Nordic exposure- Enjoy Nordic fun such as a Viking knife fight. 63559

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
CELEBRATE the culture and heritage of all of five Nordic countries with the second annual Nordic Festival in Warburton.
The unique two-day event has been organised by the Warburton Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the Victorian Nordic community.
On Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May Warburton will come alive with all things Nordic.
Festival Convener Leila Myllymaeki-Hay said visitors would be able to enjoy a Viking feast, a Viking re-enactment camp, traditional music, dancing and more.
“The aim of this event is not only to attract visitors to Warburton Valley but to introduce the locals to another culture without them having to leave the town,” Ms Myllymaeki-Hay said.
She said that the mountains and tall forests of the Upper Yarra were not a far stretch from the countryside in Northern Europe, and made for a perfect backdrop to the festival.
She said the town of Warburton had embraced the opportunity to ‘become Nordic’ for the weekend.
More highlights of the event include an ABBA dance party with tribute band BABBA, Viking Long Boat and artefacts display, films at the Mecca Theatre and a market selling Scandinavian products. This is a not-for-profit event and festival goers can download coupons from the website for specials to use at Warburton venues over the weekend. The program will be online soon at www.nordicfestival.org and any of the special events can be booked through the Upper Yarra Arts Centre on 5966 4500.