2021 WORDMARK SPEAKS TO WHAT WE’RE ALL LONGING FOR– WARMTH AND TOGETHERNESS
Saint-Boniface, MB – Voyageurs in 1815 were a hearty bunch, constantly adapting to changing circumstances and working as a team much like Manitobans have been doing over the past nine months. Today, Festival du Voyageur announces plans for a safe, modified celebration in February with the release of the 2021 wordmark designed by Jordan Stranger.
2021 WORDMARK
“We wanted to work with Jordan again this year because we loved what he created for the festival last year, a symbol of kinship between Indigenous and Francophone people. We want to continue building on this relationship that we feel Jordan represents beautifully through his art. He has invested himself personally in the festival, and that meant a lot to us,” said Darrel Nadeau, Executive Director of Festival du Voyageur.
The entire logo is made to represent the Sacred Fire that’s at every ceremony lighting our way and the warmth and closeness that so many are missing throughout the pandemic.
“Throughout the logo, I wanted it to be more about the warmth, the space, the culture and the energy that’s always at Festival,” said Jordan Stranger, designer of this year’s wordmark. “And the energy at Festival is always amazing.”
The people on either sides of the logo are distanced but with their arms open, ready to embrace when we are able. The figure at the top reflects the element of the Creator from last year’s logo but represented as a sun this year to bring out that warmth and the focus on the outdoors. Holding the entire piece together is a canoe representing the trying times that we’re all in together – navigating these new, uncharted waters.
Stranger is a visual artist who communicates the importance of life, culture and acceptance. His works are deeply rooted in the traditions within contemporary Indigenous culture. As an Oji-Cree individual, Stranger uses his life experiences to drive his artistic passions.
THE FESTIVAL
With the world around us looking so different, so will Festival du Voyageur 2021. Even though it will be different than year’s past, Festival du Voyageur is committed to bringing you the joie de vivre we’re used to feeling every February.
The 2021 edition will feature:
- A series of virtual concerts and events presented by Caisse Financial Group and Bell MTS
- French–Canadian meal kits that you can take home and enjoy with a virtual show
- Virtual versions of classic Festival du Voyageur contests like the Beard Growing Contest, Pea Soup Competition, Fiddling Contest and the Jigging Contest
- A series of educational vignettes on Métis culture in partnership with the Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba
- A series of instructional videos showing Manitobans “How to Festival from Home”
- A modified Canada Life School Program that brings fur trade and Indigenous histories into schools with pre-made craft kits, virtual presentations from Fort Gibraltar and free educational activities for teachers and parents
If public health orders allow it at the time, the festival will also feature an emphasis on distanced, cohorted and one-directional outdoor activities with visual art installations, snow, ice and wooden sculptures, and historical interpretation presented by Université de Saint-Boniface at a much-reduced capacity. We also hope to present a safe, distanced evening experience for adults titled the Liquor Mart Labyrinth.
In planning the 2021 edition, Festival du Voyageur is keeping public health guidelines and the health and well-being of festivalgoers, artists and team members at the forefront. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, so will the plans for Festival du Voyageur.
In the meantime, Festival du Voyageur encourages everyone to wear a mask, stay home as much as possible and to take care of one another in a safe way.
Stay up to date on what we have on offer from February 12 to 21, 2021 by visiting our website at heho.ca and following us in Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
