As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our ability to host a full in-person festival, the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba is planning to celebrate Icelandic culture and heritage this year through a series of virtual, hybrid, and potentially – limited in-person events.

Whether you’re Icelandic by heritage, or Icelandic in spirit, Islendingadagurinn will continue to connect people to Icelandic culture with the 132nd festival – “Icelandic at Heart / Íslenskt Innst Inni,” from July 30th to August 2nd, 2021.

“Islendingadagurinn will offer safe, fun, events and activities for everyone this year, in virtual/hybrid formats, and potentially through a handful of limited in-person events, provided that public health guidelines at the time allow us to safely do so,” says Icelandic Festival of Manitoba President, Jenna Boholij.

Following the success of last year’s virtual festival we will be continuing to produce culturally rich and educational videos, including content on Icelandic fashion, Icelandic music and Icelandic heritage sites.  

Hybrid events invite people to participate from anywhere in the world in the sandcastle contest (virtual category), lawn parade and the virtual 10 mile, 5 kilometre and 1 mile running races.

In addition to our virtual and hybrid offerings, pending public health guidelines on August long weekend, we are hopeful that we can safely host some limited in-person events. In addition to complying with provincial health orders, we are working closely with local partners and authorities to ensure that community safety is a priority. Possible events include the Fris-nok tournament, art show, Icelandic fashion show, beach sandcastle contest and traditional festival program.

The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba has been significantly impacted by the pandemic and we thank our sponsors, partners and donors who are instrumental in our success and sustainability. Sponsorship and donations in any amount are needed and appreciated and can be done through the festival website.

A full weekend schedule and a festival safety plan related to any in-person events will be released by early July. Register for the festival e-newsletter  and follow @icelandicfestival on social media to stay informed of the latest news.