Swedish Royalty to Visit Burnaby

 Swedish Royalty amongst many to Visit Scandinavian Community Centre During Olympic Games

 

Burnaby, B.C. (January 22, 2010 )-A series of events and visitors will reach its high point at the Scandinavian Community Centre when Sweden House Society will be hosting a private reception honouring the Swedish royal couple, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia Bernadotte during their visit to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games. The February 25^th reception will include a performance by the Swedish School children and a tour of the centre.

 

Stefan Wallin, Finland’s Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth will be on hand to officially open “Scandinavia House”, the 2010 games hub for Scandinavians, Canadians and visitors alike on February 12^th.

 

The Scandinavian Community Centre will be a games live site from February 12 – 28^th, 9 am to 12 pm, for event viewing, daily programs, special guest visits and seminar speakers including former athletes.  Several big screen TVs have been installed to televise local programming events as well as European real-time streaming broadcasts provided by Finnish broadcaster YLE.  The public is invited to watch the games at the centre. Entry is free.

 

“This is going to be a fun and exciting place during the Olympics”, says Program Chair, Kyosti Sutela.  “We have turned the hall and fireside lounge into an outdoor winter village to create a winter sports-like atmosphere.  There is a large Scandinavian immigrant community in Metro Vancouver and joined by tourists and local sports enthusiasts you can’t help but get excited about cheering on the athletes when you walk into this dynamic place”, he adds.

 

Visitors will be able to enjoy a light breakfast and fully catered meals for lunch and dinner with a licenced bar open daily.  The centre will accommodate large groups and advanced meals selections are available at a reasonable cost.

 

The Scandinavian Centre is a non-profit organization which strives to preserve and promote Nordic culture, community and spirit within Greater Vancouver.  Jointly owned by four charitable organizations, Danish, Finland, Sweden and Norway House Societies the centre is the only facility in the world which is collectively operated by all five Scandinavian nationalities (including Iceland) and has over 3000 members.

 

The SCC runs various programs such as language classes, folk dancing, choir groups, music lessons and is the home of the European Festival as well as The Midsummer Festival held annually in June. Facility rentals are available with seating capacity up to 224, an outdoor pavilion and bb pit.