Gunnar Helgason Apologizes to Logi Einarsson

Writer Gunnar Helgason has backed away from his harsh criticism of the government’s handling of Iceland’s Library Fund and apologized to Culture Minister Logi Einarsson.

Helgason said he had written an angry post after the budget proposal was presented. He said he told the culture minister to “go to hell” and told the prime minister and foreign minister to be ashamed of themselves. After appearing on Bylgjan radio the next morning, he said he was calmer and explained the rudeness in his response.

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Yesterday I wrote an angry post about the government's handling of the Library Fund. I told the honorable culture minister to go to hell. I told the prime minister and foreign minister to be ashamed of themselves.

He said the outburst was intended to provoke action because children’s book authors had repeatedly needed to fight for the Library Fund, their copyrights and the protection of property rights. The government’s indication that additional funding could be available prompted him to change course.

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It can be said that this is a peace pipe from the government. Perhaps it was put together quickly this morning, or perhaps it was already in the works and only needed to be presented. Either way, an outstretched hand has appeared, and I do not intend to slap it.

Helgason referred to an announcement that 150 million Icelandic krónur would be allocated to strengthen the Icelandic language. He described it as a “peace pipe” from the government and said that, whether the offer had been prepared quickly or had already been in the works, it represented an outstretched hand he did not intend to reject.

“That is why I want to apologize for my rudeness,” he wrote. “I especially apologize to Logi. Logi Einarsson, I am sorry.”

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That is why I want to apologize for my rudeness. I especially apologize to Logi. Logi Einarsson, I am sorry.