Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.11.2018, Blaðsíða 16

VISIT OUR WEBSITE LH-INC.CA
16 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • November 1 2018
Leif would be proud!
VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.
CANADIAN VETERANS RECEIVE
FREE ADMISSION TO THE
MANITOBA MUSEUM GALLERIES
NOVEMBER 1 – 11, 2018
Vikings of the First World War: Icelandic Canadians in Service
Come and explore the stories of Icelandic Canadians who
served as soldiers, nurses, and medics with the Canadian
Expeditionary Forces in Europe. In commemoration
of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World
War, the exhibition features medals, photographs, letters,
and other artifacts from Manitoban Battalions including
the 197th (Vikings of Canada) and the 223rd (Canadian
Scandinavians). It also includes a multimedia, multi-screen
video installation from the National Museum of Iceland.
Show military ID, Blue Cross card with veteran ID, or driver’s licence
(with a veteran plate number) for FREE ADMISSION to the Museum Galleries.
The Manitoba
Museum
Remembers
Canadian Scandinavians
Overseas Battalion Badge •
c. 1916 • Loan: Joe Martin
Manitoba Museum
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©
190 Rupert Street • Infoline: 204-943-3139
ManitobaMuseum.ca @ManitobaMuseum
Media Sponsor
Arni Thorsteinson and Susan Glass
Sponsored in part by
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Identification Discs
# 294770 • c. 1917 •
Loan: Joe Martin
© Manitoba Museum
The 31st Leif Eriksson International Festival
(LEIF) kicked off on Sunday, September
30th, at Mindekirken, the Memorial Church
of Norway, in Minneapolis. Alaina Felt carried in the
Icelandic flag at the 11:00 morning service, which
began with Rikke Dierssen-Morice, Honorary Consul
of Denmark in Minneapolis, bringing greetings and
talking about the recent visit to the Twin Cities by the
Danish ambassador to discuss the Denmark’s focus on
green initiatives in ecology and clean tech. The 23rd
Psalm was read in Danish and Swedish to bring the
international flavor of the festival. The Mindekirken
Choir provided the music for the service, and Swedish
and Danish treats were served as a light lunch.
During the week, there was a Norwegian jazz
concert by the Tord Gustavsen Trio at Mindekirken.
Tord’s latest album, The Other Side, was released in
August. A reception and meet-and-greet was held next
door at Norway House. Also, a sold-out crowd gathered
at the American Swedish Institute to hear David
Kruger, Ph.D., discuss Minnesota’s Viking myths and
anxieties related to religious and racial diversity. And,
if that weren’t enough, Gammelgården Immigrant
Heritage Museum in Scandia, MN, celebrated Swedish
Cinnamon Bun Day on October 4th.
The October 7th service featured the Honorary
Consul of Iceland, Katrín Sigurðardóttir, bringing
greetings from Iceland. She spoke of life circumstances
100 years ago as Iceland obtained its sovereignty
from Denmark. The 23rd Psalm was read in English,
Icelandic, and Finnish, with Hjördís Björg Gunnarsson
providing the Icelandic portion. Music was provided
by various entertainers from Norway: Kai Robert
Johansen on trumpet; Ellen Karine Lanne, vocal
soloist; and the Svingen Torador accordion band.
Pastor Janet Karvonen-Montgomery gave the sermon,
which focused on her travels around the world for her
dissertation regarding the issues and challenges facing
women pastors. Lunch followed the service, with the
Icelanders serving herring salad sandwiches and the
Finns providing pulla bread and Finnish candies.
During the week, a three-part series on rune
exploration with Kari Tauring kicked off. Kari illustrated
each of eight runes with song, artifacts, and storytelling.
Gammelgården held a very popular traditional three-
course Swedish coffee party on Saturday, October 13th.
Besides the coffee party, Saturday was the day for two
Nordic dinners: the lutefisk dinner sponsored by the
Norwegian Glee Club of Minneapolis and the Icelandic
cod dinner sponsored by the Icelandic American
Association of Minnesota.
October 14th brought a close to the festival with
the Norwegians and Saami teaming up to provide the
readings and lunch. John Xavier, vice-chair of U.S. and
Canada Saami, brought greetings and told of the small
but mighty Saami presence in North America. Pastor
Tim Peterson gave the sermon in Norwegian. Music
during the service was provided by Roberta Swedien,
providing a taste of the concert to come. The service
concluded with the recession of the Nordic flags from
the church. Following the luncheon, Roberta presented
“Nordic Miniatures,” which included readings and
music from the Nordic groups represented by LEIF.
As her material indicated, it was “an afternoon of
sheer cool.”
PHOTO: DIANNE O’KONSKI
Flag carriers: Nicholas Strand, Denmark; Gil Kinnunen, Finland; Alaina Felt, Iceland;
Einar Johansen, Norway; John Xavier, Saami; and Signe Fleugel, Sweden.
Dianne O’Konski
Minneapolis, MN