June News: LIGO!

Happy June, everyone!

Our Annual General Meeting was held in March. The members of your executive for the coming year are Anita Clark & John Grunde (auditors), Nelda Kononova, Jim McDonald, Fawnda Mithrush, Liesma Mithrush, Linda Payne, Helen Richards, Ena Rudovics, and Ed Rudzitis. Sincere thanks to Martin Osis and Ruta Vitins for their contributions over the years. We look forward to working with them in other capacities.

Anyone of Latvian heritage studying at NAIT is encouraged to apply for a scholarship sponsored by IMANTA. Information is available at www.nait.ca. The deadline for application is August 30, 2012.

If you love mushrooms and mushroom-picking, the Alberta Mycological Society has many summer events planned.  (www.wildmushrooms.ws)

If you haven’t seen Latvietis on youtube, take a look at the 9-minute long animated history of Latvia. We also have a few Latvian movies on loan from the Latvian Embassy in Ottawa. These can be viewed using a PAL system or via computer. If you’re interested, please contact Ena at 780-468-2728 or rudovics@telus.net.

Our society operates only through the efforts of our volunteers. Get involved in one of the events listed below and meet more interesting people!

IMANTA is once again a sponsor of the Freewill Shakespeare Festival. You will see our logo in the Festival program if you attend from June 26-July 22 at Hawrelak Park Heritage Amphitheatre. The plays this year are The Tempest and Julius Caesar. There is free admission on Sundays for students with ID. The festival is looking for volunteers and Fawnda Mithrush, the Festival’s General Manager, always takes good care of our members.

The Lithuanian community needs volunteers to help with their next Casino on July 3 &4 at Century Casino. We always support their casino and they help by working at our casino. It’s also a good way to get to know your cultural neighbours.

January is many months away but the Ice on Whyte Festival is already in the planning stages. Sandis Kondrats, an ice sculptor from Latvia, will be participating in the festival, possibly with another Baltic artist. IMANTA has been asked to organize a Latvian cultural exhibit. We need volunteers and ideas to help make this a success!

The Edmonton Latvian Lutheran Church has members willing to help but needs someone to coordinate and organize 4 services a year. If no one volunteers, the congregation will be officially and unfortunately dissolved.

To volunteer for any of the above, or if you have any questions, please reply to imantaedmonton@gmail.com.

Look for IMANTA on facebook!

Other links:
www.latviansonline.com
www.lnak.org
www.lnjak.org
www.latviancentre.org
www.am.gov.lv

 The Latvian Song Festival in Milwaukee begins in a few weeks, from July 4-8^th. Tickets to concerts are still available. Consular services will also be available for anyone renewing or applying for a Latvian passport. All information is on the song festival website. www.latviansongfest2012.com

AND NOW, ONTO THE LIGO CELEBRATION!

Visu gadu dziesmas krāju, Jāņu dienas gaidīdama
Nu atnāca Jāņu diena, nu dziesmiņas jaizdziedā.

It’s time once again to celebrate Jāņi, a Latvian tradition that dates back centuries. Jāņi is the  celebration of the longest day and shortest night of the year. Jāņu activities include traditional customs that are believed to bring the aid of good spirits into the home, field and forest. It’s a night of much singing and merriment. Some of the rituals said to bring luck and prosperity in the coming year include leaping over the fire and burning last Midsummer’s wreaths.

IMANTA invites you to its annual Līgo celebration being held once again west of the city, at Lake Isle, on Saturday, June 23rd, anytime after 2pm.

This year’s meal will be potluck, as it was last year. We will cook roast pork and some vegetarian options, also serve coffee/tea/water/juice. We ask that you bring a dish, ready to eat and to share with others: potatoes, salads, breads, sauerkraut, cheese, pickles, desserts. Please do not bring anything that requires much work in the kitchen.

SCHEDULE:
2 – 4 pm: Wreath-making – please bring your own flowers and oak branches. If nature cooperates, there might be wildflowers in the field.
4pm: Pīrāgi-tasting contest – bring your best!
5pm: Buffet begins
Dinner is planned for 6pm. Please arrive in time to have your food included in the buffet!

There will be a bonfire later in the evening, weather permitting.

• Remember to bring your old wreaths to throw on the fire.
• Please bring lawn chairs for your own use.
• Bring musical instruments! Song sheets will be available.
• You will be in the countryside: come prepared for typically unpredictable Alberta weather and mosquitoes.

There will also be a loterija, the kind usually held at many Latvian events in Canada. Tickets will be $10 for 10 and $20 for 25.

Please note: This event is being held on private property. We ask that you act responsibly and respectfully so that all guests can enjoy the celebrations. Please remember to recycle all beverage containers.

Much work goes into preparing for Jāņi and it is one of our main celebrations. We make changes every year as we learn from our community. This event is for Imanta members and the cost to members is $10. Children under 18 are free. Cost to non-members $30 and will include an Imanta membership. You can download a membership form HERE.

You must RSVP to attend to help us plan correct food amounts. Please let us know what other dish you will bring. Directions and a map will be supplied when you reply. To RSVP or for further information, please contact imantaedmonton@gmail.com or Ena at rudovics@telus.net or 780-468-2728.