IGLULIK - Iglulik's festival to mark the return of the sun is marking its 35th year next weekend, even as people are noticing the sun is returning earlier.

Madeline Ivalu, left, Susan Avingaq and Lydia Qaunaq take a break during Iglulik's Return of the Sun festival's opening ceremonies last year. Ivalu is an actress and performer, Avingaq is a traditional singer and Qaunaq is an Inuktitut language specialist. This year's festival will be from Jan. 21 to 25. - photo courtesy of Micah Arreak

The festival, started in 1976, will be from Jan. 21 to 25 this year, with the opening ceremonies at Ataguttaaluk Elementary, said Micah Arreak, the hamlet's wellness co-ordinator and one of the organizers of the festival.

Arreak hopes there will be more for everyone this year as the festival's budget has more than tripled from last year's budget of $6,000.

Some of the activities planned include hunting events, a feast, a free sleepover in iglus, free dog-team rides, a fashion show and a chance for all to eat country food, chat and socialize, said Arreak.

She added they will also have competitions for the best modern Inuit clothing and traditional garment, such as caribou parkas and other winter clothing, not to mention Inuktitut singing and drum dancing.

"This is a highlight of the year, even if it's in January. It's great to start the year with celebrations. "

That's a sentiment shared by Mayor Lucasie Ivvalu.

"It's a celebration of the community. It shows that life will be easier from now on because the light is coming back," he said.

But Arreak said the event will not coincide with the actual return of the sun, as she said it came out two weeks early.

"It's brighter this time around, compared to last year. We've had, not the whole sun but partial sun, throughout December and January," she said. "We usually have twilight, no sun until January when it comes out. But this time, it has been visible all throughout the winter."

The elders feel uncomfortable and uneasy about the situation, said Arreak, but the community has mixed feelings towards it. She added elders think it may be due to climate change.

"The elders are saying the world has moved a little bit. They know this by observing the location of the stars and the sun," she said.

Scientists say the increased amount of light in winter is due to warmer air allowing light to refract (or bend) farther, making the sun appear higher in the sky than it used to be, lengthening winter days.

Ivvalu said this past Jan. 8, the sky was red followed by light blue daylight.

"It's coming around earlier and it's much brighter than it used to be when it's coming back. We celebrate the return of the sun with great pride," he said.

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