Special Event Announcement
Greenland Culture Festival
Smithsonian Museum (Baird Auditorium, Natural History Building)
Washington, D.C.
20-22 May 2005
For further information including an agenda, please contact:
Marianne Stenbaek
E-mail: mariannestenbaek [at] yahoo.ca
or contact:
Bodil Hurup Olsen
E-mail: bool [at] gh.gl
Greenland remains one of Earth's last wild places - pristine areas of
semi-mythical proportions haunted by the aurora borealis; vast tundra
and oceans with glittering columns of ice; teeming wildlife, including
whales, walruses, and polar bears. Symbols of the ancient Inuit culture
still thrive, even in the larger towns. Join Greenland's leading
scholars, artisans, and performing artists as they recreate this world
of incredibly rare beauty.
The Greenlandic Minister of Culture, Henriette Rasmussen, hosts this
unique three-day event that begins on Friday, 20 May 2005, introducing
guests to the unique qualities of Greenland. Vibrant slide lectures
bring to life Greenland and the history/culture of the Inuit people. The
day includes master craftsmen at work carving traditional wooden masks,
sculpting Tupilaks (small, magical figures), and building a kayak. There
will also be a performance by the Aavaat Choir in national costume,
several outstanding exhibits on art and photography, drum dancers, and
an informal reception featuring Greenlandic style foods.
Henriette Rasmussen and Ole Marquardt, president of the University of
Greenland, will moderate lectures on Saturday, 21 May 2005.
The lectures will include:
"On the Trail of the Vikings"
First encounters between Vikings (Norse) and Inuit in 1,000 AD; major
Norse sites in Greenland including the Hvalsey ruins and early Christian
churches; new research and what these sites reveal about the Norse
culture in Greenland.
"On the Trail of the Inuit"
The Inuit culture as expressed in their daily life, relationship to
nature, and sagas; their commonalities with other North American Inuit
communities.
"On the Trail of the Natural World"
A photographic journey through the majesty of the Greenlandic natural
world from the long days of the Midnight Sun to spectacular glaciers and
fjords; wildlife including caribou, wolves, ermine, and musk oxen.
"Voices of Greenland Today"
Lively and informed panel discussion on aspects of contemporary life;
guidelines for travel.
The event also features family activities throughout the day on
Saturday, 21 May. On Sunday, 22 May the exhibits will continue and there
will be a Nordic film festival.
The "Greenland Culture Festival" is being organized by the
Directorate of Culture, Education, Research and Church, Nuuk, Greenland;
The Arctic Studies Center, National Museum of Natural History at the
Smithsonian; and The Royal Danish Embassy, Washington, D.C.
For further information including an agenda, please contact:
Marianne Stenbaek
E-mail: mariannestenbaek [at] yahoo.ca
or contact:
Bodil Hurup Olsen
E-mail: bool [at] gh.gl
The Greenland event follows the ARCUS 17th Annual Meeting and Arctic
Forum that will be held on 19-20 May 2005 at the Wyndham Washington D.C.
Hotel.
For further information on the ARCUS 17th Annual Meeting and Arctic
Forum, please go to:
http://www.arcus.org/annual_meetings/2005/index.html