2027 Snorri West Itinerary
Part 1: Iceland
12 June - 18 July, 2027
Snorri West participants will be invited to join the North American Snorri participants during their program in Iceland. This may include meals, activities, field trips, and visits to Alþingi, the Canadian and American Embassies, or Bessastaðir. You will also be invited to join the celebration of their final evening in Iceland, when each of the Snorri participants will give a presentation on their experience, followed by dinner.
Part 2: North America
(Tentative travel dates for 2027)
25 July 2027 - Depart (KEF) Iceland, arrive (YWG) North America
07 August 2027 - depart (YWG) North America; returning to (KEF) Iceland 08 August 2027
North American itinerary highlights tentatively include:
Mountain, North Dakota
A small historic city in Thingvalla Township, Pembina County in the northeastern part of the state, known for its rich Icelandic heritage. The community hosts the famous August the Deuce festival, celebrating Iceland's independence from Denmark. This is the oldest ethnic festival in North Dakota which draws thousands of visitors annually. 2027 marks the 128th year of this event as well as the grand opening of Rootshús, an Icelandic heritage and cultural interpretive center.
The Icelandic Communities of North East, North Dakota
Other highlights in the area include Icelandic State Park, Stephen G Stephansson homestead and monument, North America´s oldest Icelandic Church - Víkurskirkja, K.N. Julius monument, and several Pioneer Museums. Community names such as Akra, Beaulieu, Thingwalla, and Gardar, Hallson, Valhalla, Grafton, Cavalier and Park Townships appear throughout the area.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city in the province. It lies at the geographic centre of Canada and North America and is known as "Gateway to the West". The city is the cultural cradle of Canada and is home to Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Its attractions include the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Forks, and Assiniboine Park as well as many festivals including Folklarama and the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. The University of Manitoba is located in Winnipeg and has an extensive Icelandic Collection. There is even a statue of Jón Sigurðsson on the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg!
Gimli, Manitoba
A lakeside community on Lake Winnipeg known as the heart of New Iceland. It is the largest Icelandic settlement outside of Iceland. It was founded in 1875 and named after the Norse mythology home of the gods. Gimli hosts the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, "Íslendingadagurinn“, it is the oldest Icelandic festival in North America, first held in 1890. The festival celebrates the heritage of Gimli’s Icelandic settlers with a parade, arts, music, poetry, crafts, midway rides, a sandcastle contest, fireworks, and an authentic Viking Village experience. Gimli is home to the New Iceland Heritage Museum and Lögberg-Heimskringla, the only Icelandic heritage newspaper that continues to be published in North America.
Interlake Region, Manitoba
Manitoba’s Interlake region gets its name because it’s located between the province’s two biggest lakes, Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba. Many communities here celebrate their Viking roots, while other communities in the region showcase Indigenous, Scottish and Ukrainian heritage. You will find communities with names such as Hecla, Lundar, Selkirk, Reykjavik, Siglunes, Riverton and Bifrost.
What Happens When Your Adventure Is Over?
Iceland, Fall 2027
You and your fellow Snorri West participants will give a short presentation about your Snorri West experience at the Vesturheimur - vináttufélag (formerly Þjóðræknisfélag Íslendinga) annual conference, usually held on a Sunday between Menningarnótt and mid-September at Hótel Askja Reykjavík (formerly Hotel Natura).
*Itinerary and dates are subject to change.