Canadian Nordic Society November 2010
Nordic News
240 Sparks Street, PO Box 55023, Ottawa, ON K1P 1A1
www.canadiannordicsociety.com
CNS 2010-2011 Dates to Remember
Speakers’ Series / Club Events
Thursday, November 25, 2010 - H.E. Else Berit Eikeland
Saturday, December 11, 2010 - Lucia
January 27, 2011 - Students on Ice
February, 2011- Scandinavian Architecture
Saturday, May 28th, 2011 - Boat cruise
Saturday, June 11, 2011- Midsummer concert
Luncheon Dates
December 6, 2010 Christmas Lunch
January 10, 2011
February 7, 2011
March 7, 2011
April 4, 2011
May 2, 2011
June 13, 2011
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
The 2010-2011 program of activities for the Canadian Nordic Society are well under way. To date, we have held three of our monthly luncheons. The next scheduled one will take place on Monday, December 6 at the Army Officers’ Mess which will be a special Christmas luncheon. Information on our luncheons can be found elsewhere in this Newsletter.
Speakers’ Series
Our first Speaker’s event, held on October 28, featured Eric Enno Tamm’s presentation on his book: The Horse that Leaps through Clouds. A Tale of Espionage, the Silk Road and the Rise of Modern China. A standing room crowd of approximately 80 people attended. This event was held in co-operation with the Canadian Friends of Finland. Petri Kruuti, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of Finland, also addressed the audience. Mr. Tamm sold some 24 copies of his book and had a number of additional orders from those attending. This is one of the most successful book events ever sponsored by CNS.
Lucia Christmas Celebration
Planning is well under way for our annual Lucia celebration which will take place on Saturday, December 11 at Christ Church Cathedral. Len Nylund, our Vice President, is heading the Lucia organizing committee (telephone: 613-829-8602). The event requires extensive planning and work so hopefully many of you should be considering how you might help. Schedules for Lucia practices are listed elsewhere in this Newsletter.
Membership
Membership in the Canadian Nordic Society is $20.00 a year for individuals, $30.00 for a family and $15.00 for students. Members receive updates on CNS activities such as our Speakers’ Series and our monthly Luncheons. It also allows for a reduced price for tickets to Lucia or having their children participate in the Lucia ceremony. Membership fees pay for the cost of the rental of the Army Officers’ Mess for our Speakers’ and other events. The membership year for a CNS member is from September 1 to August 31.
Since its inception in 1962, the Canadian Nordic Society has been an independent organization solely dependent on the support of its members; we receive no outside funding.
You will find a membership application / renewal form on the last page of this Newsletter.
Len Sillanpää
President
Canadian Nordic Society
CNS SPEAKERS’ SERIES
Norway’s High North Policy and Co-operation with Canada
Date: Thursday, November 25, 2010
Time: Arriving at 7:00 for a 7:30 p.m. start
Location: Army Officers’ Mess, 149 Somerset Street West (off Elgin Street), Ottawa
H.E. Else Berit Eikeland, Norway’s Ambassador to Canada, will give a presentation to CNS members on Norway’s current policies in the High Arctic and developing increased co-operation with Canada.
Ambassador Eikeland has served for more than 20 years in Norway’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a number of capacities. She has served abroad for Norway in Manila, San Francisco and for three years in London where she was Minister-Counsellor. In Norway, she has worked on trade and business development issues and, prior to her appointment to Canada, she was Director General of the Personnel Section. She has degrees from the University of Bergen and the BI Norwegian School of Management in Oslo. Else Berit Eikeland was appointed Norway’s Ambassador to Canada in 2009.
CNS Christmas Luncheon
Date: Monday, December 6, 2010
Location: Army Officers Mess, 149 Somerset Street West
This will be our Christmas luncheon consisting of turkey and other seasonal foods at a cost of $20.00 (includes gratuity/taxes). Please arrive by 11:45 am for 12:00 pm luncheon. Parking is not available at the Mess during daytime hours. Dress code requires jacket and tie, no jeans or jogging suits. RSVP: Please contact Tuula Bigras at 613-_424-4539, no later thanWednesday 1:00 pm, December 1. Pleasepay your meal to Tuula atthe Mess, drinks from the bar as usual. Note that these bookings are binding and late calls cannot be accepted.
