Now that peace prevails between Norway and Moose Jaw, the next phase of the Moose Truce détente involves celebrating each’s respective cultures.
Tourism Moose Jaw hosted the inaugural Norway Day on May 17, which is also the date when that country honours its founding in 1814. This year Norway is celebrating its 205th birthday.
Surrounded by nearly 100 people, A.E. Peacock Collegiate’s jazz choir kicked off the celebration by singing Norway’s national anthem.
Choir director Cameron Church explained that a student who graduated from Peacock last year is now studying in Norway. He contacted her through Facebook and asked for guidance in singing the song. She then sent him a recording of the anthem.
“We’re going to send her a recording so she can tell us how we did (and) how we fared,” laughed Church.
The jazz choir later sang the song “Take On Me” by Norwegian band a-ha.
A video was then shown of Linda Henriksen, deputy mayor of Stor-Elvdal, Norway, who brought greetings from her community.
She explained the history behind Norway’s Constitution Day and cheered the fact Moose Jaw is now celebrating it too. In Norway, people participate in parades that feature marching bands, the singing of the anthem, and the wearing of traditional outfits. Everyone then eats hot dogs, cake and ice cream.
“For kids, this is the best day of the year. You can have as much ice cream as you want and no one is allowed to say no,” said Henriksen. “I’m so happy and honoured we got this tradition going (in Moose Jaw) … and I’m truly amazed you wanted to take on our tradition.”
Jacki L’Heureux-Mason, executive director for Tourism Moose Jaw, was overwhelmed to see so many people. She explained that Mac the Moose is important to the community and visitors, based on the tallest moose controversy and the 150,000 visitors who see the moose every year.
Changes are coming to Mac the Moose this spring, however, L’Heureux-Mason explained. Mac’s antlers will be removed in early June so an artist can enlarge them.
Tourism Moose Jaw is also working with Sask. Polytechnic to ensure the horns can withstand the wind; the school is using computer modelling to test the horns’ aerodynamics. The horns will then return in September.
Tourism Moose Jaw will continue to fundraise for Mac since it doesn’t know how long the statue will continue standing, said L’Heureux-Mason. An engineering report revealed the statue wouldn’t pass building codes if constructed today. But as a piece of art that has stood for 35 years and is surrounded by a fence, it still has several more years left.
Wearing a hat with the flags of both countries, Dan Listoe, 85, was on hand to celebrate the inaugural Norway Day. Both of his parents were Norwegian, giving him a pure heritage.
“It’s … great,” Listoe, 85, said about Norway Day being recognized.
He and his wife are members of the Scandinavian Club, so the group regularly celebrates the birthdays of those countries. He also thought the détente was positive, particularly since Norwegians are friendly.
“This has been an amazing few months for this community,” said Tolmie, who noted this could become an annual event.
He then read a letter from the Norwegian embassy. The ambassador wrote that he followed the controversy closely and is thrilled with the outcome and the positive attention the story created for both communities.
“The newly established relationship between Moose Jaw and Stor-Elvdal is another brick in the long-standing bridge between Norway and Canada,” the ambassador wrote, adding he hopes the relationship grows stronger.
Tolmie was similarly pleased that both communities had built bridges during this situation. He also appreciated how Moose Jaw recognized its Norwegian heritage during this time.
“We have a great opportunity here to expand our horizons and think beyond our borders,” he added, “and build a strong relationship with the country of Norway.”
