Upcoming Conferences

2009 : Red Deer
2010 : Winnipeg
2011 : Calgary

See below for write-ups on previous Conferences:

Danish Canadian Conference in Ottawa, May 2008

A successful Danish Canadian Conference, hosted by The Danish Club of Ottawa, was held at the Delta Hotel and Suites, 361 Queen Street, Ottawa, from May 22-25, 2008. Over 90 people had registered for the Conference. The theme was A Capital Event. The Conference had been organized by Lisbeth Hansen, Mylene Poulsen, Sue-Anne Nielsen, Peter Poulsen, Poul Hoffmann Nielsen, Andrea Stills and Rolf Christensen.

The Conference began with a Reception at the Royal Danish Embassy, where Ambassador Poul Erik Dam Kristensen bid everyone welcome to his residence. Words of welcome to the Conference were also given by the President of The Danish Club of Ottawa, Lisbeth Hansen, by Danish Federation President Rolf Christensen and President of the Danish Canadian National Museum, Svend E. Nielsen. Most of the participants were transported to the Embassy and back to the hotel by an elongated OCTranspo bus. It was an excellent way to start the Conference, setting the right atmosphere.

Friday was Museum Day. In the morning the Danish Canadian National Museum held its Annual General Meeting, chaired by Svend E. Nielsen. At the following Board of Directors meeting, Svend E. Nielsen stepped down as President, but was later elected Vice-President. Elected new Museum President was Steve Morck of Calgary. At lunch Dr. Rhonda Hinther, curator at the Canadian Museum of Civilization spoke about her projects at the Museum of Civilization and mentioned the Danish items in the Museum's large collection. In the afternoon Steve Morck gave an update about the activities at the Danish Canadian National Museum in Dickson, Alberta. The presentation included several photos of the Thomsen log cabin and the Nielsen CPR House, both now located on the new Bethany property. Carl Sorensen spoke about the Viking Ship that is being built in Roskilde for the Museum in Dickson.

In the evening an auction was held. Members of The Danish Club of Ottawa as well as conference participants from across the country generously donated items for the auction. Over 130 items were donated. Johan Westra from Bytown Auctioneers looked after the auction with help from the Dickson Museum. The auction raised over $5,000.00. Thank you to all the auction supporters.

On Friday afternoon the Calligrammes Gallery at 21 Murray Street opened the exhibitions Viking Vestiges by Richard Studham, and Echoes of the Mind by Grethe Lauesen, Peter Hiort Petersen and Maya Hiort Petersen. All the Conference delegates had been invited to the opening of this "Danish" exhibition, which had been planned to coincide with the Conference. Later the Gallery said it wanted to extend the exhibition by a week.

Saturday morning the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada held its Annual General Meeting. Each Danish organization represented gave a report on its activities, which will be printed in next year's Heritage Book. The Board reported on the estate of the late Martha Larsen, which had been willed to the Danish Federation, and reported that a committee had been established to set guidelines for how the money should be invested, spent etc. Elected President, Vice-President and Secretary were respectively Rolf Christensen, Ole Larsen and Ella Wolder. Annie Kruus of Ottawa wanted to step down as Treasurer, and elected new Treasurer was Sue-Anne Nielsen of Ottawa. Erik Hogh was re-appointed as auditor for the Danish Federation.

Svend Berg of Montreal had again edited the 2008 Heritage Book, which is 260 pages in length. It contains many articles, reports and biographies, including a dozen biographies from Ottawa.

The Saturday luncheon speaker was reporter Joël-Denis Bellavance from La Presse, who spoke about being a journalist in Ottawa. He ended by speaking about his court case regarding a leaked document, where a Federal Court in Montreal has ruled he must reveal his sources. After lunch Ambassador Poul Erik Dam Kristensen gave a power point presentation about Denmark and Danish-Canadian relations. The Danish economy is doing very well, but labour shortages are already occurring, he said. This was followed by a presentation by David Flemming of Heritage Ottawa, who spoke about heritage preservation in an age of rapid development.

Over 90 people attended the Banquet Saturday evening at the Delta Hotel. The Ole Larsen Trio provided background music as well as dancing music. "Elvis Presley" got the Banquet hopping and entertained for nearly an hour. A great social occasion!

Sunday morning a group photo was taken in front of the Parliament Buildings. At lunch Lisbeth Hansen of The Danish Club of Ottawa handed over the flag (fane) and mailbox to Joanne Nielsen of the Red Deer Danish Canadian Club, who will host the 2009 Conference. Lastly Ole Larsen of Montreal presented a colour photo of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik to The Danish Club of Ottawa, which was received by Lisbeth Hansen on behalf of the host Club. The Conference ended with a short guided bus tour of Ottawa - in beautiful sunshine.

Danish Canadian Conference in Edmonton, May 2007

A very successful Danish Canadian Conference was held in Edmonton from May 24-27, 2007. Over 75 people from across Canada registered for the Conference, which was hosted by the Danish Canadian Society Dania and Ansgar Danish Lutheran Church, both of Edmonton. The theme of the Conference was Honouring our Traditions: Past, Present and Future. The theme was addressed in a workshop on Saturday afternoon, along with three other issues: Activating dormant organizations; Support for Multiculturalism; and Possible future project for the Danish Federation.

The Conference was organized by a committee headed by Svend B. Nielsen, who had done a great job in putting on a superb Conference. There was a very good turnout at the three lunches as well as the Saturday night banquet.

The Conference was opened Thursday night at the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, just off Jasper Avenue, in downtown Edmonton. Svend B. Nielsen bid everyone welcome. Greetings and words of welcome were then extended by the presidents of Dania, Ansgar Church and the Danish Federation, respectively Bent Skousbol, Hanne Roemer and Rolf Christensen. Afterwards everyone had a chance to mingle and talk.

Friday was devoted to the Danish Canadian National Museum in Dickson. The Museum's Annual General Meeting began in the morning and continued in the afternoon. The luncheon speaker was the Mayor of Red Deer, Morris Flewwelling, who had been involved in the establishment of both the Dickson Store Museum and the National Museum, when he headed the Red Deer Museum and Archives. After the Annual General Meeting, Museum Vice-President Steve Morck gave a Museum presentation. The delegates were then free for the rest of the afternoon, while the Museum's Board of Directors held a Board Meeting, where Svend E. Nielsen of Innisfail was re-elected President of the National Museum. In the evening Peder Bang from Jutland was back to take care of the big auction, which brought in over $4,000, thanks to the generous bidders.

