The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, also called Islendingadagurinn — meaning 'The Spirit of Iceland' — returned to Gimli this weekend after a pandemic hiatus, presenting a glimpse of the last thousand years of Iceland's history. The festival honours the Icelandic tradition of Alþingi, which means 'the thing' or 'allthing.' The festival also allows Canadians to appreciate Icelandic culture, Vanderburgh said, but it also celebrates Canadian heritage, and the two have some striking similarities. The strongman events were a way to bring back the traditional Viking elements of raw strength, he said. He was a part of the Viking Village, which showcased a traditional weapons display, cooking tent, glass bead making, spinning thread and woodworking.

Source: CBC News August 01, 2022 00:13 UTC