Manitoba is home to the world’s second-largest Icelandic population and every summer thousands gather in Gimli to celebrate in a festival known as Islendingadagurinn.
In honour of the events 125th anniversary this year, a rune stone was dedicated on a stretch of grass festival organizers hope to develop and call Viking Park.
People are invited to research the script on the 600 kilogram stone and attempt to decipher the message.
"It's just a tribute to the original settlers who came here and settled by Willow Point and the descendants who help make Gimli the wonderful place that it is,” said festival board member Kathi Neal.
Iceland’s Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson took part in the unveiling of the rune stone and said his country takes great pride in its ties to Manitoba.
"I have seen the museums, and got to meet people from Iceland, people who speak Icelandic also, very interesting,” said Sveinsson, “And I met with people that I am related to so it has been very interesting."
Islendingadagurinn provides an opportunity for people to learn about traditional Icelandic culture and even helps some reconnect with their roots.
"It's all about heritage for me. I find it really interesting to learn about where my people came from. Where part of me at least comes from,” said Blake Locken as he tried on a warriors chainmail and shield.
The festival features a traditional Viking village populated by dozens of reenactors who depict typical scenes from Viking culture throughout the centuries.