Saturday, the Danish Federation held its Annual General Meeting, which was chaired by Solvejg Nielsen of North Delta, B.C. Membership in the Danish Federation had dropped by one to 40 member organizations. The Financial Statement showed a healthy surplus. The President mentioned the issue of Aalborg Akvavit in his Annual Report. Invitations to host the Danish Canadian Conference in 2009 and 2010 were received from respectively the Danish Clubs in Red Deer and Winnipeg. Elected President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer were respectively Rolf Christensen, Ole Larsen, Ella Wolder and Annie Kruus. Appointed auditor for the coming year was Erik Hogh.

The 280-page 2007 Heritage Book had been compiled and edited by Svend Berg of Montreal. It contains a wealth of articles, biographies, reports and histories, many of them relating to the Danes in Alberta. The Saturday luncheon speaker was now-retired Senator Thelma Chalifoux, who spoke about her work, voluntarism, citizenship and her family. Her father was Métis and her mother was Danish. The lunch was followed by the workshops.

About 130 people attended the Banquet Saturday night. The Drayton-Turner Valley Room in the hotel had been turned into a nightclub with great food and a live band. There were speeches and door prizes, the Buy-a-Brick draw and a great atmosphere. People mingled, ate, drank and danced.

Sunday morning two buses took the delegates to Ansgar Lutheran Church. The Service by Pastor Rikke Aagaard Nielsen was in Danish. A group photo was taken outside the Church. Then everyone boarded the buses for the Dutch-Scandinavian Centre, where a typical Danish lunch was served, with open-face sandwiches, Faxe beer and Aalborg Akvavit. At the lunch Bent Skousbol, President of Dania, handed the Danish flag (fane) and Danish mailbox to Vita Christensen, Danish Club of Ottawa, as Ottawa will be hosting the 2008 Danish Canadian Conference. This little ceremony officially concluded the 2007 Conference.

After lunch there was a bus tour to Elk Island National Park, east of Edmonton. The bus tour ended yet another memorable Conference. See you next year in Ottawa!

Danish Federation celebrates 25th anniversary at Conference in Vancouver, May 2006

At a national conference in Vancouver, Canada, the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was a celebration, which will be remembered for a long time. Seven of the thirteen founding members of the Danish Federation were present, and each received a certificate of acknowledgement and appreciation at the Banquet Saturday evening, May 13, at the Inn at Westminster Quay. The seven recipients in alphabetical order were: Svend Berg, Poul B. Christensen, Rolf Christensen, Ole Larsen, Esther Machacynski, Soren Sondergaard and Eva Terp.

In the afternoon the Federation President spoke about the group photos from each of the Federation's Conferences. The twenty-five photos were displayed on a large panel. While speaking he highlighted the Federation's many activities over the years.

The theme of the Conference was Celebrating 25 Years. The theme was chosen by the Pacific Region, which hosted a Danish Federation Conference for the third time, including the very first one in 1982, a year after the Federation's founding at a Danish Constitution Day Celebration on June 7, 1981. The host region consists of the following eight organizations: The Danish Brotherhood in America; Danish Lutheran Church of Vancouver; Granly Danish Lutheran Church; Royal Danish Guards' Association Pacific Northwest; Danish Canadian Community Centre; Vancouver Island Danish Canadian Club; Danish House Society; and Dania Home and Dania Society.

The Conference was held at the Inn at Westminster Quay on the Fraser River from Thursday evening to Saturday night. Sunday the Conference continued at the Danish Lutheran Church in Burnaby, lunch was at the Scandinavian Community Centre and dinner at Granly Danish Lutheran Church.

On Thursday evening Solvejg Nielsen, President of the Pacific Region of the Danish Federation had bid everyone welcome. Friday was devoted to the Danish Canadian National Museum in Dickson, Alberta. In the morning Steve Morck and Sharon Thesberg conducted a Museum workshop, beginning with a slide presentation. At lunch Mr. Colin Stevens, Director of the New Westminster Museum gave a very informative talk about the history of the city and region. In the afternoon the National Museum held its Annual General Meeting. There was then free time until the auction at 8 p.m., where Knud Nielsen was the auctioneer. A generous amount of money was raised for the National Museum in Dickson.

The Federation's Annual General Meeting, chaired by Soren Sondergaard, was held Saturday morning. The many clubs belonging to the Danish Federation and who were represented by delegates gave reports about their activities. The Annual Report and the Financial Statement were presented. Annie Kruus of The Danish Club of Ottawa invited everyone to Ottawa in 2008. Elected President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer were respectively Rolf Christensen, Ole Larsen, Ella Wolder and Annie Kruus. Reappointed auditor was Erik Hogh.

Saturday afternoon Denmark's ambassador to Denmark, H.E. Poul Erik Dam Kristensen, spoke about Denmark, Danish-Canadian relations and trade, Hans Island and the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, which had appeared in Jyllands-Posten. It was a very informative and timely talk.

The 2006 Heritage Book contains a wealth of biographies, articles, histories and reports, all relating to Danish Canadians and Danes in general. Svend Berg again ably edited the 261-page book.

The Saturday evening Banquet was held in the Hyack Room at the Inn at Westminster Quay. The guest speaker was Danish Ambassador Poul Erik Dam Kristensen. Entertainment was by the talented Scandinavian Dancers, accompanied by the musicians Gammel Dansk.

Sunday morning breakfast was served at the Church in Burnaby. The Church Service was conducted by Pastor Bodil Toftdahl, who was seeking the position as pastor in Vancouver. The lunch at the Scandinavian Community Centre ended the Conference. Margaret Chester handed the mailbox and fane over to Bent Skousbol, the President of Dania in Edmonton.

Sunday afternoon a bus took the group on a sightseeing tour of Vancouver, with a stop in Stanley Park near the totem poles. The dinner in the evening was at Granly Danish Lutheran Church in Surrey, where the Danish Community Centre had prepared a big birthday cake. The talented Tivoli Singers provided beautiful entertainment.

Next year's Conference in Edmonton will be hosted by Dania and Ansgar Lutheran Church and will be held the last weekend in May. The theme will be Honouring Traditions. The Chairman of the 2007 Conference Committee is Svend B. Nielsen.