Lucia
Date: Saturday, December 11, 2010
Time: Doors open at 6:00 pm
Location: Hall of Christ Church Cathedral, on Sparks Street, Ottawa
The annual Lucia Pageant begins at 7:00 pm sharp.
Doors will open at 6:00 pm for socializing and meeting friends.
Admission prices are:
Adult members of Canadian Nordic Society (18 & over) $10.00
Adult non-members $15.00
Membership to Canadian Nordic Society will be available at the door
Weask that members bring some baking to be served at the refreshment table, immediately after the procession. There will be dancing around the Christmas tree to some lively Scandinavian Christmas music during the course of the evening. Help from older children to supervise the younger children in safely handling the fish poles at the fish pond is appreciated.We welcome any volunteers to help set-up and decorate on that day, beginning at 3:00 pm. Please contact Lennart Nylund, Chairman, Lucia Committee, at 613-829-8602 or .
Lucia Procession Practices – Reminder
The first practice (November 14) for the Lucia event has been held. However, Annika Kidd and Mats Lindeberg would love to see more children participate. They have music, dresses and everything one would need to be in the Lucia pageant.
Sunday, November 21 - Carleton Heights Community Centre, 1665 Apeldoorn Ave. - 3 to 5 pm Sunday, November 28 - Carleton Heights Community Centre, 1665 Apeldoorn Ave. - 3 to 5 pm Saturday, December 4 - Christ Church Cathedral Hall, Sparks Street - 1:00 to 3:00 pm
If you have any questions, you can contact:
Mats Lindeberg 613-730-7611 Cell: 613-261-6681 or Annika Ericsson Kidd613-523-8860
Students on Ice
Date: January 2011
International Student Exchange Activities in the Arctic and Antarctic. More information about this event will be provided at a later date.
Presentation on Scandinavian Architecture by Donald Westwood
Date: February 2011
More Information about this event will be provided at a later date.
OTHER NORDIC ITEMS OF INTEREST
Coro Vivo Ottawa (Director Antonio Llaca) presents Meditatus
Dates & Times: Two performances, Friday November 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday November 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Orleans United Church, 1111 Orleans Blvd.
Jazz pieces for choir featuring the North American premiere of Jan Gunnar Hoff's Meditatus, a jazz mass. This work (winner of the prestigious Edvard Grieg prize) was first commissioned for a cathedral choir in Norway and brings together the traditional mass and various elements of rock and jazz. The choir will be accompanied by piano, guitar, sax, percussion and double bass. Additional choral works by American jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, and Venezuelan César A.Carillo will be performed a capella.Advance tickets will be available at Leading Note, CD Warehouse and Compact Music or by calling 613-841-3902. Adults-$20, Children 14 and under - free.
For more information check their website: www.corovivoottawa.ca
Swedish Playgroup
This started in the fall of last year. Some mothers thought it might be fun and beneficial for their little ones who are not yet 4 years old and thereforecan't go to Swedish school, to meet and play with children who have Swedish background andwho in some cases speak Swedish. The group started with 4 mothers and four kids, but has now grown to include sometimes up to 12 children with their mothers and sometimes fathers. We meet at someone's home once a month (often the first Saturday of the month) between 10:00-12:00. This year we have started to do a circle time when we sing, play and read a story, all in Swedish.We sometimes do a little craft as well. Afterwards the children play and we all enjoy some coffee and goodies. If you are interested in joining, you can contact Annika Ericsson Kidd at email: or phone: 613-523-8860
Svenska Skolan
They welcome children 4-14 years old. It is run in cooperation with Ottawa Carleton District School Board under their International Languages Program. The instructor is a native Swede, and a Swedish volunteer, usually a parent, always assists in the classroom. They meet every Saturday morning 9:30-12:00 during the school year at Hopewell Elementary School in Old Ottawa South. The focus is on learning to understand and speak Swedish while experiencing Swedish traditions and culture. This is done via singing, reading stories, doing crafts, and playing indoor and outdoor games. Registration usually takes place at Hopewell school the first or second Saturday in September, depending on when the normal school year begins. The only cost is a $10 activity fee requested by OCDSB. If you have any inquires about the program’s content contact: . There has been the opportunity for students to register in January too, however it is best to contact the OCDSB about this and future registrations at: Debasree Banerji, Education Officer, International Languages - Elementary and Secondary, Tel: (613) 239-2539, e mail: .
