Viking Magazine - Nov/Dec 2023 - 30

CULTURE CONNECTION
NEWS
Idea Bank:
Santa Lucia
Service
A Special Visit
In mid-September, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre visited Mindekirken
Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in South Minneapolis, and
later joined Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar at Norway House to
discuss Norwegian-American relations, climate change and the war in
Ukraine. Anniken Krutnes, Norway's Ambassador to the U.S. was also in
attendance. It was the first time a Norwegian prime minister has visited
Minnesota since 2009. Minnesota is home to approximately 840,000
Norwegian Americans, representing the second-largest population of
Norwegians outside of Norway.
The Swedish Christmas (jul) begins
on December 13, known as Lucia Day.
This festival has been celebrated in many
provinces since the Middle Ages, and
for centuries, its traditions have been
passed down through generations. There
are many legends, but in each one, Lucia
becomes the symbol of light and hope to
mankind. She comes on the darkest day
of the year to herald the glad Christmas
time. Log in to sofn.com to review Idea
Bank #15 for ideas to celebrate St. Lucia
Day at your lodge, including a sample
program, news release and songs.
ON OUR RADAR
Making Folk Costumes:
A History of Craftmanship,
Patience and the Love of
Traditions
November 19, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (CST)
Online via Zoom
Genealogy Guide
Are you looking to learn more about
your ancestors and where they
came from? Sons of Norway has
several genealogy resources to help
trace your family roots. Download
a copy of the Genealogy Cultural
Skills Program and the Genealogy
Guide to learn about Norwegian
emigration, names and geography.
Log in at sofn.com.
30
Nov/Dec 2023
Join Barbro Tronhuus Storlien for a lecture
on Norwegian folk costumes. Norway
has a variety of more than 450 different
folk costumes, and many of these have
intricate embroideries. Many of the folk
costumes are easily recognizable while
others are more unknown. In this lecture,
Storlien will talk about the differences
and similarities between the Norwegian
areas, show some of the techniques and
raise the important question: How do
we keep this knowledge alive for future
generations? Storlien is a certified maker
of folk costumes, who, in addition to
having her own studio, teaches the art
of embroidering and assembling folk
costumes. Visit store.vesterheim.org to
register (required) for this free event.
Tomte and Nisse
Christmas Stories
December 2, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (CST)
Online via Zoom
Get cozy this Christmas with stories about
nisse and tomte, the mythological creatures
from Norwegian and Swedish folklore
today typically associated with the winter
solstice and the Christmas season. These
hidden folk bring good luck to the farm
all year long, take care of the animals (in
the woods as well as the barn), and keep
mischievous trolls at bay. And all they ask
in exchange is a big bowl of rice pudding on
Christmas Eve. Visit store.vesterheim.org to
register (required) for this free event.
sonsofnorway.com
PHOTO JANA VELO ILLUSTRATION ADOBE/VIARUNIA
http://www.sofn.com http://store.vesterheim.org http://store.vesterheim.org http://www.sofn.com http://www.sonsofnorway.com
Viking Magazine - Nov/Dec 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - Nov/Dec 2023
