Icelandic Canadian Frón

 

A Winnipeg Chapter of the INL

 


EXECUTIVE:
  • President: Susan Hjalmarson
  • Vice President: Serena Goebel
  • Treasurer: Gunnvör Ásmundsson
  • Secretary: Ted Bettess


FRÓN ACTIVITIES: Year 2002

Language Classes are held from September to March. This year we were able to hold two classes. (Advanced and beginners)

Our annual June 17th Icelandic Independence Day Celebration co-hosted with the Jon Sigurdson Chapter of the IODE was held at the statue of Jon Sigurdsson on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislative Buildings followed by a reception hosted by Eidur Gudnasson at the Scandinavian Centre. Sunnukor from Iceland performed at the ceremony and at the reception.

In July, we took part in a display set up by the Scandinavian Centre at the Hjemkomst Festival in Fargo.

August was a very busy month. We set up a display at the festival in Gimli. August is also Folklorama month in Winnipeg and as usual we took part in the Scandinavian pavilion of Folklorama. This is an annual event and is a major undertaking for the members of the Icelandic Canadian Fron. Members of the club play a major role in organizing this event and participate in all facets of the event. We have representatives on the board, members in the stage show and many volunteers throughout the pavilion. Folklorama gives us an opportunity to showcase our Icelandic heritage in our cultural display in the pavilion. This event is visited by several thousand people from all over Canada and the United States each year and is held at the Scandinavian Centre.

In October we co-hosted, with Framfari, the Intenational Visit of Inga and Gurry. This major event was very successful and we were able to give our share of the profits from this event to the INL.

Frón ended the year by hosting a farewell party for Eiður and Eyglo.

FRÓN ACTIVITIES: Year 2003 to date:

Thorrablot in February was held at the Scandinavian Centre.

We hosted the New Iceland Youth Choir Apr.6th. This was a fundraising event for their upcoming trip to Iceland. It was a very successful event that managed to raise a substantial amount of money towards their trip.

On June17th-Icelandic Independence Day Celebration ,sponsored with the Jón Sigurðsson chapter IODE and Neil Bardal , the ceremony at The Manitoba Legislature and at The Forks ( to observe the Viking Saga blessed for its journey to Gimli ) , followed by a reception at Muddy Waters Restaurant.

On June 19th we hosted a reception for the Students of Western Icelandic History from Iceland - escorted by Jónas Þór their teacher and former editor of the L-H.

On June 21st. we helped organize the 1st annual women's run at Assiniboine Park. This was another successful event with about 70 participants.

Coming up in August is participation in The 3rd Annual Icelandic Open Gulf Tournament at Gimli Aug. 1st, a display at the Icelandic Festival Aug 3&4th, the Scandinavian Pavilion of Folklorama. This year's theme is "A JOURNEY THROUGH SCANDINAVIA "

Frón is also involved in all activities and events held at the Scandinavian Centre. As a contributing group of the Scandinavian Centre, Frón has representation on the Board of Directors of the Centre and is responsible for helping with the day-to-day operations of the Centre. This is our major responsibility and much of our time and efforts are devoted to keeping the Scandinavian Centre open and running smoothly. Many events are held at the Centre each year and Frón takes a major role in each of these events. They include an annual Viking Feast and dinner theatre in October, a Christmas market in November, a dinner theatre in March as well as weekly Friday Night Smorgs and Sunday Brunches.

Updated: July 2003

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