Conference in Blair, Nebraska and Elk Horn, Iowa, May 2005

The Federation of Danish Associations in Canada held its 2005 Conference from May 26 to 29 at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. This was the first time that the Danish Federation has held an annual Conference in the United States. Conferences are usually held in Canada, but three have been held in Denmark. The host of the 2005 Conference was The Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa, which had chosen the Conference theme The Danish American Immigrant Experience. Conference Coordinator was Dr. John Mark Nielsen, executive director of the Danish Immigrant Museum. Dana College and the Danish American Heritage Society co-sponsored the Conference.

The Conference officially opened Thursday evening, May 26, in the Forum in the Durham Center. Friday morning the Danish Canadian National Museum held its Annual General Meeting, chaired by Carl Sorensen, the President. The speaker at the Friday lunch was John Mark Nielsen, who gave a brief history of Danish immigration to Iowa and Nebraska. After lunch Steve Morck, using a big screen, gave a high tech presentation and update on the Museum in Dickson.

The Danish Federation held its Annual General Meeting, chaired by Solvejg Nielsen, Friday evening. Treasurer Esther Machacynski of Kingston had decided to step down after 24 years and elected new Treasurer was Annie Kruus of Ottawa. Re-elected as President, Vice-President and Secretary were respectively Rolf Christensen of Ottawa, Ole Larsen of Montreal as well as Ella Wolder of Vancouver. Moreover, Erik Hogh of Caledon, Ontario, was re-appointed auditor.

Saturday was spent in Iowa. At 8:30 the participants boarded a big modern coach, which then crossed the Missouri River into Iowa, stopping at the Danish Windmill on Main Street in Elk Horn. At 11 o'clock the group assembled in front of the Danish Immigrant Museum's Family History and Genealogy Center, where chairs had been set up to watch the parade, it being Tivoli Fest that day. Marching bands, majorettes, floats and vintage cars, along with vets and the National Guard, in addition to police, firemen and ambulances participated in the parade. Many of the floats were devoted to Hans Christian Andersen's 200th birthday.

In the afternoon there were two presentations at the impressive Danish Immigrant Museum. This was followed by a presentation at the Family History and Genealogy Center on Main Street. The Saturday night banquet was held at the historic Whitney Hotel in Atlantic, not far from Elk Horn. The Master of Ceremonies was Jim Iversen, the President of the Danish American Heritage Society. The guest speaker was Major Rick Burns, who showed pictures from his tour of duty in Iraq. The Danish Canadian National Museum then held its successful Buy-a-Brick draw. The last item of business was Jim Iversen handing over the Plaque with the Danish mailbox to Margaret Chester, who accepted it on behalf of next year's Conference hosts in Vancouver.

Sunday morning the participants attended a very contemporary Service at First Lutheran Church in Blair. The closing of the Conference took place at the Sunday Luncheon in the Campus Center. After some speeches and presentations the President of the Danish Federation thanked the organizers for a successful and memorable Conference in the Danish heartland of America.

The Rev. Darryl Gregory Gray, who is both a minister and a social activist, spoke about human rights in Canada, focusing on racism, religion, discrimination, tolerance and respect. Philippe Tremblay, a lawyer and researcher with the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development spoke about international law, the Geneva Convention and the United Nations. Yvonne Christiansen, an English teacher at a local college, who volunteers for Amnesty International, spoke about the suppression of human rights in China.

The Danish Canadian Society and The Danish Club, both of Montreal, hosted the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada's three-day conference from May 27 to 30, 2004. The conference was held at Days Inn and at Hotel Lord Berri in downtown Montreal.

The first day of the Conference was devoted to the Danish Canadian National Museum Society, which held its annual general meeting and a couple of board meetings. The Museum also held a successful auction and showed a video from the Museum's Grand Opening in 2002. Copies of the video were distributed to all member organizations of the Danish Federation.

Saturday was dedicated to the Danish Federation. The annual general meeting, chaired by Ontario Region President Gert Andersen of Waterloo, was held in the morning. Each member organization of the Danish Federation gave a report on its activities. The President gave his annual report and highlighted the stone for the Lung Association monument in Saint John, New Brunswick. A video of the event was also shown. Eva Terp stepped down after eight years as secretary. Elected president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer were respectively Rolf Buschardt Christensen, Ole Larsen, Ella Wolder and Esther Machacynski.

The presentations on human rights were held Saturday afternoon. The annual Banquet, with Danish Ambassador Svend Roed Nielsen as Guest Speaker, was held Saturday evening at the elegant Ritz Carlton Hotel. During the evening the rotating fane and mailbox were presented to Dr. John Mark Nielsen, the Executive Director of The Danish Immigrant Museum, by Ole Larsen of Montreal, as the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa, and Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, are the hosts of next year's conference.

Again this year the Danish Federation published an impressive Book with biographies, articles, histories and reports. The 274-page book, edited by Svend Berg of Montreal, also contains several articles relating to human rights. One article tells the story of Peter Aage Jorgensen's internment in the Dachau and Neuengamme concentration camps during WW II. As usual, however, most of the articles are biographies of Danes in Canada.

Sunday was the last day of the Conference. After the Service at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church on Grand Boulevard, where the sermon fittingly dealt with human rights, a typical Danish lunch was served in the adjoining hall. The lunch officially concluded another busy and successful Danish Canadian Conference.

Conference in Thunder Bay and Pass Lake, June 2003

Taking Action was the theme of the Danish Canadian national conference, which the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada held in Thunder Bay from June 12-15, 2003. In four workshops the Danish Federation, a national umbrella group, looked at: (1) the future of Danish organizations in Canada; (2) what kind of activities get members out to events; (3) how to attract dormant, potential and new members; and, (4) fundraising and making activities financially viable. The workshops generated a lot of discussion and good ideas. Before ending the workshop session, a spokesperson from each of the workshops gave a verbal report, which will be written up and published in the Danish Federation's Conference Book next year. The participants hope the various Danish organizations across Canada will find the workshop reports useful in their local work.

The Conference was organized and hosted by the Pass Lake Historical Society, whose president is Ingrid Price. Conference Coordinator was Paul Olsen. The Pass Lake Historical Society is based in Pass Lake, about 50 kilometers east of Thunder Bay, which is located on Lake Superior. Pass Lake is an old Danish settlement, founded in 1924. The Conference itself was held at the historic Prince Arthur Hotel, where Mayor Ken Boshcoff bid welcome Thursday evening.

