 Here is some more information about the upcoming annual Federation of Danish Associations in Canada - The Annual General Meeting and Conference. The Danish Canadian Club in Winnipeg is hosting the conference this year because it is the 400th anniversary since Jens Munk, the Danish explorer, was sent by the king of Denmark to find the Northwest Passage. Munk overwintered in what is now Churchill, Manitoba. Please note that next year, in May of 2020, the Vancouver Island Danish Canadian Club will be hosting this event in Nanaimo. We are currently forming a Host Committee for this event so please give me a call or drop me a note if you have any ideas or would like to help out in any way. Cheers, Tom Hedekar Treasurer The 2019 Conference of Dansih Associations in Canada will be held in Winnipeg May 23rd to the 25th, honouring Jens Munk's 400th Anniversary If you are unfamiliar with the Danish explorer Jens Munk, you have a great opportunity in 2019. It is 400 years since he came to Canada - before it was known as Canada. He called the land Nova Dania (Latin for New Denmark) - the name didn't stick. Today, Jens Munk's name is almost forgotten. However, he is arguably one of the great personalities of history, who never received the recognition he deserved. Munk was Danish, an Emissary of King Christian IV, soldier, merchant, naval hero, linguist, storyteller, navigator, nurse, friend, father-figure, wise and well-liked, inspiring and idealistic. His story has so many aspects it's hard to know which angle to use. As Canadians with Danish roots, it is our story as well; and we can tell it with pride and humility. It's the story of a man who was more noble than any nobleman of the time. He showed compassion and goodwill, but never got any himself. He was an amazing navigator, he was a person with perseverance and loyalty like few. Yet he never received official recognition as one of Denmark's famous sea captains/admirals. In Denmark, there is only a cairn erected by Dansk Canadisk Selskab in Strandgaard Dyrehave, near Faxe. The Federation of Danish Associations in Canada has established a Jens Munk Steering Committee to share his story, in Danish-Canadian circles, and with all Canadians & anyone who cares about history and the human spirit. It is a story that really goes to the core of what it means to be human. - Otto Christensen, Gimli, Member, Jens Munk Steering Committee Ways to get involved:
Tom and Lynn Hedekar would love to have the company of some of our Club Members at the Winnipeg Conference! 2019 Post Conference Seminar May 27 - June 1 This year's Danish Heritage Seminar promises to be an educational, inspiring and fun-filled course which explores various aspects of life in Copenhagen and abroad in the 19th century, and the phenomenon of trolls, as well as Jens Munk's expedition to find the Northwest Passage, north of Canada to China.
The Seminar is modeled on the Folk Schools in Denmark. It is being held right after the Danish Canadian Conference in Winnipeg. An important aspect of the Seminar is in English. For more information, contact Tom Hedekar, he has brochures about the Seminar.
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12/7/2019 04:32:55 am
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