The COVID-19 pandemic affects our ability to host a full in-person festival this year, but the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba will continue to celebrate Icelandic culture and heritage on August long weekend through a series of virtual, hybrid, and limited in-person events.
Whether you’re Icelandic by heritage, or Icelandic in spirit, Islendingadagurinn will 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 to suit everyone this year, in virtual/hybrid format, and through limited in-person events that comply with current public health orders,” says Icelandic Festival of Manitoba President, Jenna Boholij.
Following the success of last year’s virtual festival we will be releasing videos on Icelandic fashion, Icelandic heritage sites on Hecla Island and music videos by acclaimed Icelandic musician – Sin Fang
Hybrid events allow 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 virtual and hybrid offerings we are excited to welcome festival goers back to Gimli to celebrate with us in-person! We are working closely with local partners and authorities to ensure that community safety is a priority and that all events comply with current public health orders.
In-person events include the Fris-nok tournament, art show, Icelandic fashion show, beach sandcastle contest and traditional festival program. Festival-goers can enjoy live music at the Music on the Rooftop event, Saturday Nite at the Park and Alternative Folk Festival. Visit food and craft vendors at our outdoor market and enjoy a cold drink at Vingólf Beverage Gardens, located in the Gimli Harbour area.
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.
Click here for a full weekend schedule. Register for the festival e-newsletter and follow @icelandicfestival on social media to stay informed of the latest news
