new participants in the Snorri Program and volunteering at Vesturfarasetrið, the Icelandic Emigration Center in Hofsós. My days will be spent welcoming museum guests and helping both Icelanders and Western Icelanders trace their family histories - a rewarding way to connect with heritage and community. Hofsós itself is a charming northern village of fewer than 200 residents, perched on the edge of a fjord and steeped in history. I’ll be staying in Brimnes, the former home of renowned Icelandic-American poet Bill Holm - a cozy cottage with breathtaking views over the water.

July 6, 2025
First Week in Hofsós
The first week in Hofsós has been both eventful and peaceful. Volunteering at the museum is extra special for me, as the museum tells the story of Icelanders who left their homeland and headed west, including my own ancestors. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with my roots, uncover details about why my family left, and share their story with travelers from all over the world.

I’m joined by two other lovely Western Icelanders, Sydney from Edmonton and David from Indiana. Getting to know them has been an absolute pleasure! The first few days were spent familiarizing myself with the surroundings and absorbing as much information as possible at the museum. I’d visited once before during my Snorri adventure tour back in 2018, so there was a sense of familiarity, but I still needed to refresh my memory.

Brimnes 
I have the honor of staying in a charming cottage right on the fjord, just a three-minute walk from the museum. This house, called Brimnes, was once the summer residence of the renowned Icelandic-American author Bill Holm. He lived in Minnesota and bought the home here to spend summers in Iceland, where he found inspiration for his writing. He even wrote a book called The Windows of Brimnes, which I read before arriving. His wife still owns the property and kindly allows volunteers to stay here during the summer.

Diann Barbacci 
Winston Salem, NC 
Snorri Plus 2024 

Most Snorri and Snorri Plus participants are several generations removed from their Icelandic ancestors, descended from those thousands of Icelanders who emigrated across the Atlantic starting in the mid-19th century. In that regard, I’m a bit of an outlier, since I was born in Iceland and raised there to the age of 10. My Snorri journey began at my mom’s funeral in 2022. After the service, my cousin Magnea started talking about our great uncle Óli, who emigrated to Canada in 1911. As our family historian, Magnea had done some research in the Íslendingabók genealogy database and found that Óli departed Iceland with his wife and four children. This was all news to me, and we had little else to go on, but I promised her I would continue the search and find a living descendant of Óli’s in North America. That research led me to the Icelandic Roots database and the Snorri Programs.   

After moving to the US as a child, I spent many subsequent summers traveling back “home” with my mom, Alda, to visit Amma and Afi and the rest of the family. My American father, John Barbacci, was stationed in Iceland during World War II. A little history refresher may come in handy here: After the Nazis invaded Denmark and Norway, Britain invaded Iceland on May 10, 1940, to prevent a potential German occupation and secure a strategic location for British naval and air patrols. On June 16, 1941, with British troops needed elsewhere and the US having entered the war, the US military officially took over the occupation of Iceland.  

At the end of the war, having been in Iceland for a little over two years, Dad returned to Pennsylvania and quickly found work as an aircraft mechanic for Lockheed Airlines. That job took him to France for a year, and at the end of that year, he was asked if he would like to return to the NATO base in Iceland and continue working there. 

It was upon Dad’s return to Iceland that he met my mother, Alda. The establishment of the NATO base at Keflavík at the end of the war had brought commercial air travel to Iceland. American Airlines began service to Iceland, and my mother got a job as a waitress at the American Airlines café on base. That’s where she met my dad, who was a prolific coffee drinker! Dad later transitioned to working with the US Department of Defense as a civilian contractor.   

Mom and Dad were married and raised me and my siblings, all while living off base with my Icelandic grandparents in Ytri-Njarðvík. My grandfather was a highly respected fisherman in the community and did quite well for himself. My dad spent a total of 20 years in Iceland and assimilated well, even learning the language. My siblings and I attended the NATO school on base at Naval Air Station Keflavík, but Mom made sure we spoke Icelandic fluently – and kept it up after we moved to the US. ​