New mural representing Scandinavian culture to be inaugurated this summer

Celebrating their 60th anniversary, the Scandinavian Culture Centre of Winnipeg is creating a wrap-around mural. Local muralist Charlie Johnson will paint it. It will represent all the contributions the Scandinavian countries have made to Canada.

“We have to have a visual representation of that,” said Sonja Lundstrom, President of the Swedish Cultural Association of Manitoba and chair of their mural committee.

The Centre is a volunteer-driven organization. Members join clubs of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

“We’ve realized we could do it much better together, and as independent as we are, there were so many similarities,” said Lundstrom.

They were able to raise $40,000 in a fundraising campaign for the mural this year, with the help of members and organizations in the community.

“It will not only enrich our lives and the people that come there, but the whole community,” said Lundstrom.

The Association also opened a new patio on July 23, with a variety of food the public would normally find at Folklorama, as a way to celebrate it instead. For next summer, they’re already planning a Swedish celebration in Erickson as a way to honour their culture and immigration through food, music and dances.

“We have a universal language when we get together with that Swedish music, the food and the stories,” said Lundstrom. “It really lights the passion for our culture.”

For more information about the Scandinavian Culture Centre’s events or reservations, you can access www.scandinaviancentre.ca

Juliana Vannucci, U Multicultural