Monday, December 19, 2005

Yuletide: Looking for My Icelandic Roots

An Icelandic Christmas: Sharing the Traditions Рождество по-исландски: В Поиске Моих Исландских Корней

I found that Icelandic people I met yesterday at the Icelandic Christmas celebration at Spadina Historic House Museum are pretty, simple and warm as their Icelandic wool sweaters.

They not only served traditional food offerings but also set up a demonstration for the leaf-bread preparation. I’ve heard a comment that the leaf-bread dough should be rolled as thinly as possible – so you can read a newspaper through it.

It gave me an idea that it is worth to go to Iceland and enjoy its food as well as scenic beauty and hot springs.

Upstairs I explored a piece of Badstofa, typical Icelandic farmhouse with artifacts and a setup of a family getting ready for a long trip to Canada. I was impressed by children toys: shells, animal’s horns and bones that designated to be “objects” like cows, sheep or dogs.

It also gave me an idea that the Icelandic people are widely creative naturally. They called this principle of luxury from poverty with deep roots in the country’s geography and history.


LINKS:

Letter From Estonia: E-stonia
A Land of Northern Lights, Cybercafes and the Flat Tax
"What are the best societies to live in?'" asked Mr. Savisaar's top adviser, Heido Vitsur. "The best societies in the world to live in are the Nordic societies. We have to move in that direction."
Published: December 21, 2005
by Mark Landler
The New York Times

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Icelandic Christmas: В Поиске Моих Исландских Корней


В Поиске Моих Исландских Корней

Looking for My Icelandic Roots


Я нашел, что исландцы, которых я встретил вчера на праздновании Рождества по-исландски в Историческом Музее на Спадайне, симпатичны, просты и теплы как их исландские шерстяные свитеры.

Они не только предложили попробовать традиционное праздничное угощение, но также и устроили демонстрацию приготовления исландского подобия хвороста. Я услышал комментарий, что тесто нужно раскатать настолько тонко насколько это возможно чтобы через него можно было прочитать газету.

Я решил что это стоит того, чтобы поехать в Исландию поесть исландской еды и насладиться красотой ее природы и горячими источниками.

Нам продемонстрировали и часть типичного исландского сельского дома (Бадстофа) со сценками подготовки семьи к долгой поездке в Канаду. Я был поражен игрушками для детей: ракушками, рогами и костями животных, которые персонифицируются в реальные объекты такие как коровы, овцы или собаки.

Это также дало мне идею, что исландцы естественно склонны к творчеству. Они назвали это “принципом роскоши от бедности” или “голь на выдумки хитра” с глубокими корнями в географии страны и ее истории.

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Saturday, December 17, 2005

Spadina House: Christmas in Icelandic Style

I am dreaming of an Icelandic Christmas & it's coming tomorrow!

To Toronto via Reykjavik, Christmas Icelandic style
Sharing our Traditions: Cultural Holidays in Toronto

Where: Spadina Historic House and Gardens (Spadina Museum)
285 Spadina Rd.

When: Sunday, December 18, 2005 12:00pm

Price: Free, Children under 5; $4.75 Youth - $6.75 Adult; $5.75 Seniors/Teens;

Phone: 416-338-3888

Spadina Museum: Icelandic Christmas: December 18 – Noon to 5 p.m.

SPADINA MUSEUM: HISTORIC HOUSE & GARDENS

416-392-6910

spadina@toronto.ca

Address: 285 Spadina Road, next door to Casa Loma, a few blocks south of St. Clair Avenue
Hours: Tues to Fri.: Noon to 4 p.m., Sat. & Sun.: Noon to 5 p.m..
Holiday Season Admission: Adults: $6.75; Seniors & Youth: $5.75; Children: $4.75.
Paid parking next door at Casa Loma

Spadina Museum is dressed up for the holidays with traditional greenery, red bows and poinsettia everywhere.
Make sure you ask to see the moosehead!
Tours of this lovely mansion highlight the Christmas traditions of the Austin family in Toronto, circa 1900.
Enjoy cider and a Christmas treat from the kitchen, included with holiday season admission.

