History of the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club of Calgary (LEIC)
By Alfreda Erickson Duffy
The history of the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club of Calgary (LEIC) was originally compiled by one of our founding members, Freda Abrahamson1, and is currently being updated by Gwen Mann.
“In 1971, two newcomers from Iceland, Margret Geppert and Asthildur Gisladottir
Mixa, went through the Calgary telephone book to find people of Icelandic origin. As a result, some 50 people met at the University of Calgary to discuss their heritage and explore the idea of forming a club. Dr. Clive Cardinal of the University greatly facilitated the early planning by making meeting space available on campus. The first executive consisted of Sigurjon (Sam) Austman (President), Art Einarson (Vice-President), Margret Geppert (Secretary), and Eugene Sigfusson (Treasurer). Ultimately, the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club was formally registered with the Government of Alberta on May 3, 1973.”
The Scandinavian Centre
LEIC's home is now part of the Scandinavian Centre. Plans began in 1972 among the Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish clubs to purchase a building that they could share. Together, they celebrated the grand opening on May 25, 1974.
Since then, our club has continued to play an active role in the Centre, and a member of
LEIC continues to sit on its board. The Scandinavian Centre's main fundraiser is the annual Bazaar, held in November. It continues to be a very popular community and city event, where our vínartertas are often among the first items to sell out.
Projects and Community Involvement
Over the years, LEIC has been involved in several important projects:
One of these was the preservation of the homestead of Stephan G. Stephanson, which was designated a Provincial Historic Site in 1975. Bjorgvin Sigurdson, an LEIC member, became active in launching this project, which remains a special part of LEIC's history and interests. Through the tireless efforts of the three Scandinavian clubs, the site was officially opened in 1982. It remains one of the most visited historic sites in Alberta.
Other projects included establishing a Relief Fund for the Westmann Islands following the volcanic eruption of 1973. In the 1980s and 1990s, LEIC supported poetry contests for children sponsored by the Alberta Government and held in Markerville. In 1985, with a government grant and the support of our members, a beautiful Fjallkona costume was completed. A recipe book followed in 1986, and another was published in 2021.
Annual Events and Traditions
Our traditional events have evolved over the years. Today, our annual schedule is filled with celebrations that bring together members of all ages.
In January, we hold our Annual Meeting, followed by a potluck dinner. This is also when we introduce new executive members and present our Honourary Memberships.
In March, we celebrate our Icelandic Carnival. When Natalie Wirth, our current president, was serving as vice-president, she introduced this idea. It has become a busy and much-loved day as we celebrate Bolludagur (Bun Day), Sprengidagur (Bursting Day), an Icelandic tradition normally celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and Öskudagur, Iceland's version of Halloween. With the Ulfraendi as the main attraction, the success of this children's event suggests that it will remain a permanent part of our annual calendar.
In April, we celebrate Sumardagurinn Fyrsti, or the Spring Feast.
Icelandic Independence Day is celebrated in June on the Saturday closest to June 17. The celebration brings together the Icelandic clubs from Calgary, Edmonton, and Markerville in Markerville. The highlight of the day is the crowning of the new Alberta Fjallkona.
Our Fall Feast is held in September or October. Sometime in October, there is also a vínarterta-making bee, when members come together to make enough vínartertas to sell at the Scandinavian Centre Bazaar. There is never enough!
Last year, a few of us even learned how to make rúllupylsa, adding another traditional Icelandic food to our repertoire.
To finish the year, our Yuletide event is held on the last Saturday in November. The children continue the tradition of singing carols and happily dancing around the Christmas tree, eagerly awaiting Santa's arrival.
Special Guests and Events
Over the years, LEIC has hosted many special guests, including Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who visited during her presidency in 1989. We have also hosted speakers at the Scandinavian Centre and the University of Calgary, as well as many of Iceland's leading choirs. The list of distinguished visitors and performers is far too long to record here.
INLofNA Conventions
LEIC has also had the honour of hosting three INLofNA conventions:
The first was held in Calgary in 1997 at the Village Park Inn. The second took place in 2008 at the Westin in Calgary. The most recent was held three years ago in Banff.
We were fortunate to have a smoke-free weekend for the Banff convention, as the wildfires of 2023 were among the most destructive recorded in Canadian and North American history, including the devastating fires that affected Alberta that May.
Celebrating 50 Years
In 2023, LEIC celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with a special display that travelled to several events and gave members and the wider community an opportunity to look back at the club's history and accomplishments.
Looking to the Future
Despite declining membership over the years, LEIC continues to maintain a busy schedule of events and activities. We are encouraged, however, by the recent interest shown by younger people who are purchasing memberships and becoming involved in our events.
This renewed interest gives us hope that the traditions, culture, language, food, music, and friendships that have sustained the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club for more than fifty years will continue for generations to come.
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Source
1 Abrahamson, Freda, and Gwen Mann, eds. c. 2001. Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club History. Calgary: Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club of Calgary. (Contact: https://inlofna.org/calgary for more information)
