The SCC Council is proud to exhibit the watercolors and pastels of
artist Sharon Aamodt. The subject matter for Sharon's art
includes Fjord horses, and tomtar (Christmas elves), Scandinavian
holidays, and landscapes, but the major part of her work depicts the
national costumes from the Nordic countries. Each piece features
an exquisite background of tapestry, art, or landscape, in combination
with authentically detailed costumes in the foreground that
make her
art unique and visually stunning.
The granddaughter of immigrants from Norway and Sweden, interest in
Sharon’s Nordic roots was sparked by a high school writing assignment
to research her heritage. Her art almost exclusively depicts some
aspect of life in Scandinavia, especially holidays that illustrate
happy times in the lives of people for whom life was often very
difficult. She hopes that her art will help link people to their past.
Sharon has received numerous awards, including first place ribbons from
the Scandinavian American Art Society, the Ebell Club of Los Angeles,
the Santa Paula Art Society, and the Western Washington Fair Fine Art
Show.
Opening Reception
Sunday, January 22, 2:00 PM
Meet the artist, enjoy delicious refreshments,
and take advantage of the opportunity to
purchase prints of her work. Free admission.
Join the Felici Trio in a Swedish adventure with Findus, the sassy
tomcat and the old farmer Pettersson. Sparkling with tunes by
composers Joseph Haydn, W.A. Mozart, Johanes Brahms, and Dmitri
Shostakovich, the concert playfully introduces children of all ages to
the sounds of classical music. Drawings bv Swedish illustrator/author
Sven Nordqvist render a loving and detailed portrayal of Findus and
Pettersson, who live on a Swedish farm. The Felici Trio, musical
home to Taiwanese pianist Wen-Ting Huang, German violinist Rebecca
Hang, and Seattlelite Brian Schuldt, cello, is a microcosm uniting the
cultures of three continents with love for music. Graduates of Indiana
University’s renowned School of Music in Bloomington, and prize winners
at the Chesapeake, Yellow Springs and Osaka International Chamber Music
Competitions, the vibrant Felicis have performed over 300 concerts in
the U.S., Europe, and South America. (See Calendar on Page 6 for
admission prices.)
On Sunday, February 26, at 2:00 PM, the SCCC will host a lecture and
book-signing event featuring author Solveig Torvik. Ms. Torvik
will discuss and read from her newly published book, Nikolai's Fortune,
a multigenerational historical novel based on the lives of her
ancestors in Finland, Norway, and Idaho. Admission is free.
Nikolai's Fortune is an amazing saga of endurance and suffering,
presenting an obviously well researched and honest view of life from
the mid 1800's to mid 1900's. The reader becomes easily absorbed
in this fascinating story of three remarkable women and their families.
Ms. Torvik, born in Oslo, Norway, in 1939, was a reporter, editor, and
columnist at the Seattle Post -Intelligencer for thirty years.
She was also a reporter for United Press International in Salt Lake
City and for the San Francisco Chronicle, and an editor at the San Jose
Mercury News. She is now retired and lives in Winthrop,
Washington.
The Nordic Christmas Fest on December 17 drew one of largest crowds
ever. Arriving guests were invited to view the annual “Christmas
in Scandinavia” exhibit, have a traditional glass of glögg, and sample
the tasty hors d’oeuvres. Master of Ceremonies Ed Larson
introduced the SCC Council members and thanked the evening's sponsors,
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (Knut Olson, General Partner) and
Harold A. Allen Realtors (Michael Larson, President/Designated
Broker). Ed also announced the wonderful news that Viking Bank,
with a donation of $5,000, will join Wells Fargo Management (Dale
Benson) as the SCC's Presenting Sponsors for the year 2006. After
a greeting from PLU Provost Jim Pence and an invocation by Rev. Kenneth
Christopherson, the bounteous buffet, prepared by caterer Gayle Orth,
was enjoyed by all.
Throughout the evening, guests were encouraged to participate in a
Silent Auction. Five people, in the true spirit of fund raising
for the SCC (and motivated by the desire to win a marsipan pig!) paid
the "Guaranteed Purchase Price" of 150% of the value of the item.
The other items sold for very close to the retail price to raise a
total of $1,125! Thanks were extended to the donors of the
auction items: Laura Almaas (Chalet in the Woods), Linda
Caspersen-Andresen, Embla Lodge #2 (Daughters of Norway), Karen Giguere
(PLU Northwest and Scandinavian Gift Shop), Laila Hanson, Geir Ness
(creator of "Laila" perfume), Jan Pence, Janet Ruud, Astrid Karlsen
Scott (Nordic Adventures), and Jeanette Wiggins (Strictly Scandinavian
Gift Shop). Three of the auction items were donated by artist
Sharon Aamodt, whose watercolors are currently on display in our newest
exhibit entitled “Nordic Imagery.”
