Toonik Tymes in Iqaluit, Baffin Island...
Tomorrow, April 7th, kicks off the annual Toonik Tymes Festival in Iqaluit, Baffin Island. Toonik Tymes celebrates the coming of Spring and the departure of the long, cold, dark Arctic Winter.
"Spring – that time of the year when the sun returns to the Arctic, the bitter cold surrenders and the days start getting longer. Since 1965, residents of Iqaluit have been celebrating it with Toonik Tyme – a week of games, music, competition and feasting. No matter who you are, you’ll find lots to see and during Toonik Tyme."
I had the privilege of being in Iqaluit in 2008 for the Toonik festival and remember it well, especially the dogsled race in which the team I was working with took part.
Iqaluit is the territorial capitol of Nunavut and the largest community on Baffin Island. In many ways it is similar to any small town in the south, but there is no mistaking you are in an Arctic community. Rich in history and culture, Iqaluit is the gateway to most of the communities on Baffin Island and heading north has always included a stopover in Iqaluit for my trips. I've found many friends in Iqaluit and look forward to stepping off the plane in July and experiencing the Summer version of the Arctic for the first time.
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"Never stop because you are afraid - you are never so likely to be wrong." - Fridtjof Nansen