Friday, June 13th was devoted to the Danish Canadian National Museum, whose president is Kirsten Wohlgemuth. The Museum held a couple of board meetings and its Annual General Meeting, as well as a successful auction in the evening. In the afternoon there was an interesting excursion to Fort William, the old fur-trading fort, which has been restored to how it looked in 1815. Saturday was dedicated to the Danish Federation. The Annual General Meeting, chaired by Gert Andersen of Waterloo, was held in the morning and the workshops on Taking Action were held in the afternoon. A couple of board meetings took care of business. The annual Banquet, with Mike Gravelle MPP, as Guest Speaker, was held in the evening. It attracted many of the local members of the Pass Lake Historical Society.

Again this year the Danish Federation published a Conference Book with biographies, articles, histories and reports. The book, edited by Eva Terp of Toronto, also includes a brief history of the Danish American Heritage Society, as well as a short article about the October 2002 Conference in Omaha. Other articles in the Conference Book relate to the centennial of Dickson, Alberta, and the opening of the Danish Canadian National Museum in Dickson last year. As well, there are several articles about Pier 21, where so many Danish immigrants landed, and which is now a historic site and museum.

On the Sunday the Historical Society had arranged a bus tour to Pass Lake. First stop was at Salem Lutheran Church, with a short but moving Service by Pastor Marilyn Haugenstrand. The Conference participants also had an opportunity to see the new plaque and the new stone monument, dedicated to the pioneers, which is located just outside the Salem Church Cemetery. The Conference ended with a typical Danish lunch at Pass Lake Community Hall, where Ingrid Price handed over the Danish Federation's fane and mailbox to Ole Larsen of Montreal, where the Conference will be held next year.

May 2002 Conference in Red Deer - Grand Opening of Danish Canadian National Museum

Record Turnout for Danish Canadian Conference in Red Deer

The Federation of Danish Associations in Canada's annual Conference was this year hosted by the Red Deer Danish Canadian Club, which organized a very successful Conference. It set records regarding turnouts for registration (90 delegates), for the Saturday night banquet (153 persons) and for the Sunday lunch - with 192 people enjoying Danish open face sandwiches, eased down with cool Faxe beer and Aalborg Akvavit.

The Conference was held May 23-26 in Red Deer at the Black Knight Inn. Red Deer is located about half way between Edmonton and Calgary in the province of Alberta. The president of the Club, which was founded in 1959, is Pernille Nielsen. The Conference Co-ordinators were Leo Eriksen and Alison Pedersen, both of the Red Deer Club, who did a superb job and who were helped by a busy team of volunteers. The theme of the Conference was Give our Past a Future.

The Conference began Thursday night with a welcome reception, where the Red Deer Club bid welcome and Morris Flewwelling from the City Council extended greetings from the mayor. Friday was devoted to the National Museum. In the morning the Annual General Meeting was held and in the afternoon Kurt Nagel conducted a workshop on genealogy. Peder Bang from Jutland, a renowned fundraiser, was auctioneer for the evening and raised over $ 6,000.00. Many of the participants from across Canada had brought beautiful items for the auction, with proceeds going to the National Museum in Dickson.

Saturday was dedicated to the Danish Federation with the Annual General Meeting in the morning. The luncheon speaker was archivist Michael Dawe, who spoke about the founding of Dickson one hundred years ago. In the afternoon the delegates visited the Red Deer Museum and Archives, where coffee was served at the Norwegian Laft Hus. The Banquet, a formal affair with dinner, dance and superb entertainment by Richard and Deborah Popovich, was held in the evening at the Black Knight Inn. It was also an occasion to thank the Red Deer Club for a successful Conference, to listen to speeches, present some prizes and generally have lots of fun.

In connection with the Conference the Red Deer Club had compiled and produced a 192-page Book with articles, histories, biographies and reports, all relating to the Danes in Canada. Editor of the Book was Erling Hansen, helped by Kirsten Wohlgemuth and many others.

Sunday morning the delegates got on a big bus to Dickson, home of the Dickson Store Museum and the Danish Canadian National Museum. Dickson is the oldest Danish settlement on the Canadian Prairies, founded in 1903. The delegates were driven to Bethany Lutheran Church where Pastor Randy Fiege gave a rousing sermon. The delegates were then driven to the Spruce View Community Hall, where Kim Nielsen bid all the delegates welcome to a typical Danish lunch. Following lunch the delegates were driven to the Dormitory site in Dickson, where the Grand Opening of the Museum took place at 2 p.m.

Grand Opening of Danish Canadian Museum

A major and historic milestone was passed by the Danish community in Canada on Sunday, May 26, 2002, when the Danish Canadian National Museum in Dickson, Alberta, was officially opened. The National Museum is situated in the former Girls Dormitory. Dickson, the oldest Danish settlement on the Canadian Prairies, founded in 1903, is located about half way between Edmonton and Calgary.

The President of the Danish Canadian National Museum Society, Kirsten Wohlgemuth, bid the over 700 visitors, in beautiful sunshine, welcome from the big veranda in front of the entrance to the old Girls Dormitory. The Canadian and Danish national anthems were sung. A Danish flag was raised by a Royal Danish Guard in uniform. There were several speakers, including Assistant Deputy Minister Mark Rasmussen from Alberta Community Development, County Councillor Elmer Stoyberg, Danish Federation President Rolf Buschardt Christensen, Dickson Store Museum President Antonia Nissen, Calgary Honourary Danish Consul Jonas Albeck, and others. Present were also Egon Bodtker, President of the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa, and representatives from Danish clubs across Canada. Fred and Bernice Andersen, with a Viking from nearby Markerville, donated a set of Icelandic Sagas to the Museum.

The National Museum's founding President, Svend E. Nielsen, cut the ribbon and officially declared the Museum open. The ribbon was held by the two other past presidents, Andy Kjearsgaard and Svend B. Nielsen. The Girls Dormitory was built in the 1930s and was later also used as a school for both boys and girls.

Inside the old Girls Dormitory are several rooms with displays relating to the history of the Danes in Canada. There are also a library and reading room, an archives, an office, a meeting room, a gift shop with a fair selection of Danish Canadian books, and a small restaurant which serves Danish pastry and apple cake. The Girls Dormitory is situated in a park with several gardens and a small lake with a mermaid sitting on a rock. There are benches strategically placed around the gardens.