Svenska Klubben
This is a non-profit organization run by a Board of Directors which was started two years ago. Its main purpose is to support Svenska Skolan and its activities. However, as they have approximately 60 adult members of all ages, they arrange activities also for them. Every second Thursday of the month, they arrange a pub night. Once a month their Group 55+ (refers to ages 55 and up) meets in members’ homes to drink coffee and speak Swedish about Swedish events, books, films, etc. Every month of June adults and children celebrate ‘Midsommar’. The yearly membership fee is $10. Anybody who supports their goals and activities is welcome to become a member. For more info you can visit their website www.svenskaklubbenottawa, or contact the club president, Ingela Strömberg at .
25th European Union Film Festival
Worlds Apart (To verdener) - Director Niels Arden Oplev
Denmark - 108 minutes
Date: Sunday, November 21, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Auditorium, Library and Archives Canada
Synopsis: Sara is a teenager who lives with her family, who are Jehova's Witnesses. The family's devout reputation is questioned when the parents divorce as a consequence of the father's infidelity. One night at a party Sara meets Teis, an older boy who takes an interest in her. Teis is not a Witness, and their relationship is rejected by her father, but Sara falls in love and begins to doubt her faith. Facing ostracism from her faith and family, Sara must make the toughest choice of her young life. An explosive exploration of identity from the acclaimed director of FLAME & CITRON and the 2008 Danish EUFF entry, WE SHALL OVERCOME. English sub-titles.
Princess (Prinsessa) - Director Arto Halonen
Finland - 100 minutes
Date: Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Time: 7 pm (duration 100 minutes)
Location: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa
This will be followed by a reception hosted by the Embassy of Finland.
Synopsis: Diagnosed as a manic depressive with symptoms of schizophrenia, Anna Lappalainen claims to be a princess when brought into the hospital and does not want to be called by her own name. Her arrival kick starts a long battle between Lappalainen and the hospital staff over her identity and her right to dictate her own personality. Eventually the Kellokoski hospital becomes the Princess's castle, where Anna holds court bringing joy and healing to her surroundings. Directed by Arto Halonen Princess tells a story about a woman, judged to be ill by society, who heals and brings joy to people around her with her presence and personality. The story is based on a real person, the "Princess of Kellokoski" i.e. Anna Lappalainen (1896-1988), who spent over 50 years at Kellokoski Psychiatric Hospital. Her radiant charisma made her a legend and an intriguing phenomenon as she gained respect of her fellow patients and the hospital staff, as well as the surrounding village community. In 1995 she received her own Princess Monument on the grounds of Kellokoski Hospital. For more information contact Tel. 613 288 2233 for further information. Ticket prices: $12 for the general public; $8 for students, seniors, children under 15 and CFI members. English sub-titles.
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You, the Living (Du levande) - Director Roy Andersson
Sweden - 95 minutes
Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Auditorium, Library and Archives Canada
The inimitable, incomparable Roy Andersson returns with the follow-up to his controversial SONGS FROM THE SECOND FLOOR (2000), Sweden’s contribution to the 17th EUFF that prompted as many passionate critiques as it did rave reviews. YOU, THE LIVING continues his critical examination of life as we know it, where characters struggle through everyday mishaps, mourning and celebrating dreams and reality alike. Over the span of fifty vignettes, oddly hilarious events quickly collapse into their eventual and often heartbreaking conclusions that seem all too familiar. By turns absurdist, cruel and compassionate, YOU, THE LIVING serves to remind us that, despite our best efforts, “tomorrow is another day.” Utterly masterful. English sub-titles.
Letter to Swedish-related associations in Canada from the Swedish Ambassador
Ottawa, 1 November 2010
Let me introduce myself as the new Swedish Ambassador to Canada. I am replacing Ingrid Iremark, who has now taken over as our Consul General at Mariehamn on the Aaland Islands between Sweden and Finland.