Family Sundays!
Sharing our Traditions: Cultural Celebrations in Toronto
Featuring: The Consulate of Iceland and the Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto
Sundays: December 4, 11 & 18 – Noon to 5 p.m.
Spadina Museum is proud to present our holiday season guests, the Consulate of Iceland and the Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto. Enjoy a variety of activities that compare and contrast the Edwardian Christmas traditions of 1900 Toronto with those of Iceland 100 years ago. Each Sunday both cultures are featured in ongoing kitchen demonstrations offering a variety of foods and at the craft table where visitors can make traditional Christmas tree ornaments. At 2 p.m. each Sunday, guests will be led in the Icelandic tradition of "dancing around the Christmas tree." Refreshments will be available in the Sunroom each week. Enjoy hot cider, hot chocolate and a selection of Christmas cookies from both traditions. Lots of fun for all ages.
Adults: $8; Seniors $7; Children: $6.

In addition to the abovementioned on-going activities, each week will feature the following entertainment:

December 4
Enjoy Icelandic Christmas Songs with Maja Ardal and Sigga Fridriksdottir Be enchanted by a Joliasveinar Story with Hildy Stollery. Edwardian Christmas music will be provided by the Taffanel Ensemble

December 11
Icelandic Christmas Songs will be performed by Ann Helga Denny
This week's Jolasveinar Story will be told by Brenda Bjarnason. Edwardian Christmas music with the Taffanel Ensemble will return.

December 18
This week a Joliasveinar Play will be performed by Brenda Bjarnason and the Bifröst Little Folk Theatre Group. Ingunn Benediktsson will entertain us with Icelandic instrumental music. Don't miss Edwardian Christmas tales with storyteller David Healey.

2 for 1 Regular Admission Coupon:

http://www.toronto.ca/culture/holiday-events.htm">

В ТОРОНТО ИЗ РЕЙКЬЯВИКА: РОЖДЕСТВО В ИСЛАНДСКОМ СТИЛЕ
Christmas Icelandic Style
Воскресенье, 4, 11 и 18 декабря

Вас приглашают посмотреть, какое оно, Рождество по-исландски.
Будет все – нарядная елка и гирлянды, праздничные блюда, рождественские истории и, конечно же, музыка.
Каждое воскресенье перед Рождеством будет тематическим:
первое – музыкальным,
второе познакомит публику с исландскими историями и песнями,
а третье порадует любителей театра праздничным спектаклем в народных исландских традициях.
Адрес: Spadina Historic House and Gardens (Spadina Museum), 285 Spadina Rd.
Время: 4, 11 и 18 декабря с 12 pm.
Вход: дети до 5 лет – бесплатно, взрослые - $6,75, подростки и пенсионеры - $5,75.

Credit: Русский Экспресс

City of Toronto: Culture - Holiday Calendar Of Events

Icelandic Christmas at Spadina house

Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto Website Homepage

Falkinn: THE OFFICAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN CLUB OF TORONTO




...В переводе с древненорвежского «Исландия» означает «ледяная страна». Так прозвали остров первые поселенцы, перебравшиеся сюда со Скандинавского полуострова в середине IX века.
Но вопреки своему названию и географическому положению Исландия находится у самого Северного полярного круга — это отнюдь не арктическая страна...

Hot-Iceland.com :: Все, что Вы хотели знать об Исландии

Зачем ехать
Как я съел акулу | Мясо в Исландии
101 блондинка | 1486 км по Исландии
Afisha-Mir.ru: МИР / Европа / Исландия



ARTICLES:

In a Cold Country, the Nights Are Hot

Published: December 19, 2004
BY STEVE DOUGHERTY
The New York Times


Vacation 101: Luxury Trips for the Studious
Published: August 28, 2005
By LUKE JEROD KUMMER
The New York Times


In Iceland, the River Is Glacial, but the Pace Is Far From It

Published: August 21, 2005
By MARK SUNDEEN
The New York Times


The G8's No Match for This Girl: TV Review:'The Girl in the Cafe'
Published: June 25, 2005
By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
The New York Times


Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Christmas Around the World Festival – Festival Around Rotunda

Christmas Around the World Festival – Festival Around Rotunda

Праздничные Народные Традиции в Торонто Сити Холле

On 3-4 December at the City Hall Rotunda took place the 41st Annual Christmas Around the World Festival.


