Vikings Parade in Ganges Next Week

Gulf Islands Driftwood, Apr. 19 2006

Islanders are invited to join a May Day parade, feast and friendly gathering that includes guests dressed as ninth-century Vikings, to celebrate the Fourth (sic) Annual Freehold Fruehjarfest on Saturday, April 29.

The upcoming Fruehjarfest (meaning "festival of the early-year") is hosted by the local Heathen Freehold Society - a group of islanders who aim to revive the old Nordic religion and culture from pre-Christian Europe.

"I believe that this is a historic opportunity for us and we should use every means at our disposal to revive the ancient ways," said Fruehjarfest organizer Dan Miller.

May Day, known by other names in ancient times, was one of the highest holy days of the ancient religion, he said.

"Nature comes alive in the spring, when the sun is victorious over winter, " said Miller, "Life is indeed a miracle, renewed again every spring."

And the upcoming event will feature a replica Viking village presented by the visiting Norse Culture Recreation Society, a sacred potluck feast, a grand parade leading a May queen through the streets of Ganges, and a dance around the maypole (borrowing from the English tradition).

"This is a time to celebrate the renewal of life, youthful energy and the vitality of spring. It is said to be high time to see elves, swan-maidens, nature spirits and otherworldly wights," Miller said.

Freeholders define themselves as pagans and heathens and they aim to overcome stereotypes that classify their ancestors as a bunch of illiterate barbarians who looted and pillaged their neighbors, Miller said.

He's been practicing the ancient Nordic religion for the past 20 years.

Heathen practitioners have suffered discrimination since Ethelbert of Kent outlawed the Nordic Religion between 600 and 700 A.D., he said.

And the discrimination continued in Canada until the Charter of Rights and Freedoms protected religious expression in 1984, he said.

Even then, Miller recalls how a pagan stone circle was found on the island about 15 years ago and that the Driftwood subsequently ran a story about "Satanists on Saltspring."

But the situation has improved over the years and now Miller can count hundreds of islanders who've attended Yuletide and May-day festival in recent years, he said.

According to Miller, the Freehold Society has been growing rapidly with some 50-60 members in B.C.

"Our purpose is not to recruit new members or convert people," he noted.

The upcoming festival aims to generate goodwill along with natural spirituality.

"We'd like to invite everyone, especially pagans, who'd like to be a part of it."

Help is welcomed, including fundraising, volunteers, vendors and entertainers, he said.

For more information, contact Dan Miller by e-mail (contact@bc-freehold.org).

© 2007, Gulf Islands Driftwood

© 2008, Heathen Freehold Society
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