LEIC

About

The Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club of Calgary

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 float the idea of forming themselves into 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 Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club is also a member of the Icelandic National League which holds a convention for all member clubs each year in April.

Since then, the club has been very active. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the month at the Scandinavian Centre, 739 20^th Avenue N. W., Calgary T2M 1E2. The Executive is elected for a 2 year term.

Our annual activites include: Sumardagurinn Fyrsti, (the first day of summer), a Fall Feast, and the always favourite Christmas Party. These events are sometimes a pot luck dinner and sometimes they are catered. All are well attended. We participate in the Markerville Picnic, usually the third Saturday in June. Other activities vary each year.

We are fortunate to hold Casinos every 18 months which aids us in various activities for the Community such as a Speaker Series which is becoming more popular all the time. The Annual General Meeting is held every January, usually the last Sunday of the month at the Scan Centre. For further details about our club, refer to the History of the Leif Eiriksson Icelandic club (coming soon).

The Leif Eiriksson Icelandic Club of Calgary was founded in 1973 and is an ethnic and cultural society dedicated to the fostering of the Icelandic heritage and language in

Calgary and its surrounding communities. It is an active member of the Icelandic National League of North America.

 The Club sponsors many events including:     Sumardagurinn Fyrsti     Icelandic National Day in Markerville     Fall Feast     Icelandic Christmas Party The Club encourages the speaking the Icelandic language and supports:Snorri program which sponsors young adults to spend six weeks in

Iceland learning its contemporary culture. This program involves learning Icelandic, connecting with relatives and seeing the wonders of the country,

 Snorri plus sponsors guided travel to Iceland for adults and seniors.  Children’s language camp to learn the Icelandic Language, handicrafts and Western Icelandic history,   The club maintains an extensive collection of books in Icelandic and on

Iceland and related topics in its library located at the:

Calgary Scandinavian Centre

739 20^th Avenue N.W.

Calgary, Alberta

Phone number for the Scandinavian Club is (403) 284-2610, the FAX is (403) 284-2675 or email: scanctr@telus.net