Newfoundland and Labrador has a great history of tradition surrounding fire, from kitchen woodstoves to “mug ups” to community bonfires to the longstanding province wide tradition of bonfires. The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL) in partnership with the Folklore 6740: Public Folklore graduate class, has organized a list of community events surrounding this tradition. In addition to this they have also hosted celebratory events for the Second Annual Festival of Fire: Bonfire Night, which took place early November. One such event, "Coffee and Culture" took place at The Rooms, where Alanna Wicks (Folklore MA Canadiate) interviewed three participants about their memories of bonfires. The group also hosted a variety show at Bitters Pub, all proceeds collected during the show were donated to the Shriners Hospital in aid of burn victims and their families.

For more information about this project please click hereto view an article written on the event in the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Update.

Fall 2011 Folklore 6740: Public Folklore Graduate Class Left - Right: Dr. Jillian Gould, Crystal Braye, Nicole Penney, Alanna Wicks, Amanda-Marie Hillyard, and Sandi Stewart

Coffee and Culture

Audio Part 1
Audio Part 2

Alanna Wicks (far left) interviewing participants during Coffee and Culture at The Rooms. (Photo credit: Crystal Braye)

Bitters Variety Show (November 1, 2011)