After the auction closed, SCC Director Susan Young was called to the
stage by SCC Council President Janet Ruud to receive a Christmas gift
from the Council, a small token of gratitude for the many hours that
Susan works above and beyond the call of duty!
The evening’s entertainment was provided by Joseph Pettit, Director
of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church, who sang and played the piano
beautifully, led the audience in the singing of favorite Nordic
Christmas carols, and enticed a cameo dance performance from Lise
Hedegaard and Janet Ruud! The evening ended with the singing of
"Silent Night,” and with the wish to all for a Blessed Christmas and
Peace in the New Year.
Discover Norway in the footsteps of the Pilgrims. The
Scandinavian Cultural Center and the Norse Federation offer two
“pilgrimages” through Norway next summer. The pilgrims in last
summer’s trek (pictured right) raved about the experience and encourage
everybody who is in reasonably good health to take advantage of this
unique experience. The eight-day trips are scheduled for July
21-29 and August 5-13, and will originate in Oslo. Pilgrims will
visit well-known cities like Hamar and Lillehammer on the way to
Trondheim. For more information go to <www.norseman.no> or
contact Audun Toven at <tovenat@plu.edu> or phone 253-536-8392.
Valle Vidaregaande Skule from Setesdal to visit Gig Harbor. Music
students from Valle in Setesdal will once again be touring the west
coast and will present a concert in Gig Harbor on Sunday, March 5, 3:00
PM, at Believer's Fellowship Church (4112 Hunt Street NW) The
concert will feature vocal and instrumental music from Norway.
Admission: $5. Contact Laila Hansen for more information.,
253-851-5707.
Govig book published posthumously. Long-time SCC member Stewart
D. Govig died unexpectedly in April, just six weeks before his
manuscript went to publication. The book, Ronald Fangen: Church
and Culture in Norway, chronicles the life of a remarkable Norwegian
novelist and dramatist who attempted to persuade the church to
appreciate and learn from the arts, since such efforts would support
the proclamation of the church’s message. The book is now
available in the PLU bookstore and as an e-book from Amazon.com.
National experts cite PLU as the first university to offer study-away
on seven continents. The campus of PLU spans the globe in January
with classes convening in Windhoek, Beijing, Melbourne, Milan, Lima,
Neah Bay, and on the Antarctic peninsula. “In 2006, the U.S.
Senate-designated Year of Study Abroad, it is fitting and trailblazing
for Pacific Lutheran University to be offering January term programming
on all seven continents,” said Mary M. Dwyer, president of the
Institute for the International Education of Students and commissioner
of the Abraham Lincoln Congressional Commission on Study Abroad.
“PLU’s commitment to education abroad puts PLU in the forefront of
undergraduate education, where education abroad is no longer a frill
but rather central to a high quality college education,” she said.
From Amy Wickstrom, Executive Director, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra.
On behalf of the TSO, I would like to thank everyone at the SCC for
your help in promoting Scandinavian Smörgåsbord, a very special event
to begin the 2005/2006 season. The concert's theme made the
evening especially meaningful and helped us to make many new friends in
the community. The TSO is proud to play a vital role in the dynamic
cultural life of the South Sound. The season is off to a
wonderful start and we look forward to many exciting concerts in the
months ahead. I hope you will join us again!
Endowing the Future....
When the SCC Endowment Fund was established three years ago, we set a goal of raising $1 million. That money will allow us to ensure and expand the services and programs currently offered, helping to preserve Scandinavian heritage and traditions at PLU and throughout the Greater Puget Sound area. Please continue to remember the SCC in your charitable giving and estate planning.
—Maynard Hedegaard, Endowment Committee Chair
The Christmas season in Sweden traditionally begins with the Sankta
Lucia Celebration, and so it is at Pacific Lutheran University. On
December 2nd, the Scandinavian Cultural Center, in partnership with
IKEA- Seattle, presented the university’s 55th Annual Sankta Lucia
Fest. At the private “sashing” ceremony just before the program
in Laguerquest Hall, Courtney Swanson-Mellich was given the honor of
serving as Sankta Lucia 2005.
A group of fifteen PLU coeds took part in the three-day event which
included an evening of music, song, and refreshments on Friday evening
at PLU, Sankta Lucia Day at the IKEA store on Saturday, and a visit to
the Tacoma Lutheran Home on Sunday. As part of the selection
process, students are asked to submit written essays about the
importance of cultural diversity. The following are excerpts from
those essays: “Learning the language, geography, history, and
traditions of people who are different allows an individual to look at
the world without the distortion of an ethnocentric filter. . .With the
many cultures present in just the U.S., we as individuals cannot afford
to think our own culture is the only one that is important. . .To learn
about another culture is to learn about tolerance. . .Understanding
other cultures gives us the power to enjoy, learn, wonder, speculate,
give, help, care, and most importantly, love. . .The Lucia Fest is an
experience of culture through action, which is the best way to
understand and appreciate another culture. . .Learning about the
differences in cultures is an important part of our education and will
help us bring change to the world. . .It is extremely important in the
global world in which we live, that individuals, groups, and
institutions harbor an understanding of various cultures in order to
better work with one another. . .Learning about culture promotes the
idea that while individual societies can vary extremely, we are all
connected by and belong to a human culture.”