Close to the lake is a small Danish Church, which seats 20 people. The Church is built in the typical Danish village church style. In a separate ceremony the Church was consecrated at the Grand Opening by Pastor Holger Madsen of Edmonton, and was baptized Dagmar Pioneer Church. A Children's Garden of Imagination is in the process of being developed, complete with a Gazebo-style story telling hut and a bust of Hans Christian Andersen, donated by the Red Deer Danish Canadian Club. Scenes from Andersen's fairy tales will be featured throughout the woods on the property.

The Museum is owned and operated by the Danish Canadian National Museum Society, which was founded in 1992. Prior to that it had been a committee under the Dickson Store Museum, a general store with living quarters upstairs, which had been officially opened by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in October 1991.

The National Museum and Gardens are open from mid-May until the end of September. The Coffee House, the small Church and the picnic area are available for special family activities. Meeting facilities with food services are available for small groups throughout the year. For further information call the General Manager at 403-728-0019 or at dcnms@telusplanet.net. Regular hours are Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 noon to 5:30 p.m. Tours are welcome. The Museum has already attracted many visitors from Denmark and the United States. It is well worth a visit and will grow and expand in the future.

Friday was devoted to the Danish Federation, with the Banquet Friday night. Saturday was National Museum Day, followed by a dinner, auction and presentation of next year's Conference. Sunday morning the Conference moved to Sunset Villa in Puslinch, where the delegates had lunch and participated in the annual Danish Constitution Day festivities in the afternoon.

The Conference Theme was The Danish Immigrants' Contribution to Canada. The 150-page annual Conference Book, with biographies, reports, histories and articles about the Danes in Canada is available from the Danish Federation.

June 2000 Conference in Aalborg was opportunity to visit Danish Emigration Archives

The Danish Federation’s Conference in Denmark was a wonderful opportunity to visit the Danish Emigration Archives and carry out research. The Conference delegates can now return home and inform other Danes where and how to conduct research or acquire information at Udvandrerarkivet and other archives in Denmark.

The 19th Danish Canadian Conference, hosted by the Danish Emigration Archives in Denmark, began Monday evening, June 26th, with a visit to Aalborg’s historic Town Hall on Gammel Torv, where Deputy Mayor Peter Reinau bid everyone welcome with a drink. He told the delegates in a very entertaining way about the historic Town Hall and then showed a couple of videos of Aalborg - geographically the town on the top of the European Continent.

Many of the 75 registered delegates stayed at Slotshotellet, located on the waterfront. Delegates included representatives from the Danish American Heritage Society in the U.S and from Denmark the Scandinavian Canadian American Friendship Association and the Danish Canadian Society.

The Conference itself began Tuesday, June 27th, which was devoted to the Conference theme: How to Trace your Danish Roots. At Medborgerhuset, across the street from Slotshotellet, Director Jens Topholm and Conference Coordinator Birgit Flemming Larsen, welcomed all the delegates to Aalborg and the Conference. A choir from the Aalborg Music School sang Danish summer songs - and ended with Happy Birthday for Elsie Dahl, who turned 86. Professor Harald Runblom of Uppsala University, Sweden, then spoke about Scandinavian emigration to North America. This was followed by a presentation about DANPA by Jens Topholm, who showed on a large screen what DANPA (Danmarks Nationale PrivatArkivdatabase) contains. DANPA is a data base on the Internet, which contains search capabilities for descriptive records representing about 150,000 private archives in Denmark. The web site address is: danpa.dda.dk

Birgit Flemming Larsen then gave a brief overview of the history of the Danish Emigration Archives and the role played by Max Henius in establishing Rebild and the Archives. She then gave a short summary of the collection at the archives. After lunch at Slotshotellet, Professor Erik Helmer Pedersen, Copenhagen University, spoke about emigration issues, and what needs to be done, collected, researched and published. This was followed by a visit to the Danish Emigration Archives, where the delegates could look at files and the library as well as surf the Internet.

In the evening, a bus picked up all the delegates at the hotel and took them to the ferry, where a 2½ minute ferry ride carried them to Restaurant Kronborg on the island of Egholm, where the menu was delicious Danish eel, washed down with snaps and beer. An entertaining dinner talk was given by Tommerup Pastor Svend Faarvang, formerly of Vancouver.

Wednesday began with a visit to the distillery Aalborg Akvavit. It was fascinating to hear the story of the development of distilling and of the industry - as well as the changes in legislation governing its production through the ages. The visit ended with a tour of the distillery and a stop at the distillery’s museum. Samples of Akvavit were also presented to the visitors.

The Danish Federation’s Annual General Meeting, chaired by Poul B. Christensen, was held in the afternoon. Member organizations reported on their activities during the past year. Rolf Buschardt Christensen, Ole Larsen, Eva Terp and Esther Machacynski were re-elected respectively president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. The Board was asked to find an auditor to replace Svend Pedersen who sadly had passed away.

An interesting and informative 240-page Conference Book, edited by Niels Jorgensen, had been printed - and distributed to the delegates prior to the Conference. It contains biographies, histories, reports and articles from across Canada - and is available for $ 11. It also includes an index of all previous Conference Books.

The Danish Emigration Archives, in collaboration with the Danish Society for Emigration History, had also published a book on the occasion of the Conference, entitled In Denmark Born - To Canada Sworn. It is a 183-page book with forty Danish-Canadian biographies and an article about Scandinavian migration to Canada by Professor Harald Runblom. It will later be available in Canada through the Danish Federation.

The Banquet Wednesday evening was held at Skydepavillonen at the base of the Aalborg Tower. Skydepavillonen, from which there is a beautiful view of Aalborg, is owned by Det Broderlige Skydeselskab Papegøjegildet af 20. maj 1431. The Conference Delegates were bid welcome by Egon Østergaard, president of the society, who told about their long and proud history. The dinner was delicious and the wine flowed freely, while the delegates sang.

Thursday began with a church service by Bishop Søren Lodberg Hvas at St. Budolfi Cathedral. He is also president of DKU, the Danish Church Abroad. Back at the Civic Centre (Medborgerhuset), Frank Engelbrecht of Sunset Villa told about the plans for next year’s conference in Kitchener and handed out tourist information. Inge Paquette then gave an update on the Danish Canadian National Museum and showed the Museum video. A couple of cheques were also presented to the National Museum.

