Centrally located in Confederation Park,one of the main locations of the festival, there was put up a traditional Lavvo, a teepee style tent used by the Sami. Inside one could sit down and warm up from the cold weather outside, while enjoying the captivating music of some of Norway’s most acclaimed Sami singers. In the Lavvo there were also storytellers, sharing Norwegian fairy tales and legends with children of all ages.
Award winning Sami artist Stina Fagertun and her musical companion Anita Barth- Jørgensen had come all the way from the Norwegian Arctic to share the traditional stories and music from Northern Norway with Winterlude participants. While learning about the Sami way of life, one could snuggle up in the Lavvo where reindeer hide covering the walls created a warm and cosy atmosphere, in stark contrast to the crisp winter air outside.
The Norwegian experience was completed with the opportunity to purchase heart –shaped, Norwegian waffles from a professional waffle maker right next to the Lavvo. Accompanied by a dash of sour cream and jam, this proved to be the perfect Winterlude-snack!
Also a part of Norway’s partnership with Winterlude, Confederation Park furthered featured an outdoor exhibit of Roald Amundsen’s own photos from the expeditions through the Northwest Passage and to the South Pole. In connection with this photo exhibit, the Embassy was recently co-hosting a seminar on Norway and Canada’s close links in the arctic, together with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Winterlude.
While in Canada, the Sami artists also made a trip to Montreal, where the Norwegian Community hosted an evening of storytelling for children (Northern Light Fairytales) as well as a performance for adults. “Arctic Surprise” highlighted the arctic way of life and the culture of the people in the North, and further included true stories about the brave explorers Amundsen and Nansen and the local hunters and fishermen who helped them along the way.