Where else, besides Pacific Lutheran University, might a little girl's
dream of being Sankta Lucia come true? Courtney's journey toward
fulfilling this dream began nearly twenty years ago when she heard the
Lucia legend for the first time from our Tasha Tudor Christmas
book. It quickly became her favorite story, and in later years
Courtney told me it was the lovely illustration, the tragedy, and the
strange word "pagan" that initially intrigued her. We lived in Stanwood
during this time and one Christmas, while browsing in a Scandinavian
gift shop, we discovered a Lucia doll. Courtney’s face filled with
wonder when she saw it—the porcelain, feather-winged doll seemed
magical! I think she remains our most cherished Christmas treasure.
True to the legend, on December 13th, five-year old Courtney, dressed
as Lucia (crown and all), brought coffee and buns to me in bed.
The Sankta Lucia story helped Courtney in choosing Pacific Lutheran
University and influenced her major in Scandinavian Studies.
Discovering the Scandinavian Cultural Center, on a senior college
visit, was the deciding factor in her college decision. She stated that
this campus felt like home. I don't think she could receive better
opportunities to learn, experience, and grow than here.—Janis Swanson
A few months before I came to look at PLU as a possible school choice,
I had returned from a trip to Norway. When I saw the Scandinavian
Cultural Center, I felt like I had found my own little corner of
Scandinavia. And, when I discovered that the Center hosted an
annual Sankta Lucia Fest, I knew immediately that I would be a part of
it. For three years I have had a wonderful time learning the
Swedish songs, making traditional Christmas decorations, and building a
connection with the Scandinavian Cultural Center and the people
involved with keeping this tradition alive here at PLU. This year
I was chosen as the Lucia and I couldn’t have been more proud. I
knew that I was a part of a time-honored tradition at this school and
that I would carry this honor with me throughout the rest of my
life. Someday, I will share the Lucia legend with my own
children.—Courtney Swanson-Mellich
Looking back, it can be said unequivocally that 2005 was a banner year
for programming in the Scandinavian Cultural Center, thanks to the
tremendous efforts put forth by the members of the SCC Council, and
countless other volunteers working behind the scenes. We
presented four Nordic exhibits: “Pathways to Peace: Art as Shared
Language,” “Historical Danish Costumes,” “Nordic Folk Art: The Florence
Buck Collection,” and “Christmas in Scandinavia.”
Swedish and Norwegian language classes, and Nordic cooking classes were
offered throughout the year. Folkart groups met regularly to share
techniques in Norwegian rosemaling and Hardanger embroidery. Many
private organizations continued to utilize the SCC for their monthly
meetings and holiday celebrations. Programs like the Nordic
Garden Party and the Laila Moe Concert, held in the Spring, were
enjoyed by all.
Several other major events coincided with significant milestones in the
history of the Nordic countries. April 2005 marked the 200th
anniversary of the birth of Denmark’s beloved author, Hans Christian
Andersen. The Council presented a five-day birthday celebration
that took place in the SCC and the surrounding community, thanks in
part to a generous grant from the Tacoma-Pierce County Arts Commission.
The year 2005 also marked Norway’s 100th year as an independent
nation. The SCC Council partnered with PLU’s Wang Center to
assist in the presentation of the “Pathways to Peace Symposium,” and
later we joined forces with several local Norwegian organizations to
present the “Norway Centennial Banquet” at which the first Tacoma Peace
Prize was awarded to George Russell. Several other events, like
the Robert Hedin Lecture and the Bill Halvorson Lecture also took place
in recognition of the centennial celebration.
In addition to the events already mentioned, the SCC was the site for
several annual events throughout the year: Danish Fastelavn, the
Norwegian Heritage Festival, the Harstad Lecture, the Swedish Sankta
Lucia Fest, the Nordic Christmas Fest, and the Norwegian Christmas
Service.
We are looking forward to yet another productive and eventful year, and
we wish each of you happiness and prosperity in 2006! —Susan
The Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection now has an online
subscription to Genline, the Swedish parish record images. It is
available for public use by appointment at least one day in
advance. When you contact us to schedule your appointment
(253-535-7586), we’ll need the ancestors’ dates and parishes of birth,
so we can verify that there will be Genline records for you to view
when you come. You may also want to visit the website on your own
at <http://www.genline.com/databasen/walk3.php>
Norway is in the process of compiling a similar database and as it comes available, we will subscribe to it.