The following lunch at Slotshotellet concluded the Conference. Birgit Flemming Larsen handed over the mailbox to Herb Jorgensen, and the Federation President thanked Birgit Flemming Larsen for organizing a memorable Conference in Denmark - and for publishing the book In Denmark Born - To Canada Sworn.

In the afternoon a guided tour in a modern double decker bus took the delegates to the Viking burial grounds at Lindholm Høje and Børglum Monastery, where there was a chance to visit the church. The bus passed by Rubjerg Knude with the sand-hidden light house and Lønstrup, a quaint seaside resort of artists and sunbathers. A stop at the Maarup Church on the coast, which many fear is in danger of falling into the sea soon, provided an opportunity to drink a Gammel Dansk and eat a piece of real Danish pastry - and to talk about the last three days which had passed all too quickly.

Danish Federation given flag stand at 1999 Conference in Calgary

The Danish Federation was given a flag stand by the Royal Danish Guards' Association, Eastern Canada, at the national Conference in Calgary, Alberta, which took place at the Highlander Hotel from May 27-30, 1999. The hosts of the Conference were the Danish organizations in Calgary, who had chosen Danish Traditions in the New Millennium as the theme. The organizing committee, headed by Karen Glowa, had done a superb job in putting on a great Conference for the 75 registered delegates.

The 252-page Conference Book, edited by Niels Jorgensen of Nanaimo, contains biographies, histories and articles related to the Danish community. It can be obtained by sending $ 11.00 to Rolf Christensen, 679 Eastvale Court, Gloucester, Ontario, Canada K1J 6Z7 Eastvale Court, Gloucester, Ontario, Canada K1J 6Z7. The Calgary Conference Book is a real treasure.

Friday was devoted to the Danish Canadian National Museum Society, which collected over $ 20,000 during the course of the Conference. A trip to the National Museum site in Dickson took place Sunday afternoon, in order to see where the planned museum will be built.

The Federation's annual general meeting took place Saturday morning, while the Conference theme was addressed at a workshop in the afternoon. A fun-filled Western Party with delicious food, dancing and superb entertainment, was held at the Danish Canadian Club on Saturday Night.

Sunday morning breakfast was served at the Danish Lutheran Church. A talented choir entertained before the Service. Lunch was at the Danish Canadian Club, where the Federation's flag and mailbox were handed over to the Danish Emigration Archives, who will be hosting the Conference in Aalborg, Denmark, in June 2000.

16th Danish Canadian Conference Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of New Denmark

New Denmark and its 125th anniversary as a Danish settlement provided the backdrop for the Danish Federation's 16th annual Danish Canadian Conference. The host, The New Denmark Historical Society, incorporated the Conference into its celebration. While the Conference itself took place at the Près du Lac Motel in Grand Falls, the many activities surrounding the 125th anniversary were held in New Denmark itself.

New Denmark celebrated its 125th anniversary on Thursday, June 19, 1997. On that day it was exactly 125 years ago since 28 Danes were landed on the shore of the St. John River, where New Denmark is now situated. Before this little group of hardy pioneers lay many hardships, among them, clearing the thick forest, before any crops could be sown between the tree stumps. Behind them was a three-week sea voyage from their homes on the Danish island of Zealand. On June 19th the New Denmark Memorial Museum opened at nine o'clock. At 1:30 p.m. there was a re-enactment of the arrival of the first Danes to New Denmark at the Museum site. This was followed by a Memorial Service, chaired by Sterling Jensen, the President of the Historical Society. The main speakers were: The Very Rev. William Hockin, Danish Consul Peter Teed, Miss New Denmark Kyra Hansen, SCAFA Consultant Arne Naamansen, National Museum President Andy Kjearsgaard, Betty Kjearsgaard, National Museum Director Elsie Dahl, President of the New Denmark 125 Committee Robert Jeppesen, Federation President Rolf Buschardt Christensen, Pastor Svend Faarvang of Tommerup, Denmark, and Guest Speaker Danish Ambassador Jørgen Behnke.

After the Memorial Service, there were refreshments at the Recreation Centre, where both the Lieutenant Governor Marilyn Trenholme Counsell and New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna were present and made some very favourable remarks to the nearly 300 guests present. Saturday afternoon there was a parade from the Museum to the Recreation Centre on top of Klokkedahl Hill, which had beautiful decorated floats and which lasted well over 30 minutes. The Danish Federation flag was carried in the parade by Guardsman Jørgen Birk Andersen of the Royal Danish Guards' Association, Eastern Canada, who was in uniform (blå).

In the evening a big bonfire was lit, where a witch was burned and sent to Bloksbjerg, while the crowd sang the Midsummer Song as well as other Danish songs. It was fun celebrating Skt. Hans in New Denmark as it is a custom which is not usually celebrated in New Denmark.

The Danish Canadian Conference was opened Friday morning by Sterling Jensen, the President of the New Denmark Historical Society and Rolf Christensen, President of the Danish Federation. The Conference brought together about 75 participants from across Canada. The proceedings began with the Annual General Meeting of the Danish Federation, again chaired by Poul B. Christensen of Vancouver. The first point was adopting the new Bylaws which had been circulated to the Member Organizations prior to the meeting. It was decided to create the position of Vice-President, to give Directors, who do not represent a Member organization, the vote, as well as other housekeeping matters. Re-elected President, Secretary and Treasurer were respectively Rolf Buschardt Christensen, Eva Terp and Esther Machacynski. Elected to the new position of Vice-President of the Federation was Børge Chris Christensen of Winnipeg. The last item of business was handing the Danish Federation's mail box and fane over to the Danish Canadian Club of Manitoba, who will be hosting next year's Conference in Winnipeg.

For the first time, the invitation to the following Conference was given by video on a VCR where everyone had a chance to see Karl Sorensen on screen speaking about the preparations for 1998. Melynda Jarratt, Centennial Project Coordinator of the New Brunswick Lung Association, told the delegates about the Association's centennial anniversary in the year 2000. As well, she spoke about the Association's connections with Denmark and told the story about Einar Holbøll, the Danish postmaster who in 1904 invented the Christmas Seal, to raise funds to fight tuberculosis.