The numerous Christian communities of Toronto had shown and sold the national hand-made articles, souvenirs and foods. Every community exposition included a fur-tree decorated in traditions of that country, where emigrants came from. Participants-volunteers have been dressed in national costumes. Music was playing and a children’s choir was chanting.

Visitors around the Russian exhibit were not only considered Russian souvenirs: matrioshkas - nested dolls, Palehsk’s caskets, wooden toys, but also listened with great attention to the stories more similar to academic lectures about Russian architecture, history and traditions of national crafts. Souvenirs got special value after the narratives, and people willingly bought them.



The Russian exposition has been organized by volunteers from the Russian-Canadian Cultural Aid Society which has recently celebrated the 55-years Anniversary.


Photo: Liudmila Cherniak
© Liudmila Cherniak



LINKS:


Toronto - The official City of Toronto Web site
Toronto Culture
TO Live with Culture


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Christmas Around the World: Праздничные Народные Традиции

Праздничные Народные Традиции в Торонто Сити Холле

Christmas Around the World Festival – Festival Around Rotunda


3-4 декабря в Ротонде Сити Холла проходил ежегодный фестиваль «Christmas Around the World».

Многочисленные христианские общины Торонто показывали (и продавали) свои национальные поделки, сувениры и кушанья. У каждого стола стояла елка, украшенная в традициях той страны, откуда приехали эмигранты. Участники-добровольцы были одеты в национальные костюмы. Играла музыка. Пел детский хор.



У русского стола толпились посетители, которые не только рассматривали русские сувениры – матрешек, палехские шкатулки, деревянные игрушки – но и с интересом слушали рассказы, больше похожие на лекции, о русской архитектуре, истории и традициях народных промыслов. Сувениры приобретали особое значение и их охотно покупали.

Русская экспозиция была организована добровольцами из Русско-Канадского Культурно-Просветительного Общества, недавно отпраздновавшего свой 55-летний юбилей.

Christmas Around the World Festival – Festival Around Rotunda
Photo: Liudmila Cherniak
© Liudmila Cherniak


LINKS:


Toronto - The official City of Toronto Web site
Toronto Culture
TO Live with Culture


TAGS:






Sunday, December 11, 2005

Talanted Photo Artist


Oksana Shlakhter's Photos


www.flickr.com








DigitalOks' photosMore of DigitalOks' photos



Friday, December 02, 2005

Dear Volunteer - You Are Fired!



Dedicated to The International Volunteer Day

This is an unbelievable act of one of leading Ontario Art Gallery that had sent a letter to their 4-long year’s volunteer after she suggested a few enhancements for more fair artists’ treatment and some process improvements.
For an immigrant from a country behind the former Iron Curtain it was a psychological shock. So much for democracy…

Letterhead
Date
Address
Dear Volunteer,

Re: Membership Termination

I am writing this letter to inform you that your membership with the XYZ Volunteer Committee has been terminated effective immediately.
The Executive Committee made this decision as a result of your conduct at the Event and your recent criticism of the Volunteer Committees’ decisions and processes. This behaviour cased a lot of anxiety and disruption amongst other Volunteers. Therefore, termination is in accordance with By-Law Number N Section NN & NNN of the Volunteer Committee.
Enclosed you will find a cheque for $NN.NN which is full reimbursement of your membership fee.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Chair, Chair
XYZ Volunteer Committee






5 December - International Volunteer Day
Celebrate IVD – Become a SIP Volunteer

The International Volunteer Day (IVD) campaign website!

Volunteer Canada's site for information on volunteering

About December 5th: IVD and Volunteer Canada
"International Volunteer Day takes place on December 5th each year and is officially recognized by the United Nations as a day on which volunteers around the world are recognized and celebrated for their contributions and dedication.
Volunteer Canada’s goal for the 2005 International Volunteer Day campaign is to collect story leads about inspiring and exceptional volunteers from every part of Canada. Our intention is for this website to become a “hub” for media looking for exciting and unique human interest stories relevant to their geographical area..."

Plan your own IVD event
Here are ideas, examples and tools for planning your own event or activity for the International Volunteer Day. The resources – available in English, French and Spanish – cover a wide range of issues...

Get Involved

Planning Your International Volunteer Day Campaign

Story Template


BLOGS:

World Volunteer Web: IVD2005 Blog


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