Nordic Imagery: Watercolors by Sharon Aamodt—Exhibition and Sales—January 15 to April 30
Opening Reception, Sunday, January 22, 2:00 PM, Free Admission. (See Page 1)
Public Hours: Sundays, 1:00-4:00 PM, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Felici Trio—A Swedish Concert for Families (See Page 1), Saturday, February 25, 7:00 PM
General Admission $10, SCC Members $8, Students and Children 11 and under Free
Solveig Torvik Lecture and Booksigning (See Page 2), Sunday, February 26, 2:00 PM
Swedish Language Classes, Mondays, 6:00-9:00 PM, 253-535-7586
Intermediate Norwegian Language Classes, Mondays, 6:00-9:00 PM, 253-536-8392
Beginning Norwegian Language Classes begin Tuesday, January 17, 6:00-9:00 PM, 253-536-8392
Danish Sisterhood, Wednesdays, January 4 and February 1, 253-843-2249
Norwegian Hardanger Embroidery Group, Wednesday, January 11 (No meeting in February)
9:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Newcomers are welcome, 253-759-7292
Danish Sangaften, Sunday, February 19 (No meeting in January)
6:00-9:00 PM. Newcomers welcome, 253-984-6700
Norwegian Rosemalers Group, Wednesdays, January 18 and 25, February 15 and 22
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Newcomers welcome, 253-841-3392
SCC Executive Board, Mondays, January 23 and February 27, 4:45 PM, UC 214
SCC Council, Mondays, January 23 and February 27, 5:30 PM
Nordic Cooking Classes, March 11, 14, 18, 23, and 28
Reykjavik Wind Quintet, March 29
Timeless Style: Traditional to Contemporary, Nordic Fashion Show, April 22
Annual Norwegian Heritage Fest, April 29
Annual Spring Banquet, May 27
Sponsor ($1000 level)
Harold A. Allen Realtors, Michael Larson, President/Designated Broker
Major Sponsor($1001-$4999 level)
IKEA-Seattle
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Knut Olson, General Partner
Presenting Sponsor ($5000+ level)
Wells Fargo Management, Dale Benson
Viking Bank
PLU Scandinavian Studies Program Faculty:
Dr. Claudia Berguson and Dr. Troy Storfjell
With the end of the fall semester 2005, a number of Scandinavian
Studies students were congratulated for their achievements.
December 2 was an especially event-filled day for such accomplishments,
as it celebrated senior Tove Hansen’s successful completion of her
senior project, and the selection of this year’s Lucia scholarship
winner. For her capstone project, Tove presented a
well-researched study of cultural influences on modern Scandinavian
design. The project, written and presented in Norwegian, is the
culmination of four years of dedicated study of Norwegian language and
Scandinavian culture and literature. Congratulations to December
graduate Tove Hansen!
Scandinavian Studies student Courtney Swanson-Mellich was selected as
this year’s Lucia at the evening festivities in Lagerquist Hall.
The awarding of the Lucia scholarship is based on an interview and the
contents of an essay on diversity. Congratulations
Courtney! Congratulations also to Troy Storfjell, professor in
Scandinavian Studies, and his wife Kiana on the birth of their son
Nikolai on Thanksgiving Day! Congratulations to big brother Espen
as well.
During the months of January and February 2006, students studying in
Norway for the fall semester return to PLU from programs in Oslo and
Hedmark. One student attended the Scandinavian Urban Studies Term
at the University of Oslo, studying Norwegian language and Norway’s
multicultural urban society. Eight students attended PLU’s
program at Hedmark University College where they selected courses in
areas of Democracy, Development and Peace, Media and Communication and
Natural Resource
Management. The Hedmark program is distinct in
that its student participants come from Namibia as well as North
America and Europe. The program received high marks from students
for the unique tripartite living and learning experience linking
Norwegian, Namibian and American cultures in a comparative approach to
contemporary global issues. The Hedmark program concluded in Oslo with
attendance at the interview of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient,
and participation in the traditional torch light parade following the
Peace Prize ceremonies. The insights of these returned study
abroad students are sure to enrich our PLU campus community in 2006.
January term and spring semester courses in the Scandinavian Studies
program continue the program’s mission to prepare students for study,
life and work in the global community through providing specific
language skills, cross-cultural perspectives and knowledge of
Scandinavia in the world. Courses we teach this winter and spring
include Norwegian language, Nordic colonialism, and study of the
outsider in Scandinavian literature and film. In this new year of
2006 we also look forward to the celebration of the life and works of
the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen!
Submitted by Claudia Berguson
Chair, Scandinavian Studies Program