Friday afternoon, the Danish Canadian National Museum held its Annual General Meeting, which focused on fundraising. At the following board meeting of the National Museum, Svend B. Nielsen of Edmonton was elected new President, taking over from Andy Kjearsgaard. At the Banquet in the evening, attended by many local people from New Denmark, the National Museum held its Buy-a-Brick Draw. The National Museum then showed its new promotional video, whereafter a very successful Wine and Cheese Reception was held. Gunnar Pedersen of the New Denmark Historical Society gave the delegates a brief overview of the New Denmark Memorial Museum. Most delegates had visited the Museum the day before.

Sunday began with a Church Service at St. Peter's Lutheran Church by Danish Pastor Svend Faarvang of Tommerup, Denmark, as well as the Pastor Paul Schult and Pastor Leslie Johnston. The Service was followed by a pot luck lunch at the New Denmark Recreation Centre. In connection with the Conference, a beautiful 240-page book, was prepared. It contains a wealth of biographies, histories, reports and articles.

The successful Conference concluded Sunday afternoon with a bus tour of hilly New Denmark. It is a Conference that will be remembered for a long time, because it was held in the first Danish settlement in Canada, which this year celebrates its 125th anniversary.

15th Danish Canadian Conference held on island in the Pacific

Historic Nanaimo on beautiful Vancouver Island, on Canada's Pacific coast, served as the backdrop to the Danish Federation's 15th annual Conference, held from June 7-9, 1996. The host, Vancouver Island Danish Canadian Club, had chosen Our Youth as the Conference theme. The two-and-a-half day event took place at the renovated Dorchester Hotel, located right on the waterfront across from the historic Bastion, Nanaimo's landmark.

The national Conference brought together about 75 participants from across Canada. Gunnar Kristensen, President of the Scandinavian Canadian Friendship Association, Kolding, Denmark, and Jens Witthøfft Nielsen, Secretary General of Dansk Samvirke, Copenhagen, Denmark, were also present.

The Conference started Friday afternoon, June 7th, with the annual general meeting of the Danish Canadian National Museum. Among other things it was decided to step up fundraising. Svend E. Nielsen of Innisfail stepped down as President, the National Museum's first, and elected new President of the Museum was Andy Kjearsgaard of Edmonton.

The Conference was officially opened in the evening by Niels Jorgensen, President of the Vancouver Island Danish Canadian Club. Three speakers then addressed the theme Our Youth. They were Karl Monk, Dennis Silvestrone and Elisabeth Kiaerbye. This was followed by a very successful Wine and Cheese Reception, where everyone had a chance to meet and chat.

Saturday morning was devoted to the Danish Federation's annual general meeting, chaired again by Poul B. Christensen of New Westminster, B.C. In addition to the normal business, the discussion centred around amendments to the Bylaws, reimbursement of airfares and support for Danish language courses. Re-elected President and Treasurer were respectively Rolf Buschardt Christensen and Esther Machacynski. Betty Kjearsgaard stepped down as Secretary and elected Secretary was Eva Terp of Toronto, who has been a delegate for many years and who is a founding member of the Danish Federation.

Following lunch, where DKU Pastor Lars Basboll of Edmonton was the Guest Speaker, two teachers addressed the topic Our Youth: Marianne Mikkelsen and Nanaimo School Vice-Principal Al Cormons.

About 175 people attended the Banquet at Bowen Park Saturday evening. A Danish flag (fane) donated to the Danish Canadian National Museum was inaugurated by having four VIPs hammer four nails into the fane. They were: Minister Counsellor Otto H. Larsen of the Royal Danish Embassy in Ottawa, Regional President Ole Larsen of Montreal, who had made the arrangements for getting the fane, Svend E. Nielsen, outgoing President of the Danish Canadian National Museum, as well as a RCMP officer in uniform. After a delightful and typically Danish dinner, Minister Counsellor Otto H. Larsen and Morten V. Pedersen of Calgary spoke to the many guests. There was awesome entertainment by Knud Peter Nielsen and his ensemble from Vancouver. The National Museum held its Buy-a-Brick Draw and then there was dancing to music by the versatile group A Step Above. It was the kind of dinner/dance all Danish organizations aspire to put on for their members.

Sunday began with a Danish Church Service at St. Paul's Anglican Church by DKU Pastor Kai Glud of Burnaby. The Service was followed by Brunch at the Dorchester Hotel, whereafter Yvonne Leicht spoke about Our Youth and Jens Witthøfft Nielsen addressed the topic of Danish language courses.

The last item of business was handing the Danish Federation's mail box and fane over to the New Denmark Historical Society, who will be hosting next year's Conference in New Denmark, New Brunswick. Ole Larsen of Montreal accepted the mail box and fane and will see to it that it reaches New Denmark.

In connection with the Conference, the Nanaimo Club had prepared a beautiful 280-page book, edited by Niels Jorgensen. It contained a wealth of biographies, histories, reports and articles. Many commented on the quality of the articles and the impressive layout of the book, complete with index etc. The Conference Book, made professionally on a computer by Niels Jorgensen, and printed near Montreal, is a treasure for anyone seeking information about the Danes and their activities in Canada.

The successful Conference concluded Sunday afternoon with a sea cruise of Nanaimo harbour and surrounding islands, which included the sighting of several bald eagles and sea lions. A Conference that will be remembered for a long time.

Danish Flag presented to the Federation at the 1995 Danish Canadian Conference in Montreal

At the Saturday evening Banquet at the 14th Danish Canadian Conference in Montreal, Quebec, on May 27, 1995, Danmarks-Samfundet in Denmark, presented a flag to the Danish Federation. The Danish flag, or fane, was inaugurated with a traditional Danish ceremony by hammering in four nails, one for Queen Margrethe, one for Denmark, one for the Danish Federation and one for Canada. Afterwards, everyone sang Der er ingenting, der maner and O Canada.

They came from Denmark, California and from across Canada. With over 80 registered delegates and 26 Danish Canadian organizations represented, the 14th Danish Canadian Conference, hosted by The Danish Canadian Society and The Danish Club, both of Montreal, was an overwhelming success.

The activities began just after lunch on Friday, May 26, 1995, at the new Hotel du Fort, right downtown Montreal, with the Annual General Meeting of the Danish Canadian National Museum. Svend E. Nielsen of Innisfail was re-elected President of the National Museum, which eventually is to be built on the purchased Dormitory lot in Dickson, Alberta.

The Conference was officially opened Friday evening by Danish Canadian Society President Ole Larsen, Danish Club President Axel Thøgersen and Federation President Rolf Buschardt Christensen. The Danish Federation then held its business meeting, where the Federation's member organizations reported on their activities during the past year. It was decided to review the Federation's bylaws and Rolf Buschardt Christensen, Betty Kjearsgaard and Esther Machacynski were re-elected respectively President, Secretary and Treasurer. The business meeting was followed by a social get-together.

In connection with the Conference, a beautiful 231-page Conference Book, edited by Morten Holm, had been printed, containing biographies, histories, reports and articles.

The theme of the Conference was Focus on Democracy. The theme was addressed at the sessions on Saturday, which were held at the Faculty Club of Concordia University. Many commented on the outstanding quality of the speakers. Professor Finn Stendal Pedersen of Odense University spoke about the development of the Danish Constitution. Matti Terho gave a short but dramatic overview of Finland's political development. Professor Maria Peluso, a human rights activist, made a strong case for multiculturalism in Canada and emphasized that subtle discrimination destroys democracy. She was followed by journalist Doug Sweet of The Montreal Gazette, who highlighted the role of the media in preserving democracy. Referring to a statement by Quebec Premier Parizeau he pointed to the danger posed by threats from those in power to control the media.

The speaker at the luncheon at the Faculty Club of Concordia University was the Hon. Ed Broadbent, who now heads the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development in Montreal. He spoke eloquently and received a standing ovation. Professor Graeme Decarie opened the afternoon session with a critical and witty look at democracy or the lack thereof in Quebec. He was followed by Jan Eisenhardt who spoke about his life in Denmark around World War I. Rebecca Mancuso then updated the meeting on the Danish Canadian Society's history project and the planned publication of a book about the Danes in Quebec. Lastly, Svend E. Nielsen, using a big map of the Dormitory property, gave a status report on the Danish Canadian National Museum in Dickson, Alberta.

The banquet Saturday evening was held in the prestigeous Mount Stephen Club on Drummond Street. A Mountie in red gala and a member of the Royal Danish Guards in uniform carried in the flags - and the flag donated by Danmarks-Samfundet was inaugurated. Otto Hemming Larsen, Minister Counsellor at the Danish Embassy in Ottawa, gave a fitting address. Entertainment after the meal was by Maren and Charlotte and music was provided by Ole's Orchestra.

Sunday there was a Service in St. Ansgar Church, followed by open face sandwiches and beer and snaps in Beck's Hall. Pastor Marty Holobow was the luncheon speaker. Everyone joined in for Happy Birthday for Svend Pedersen of the St. Ansgar congregation, who turned 90. The Conference then officially concluded with the Mail Box and new Danish flag being turned over to Karl Sørensen of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, where the Danish Canadian Conference will be held next year. Most of the participants then left on a guided bus tour of Montreal.

1994 Danish Canadian Conference in Edmonton

The Danish Federation`s 13th national conference at The Mayfield Inn in Edmonton brought together representatives from across Canada as well as representatives from Denmark and the United States.

The three-day event began Friday afternoon, May 27th with the second Annual General Meeting of the Danish Canadian National Museum, which was chaired by National Museum President, Svend E. Nielsen.

The official opening of the Danish Federation`s Conference took place at 7 p.m., followed by the Federation`s Annual General Meeting, chaired by Poul B. Christensen. At the business meeting, Rolf Buschardt Christensen, Betty Kjearsgaard and Esther Machacynski were re-elected as respectively president, secretary and treasurer of the Danish Federation. Svend Pedersen of Ottawa was again appointed auditor.

Over 60 people had registered for the conference, including Denmark´s ambassador, H.E. Jørgen M. Behnke and wife, Henning Bender, the director of the Danes Worldwide Archives in Aalborg and Edmonton`s Danish Consul, Dr. Donn Larsen, who is Honorary Director of the Danish Federation. The evening ended with a Wine and Cheese Reception, where everyone had a change to eat, drink and chat.

The hosts of the conference were The Danish Canadian Society Dania and the Ansgar Danish Lutheran Church. The theme of the conference was Our Future: Adapting to Change. Lili and Svend B. Nielsen, who organized the conference, had edited the impressive 366-page Conference Book, the largest to date, which contained biographies, reports, histories and articles about the Danes in Canada.

The first session Saturday morning dealt with immigration, particularly nannies and pastors. Some time was spent discussing OHIP coverage for foreign clergy on short-term visas in Ontario. The second session looked at how to get young people involved. In the third session the Danish Senior Citizen Homes in Canada reported on their current situation and future plans. There are three Danish Senior Citizen Homes in Canada: Sunset Villa in Puslinch, Ontario; Ansgar Villa in Edmonton, Alberta; and Dania in Burnaby, British Columbia. There are also plans to build Senior Citizen Homes in Toronto and Calgary. Dania in Burnaby inaugurated a new complex in 1993, The Carl Mortensen Manor, but has plans to expand again. The fourth session dealt with History Projects. Martha Larsen showed a 10 minute video about Sunset Mindepark. Other member organizations were encouraged to make similar projects.

The luncheon speaker was Professor Chris Hale, who spoke about the Scandinavian Program at the University of Alberta. After lunch Henning Bender, the director of the Danes Worldwide Archives in Aalborg, gave an interesting presentation about high tech at the archives in Aalborg. The sessions then continued, ending with a presentation about next year`s conference in Montreal.

In the evening there was a grand banquet, with a speech by Ambassador Jorgen Behnke, the draw in the National Museum`s Buy a Brick lottery and first class entertainment by Richard and Deborah Popovich. Sunday morning started with a short National Museum meeting on collection policy. The Museum had also taped some interviews on video. This was followed by a Church Service at Ansgar Lutheran Church by Pastors Jens and Liselotte Basboll. Outside the Church a group photo was taken.

The conference concluded with a buffet lunch at Ansgar Villa, the beautiful senior citizen complex in Edmonton, which Holger Madsen and Lars Basboll had spoken of the day before. That concluded a very successful Conference. Many of the delegates then said goodbye - or rather au revoir - paa gensyn - in Montreal next year. Some of the participants then went on a guided tour of Edmonton in the afternoon, where Svend B. Nielsen was the guide.