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Scandinavian Cultural Center

March-April 2007

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Edvard Grieg—Norway’s Greatest Composer—in Story and Song

Marilyn Vondra, Soloist

Natalya Kalendarev, Pianist — Ed Larson, Narrator

 

Sunday, March 4, 2007, 3:00 pm

 

Scandinavian Cultural Center

Pacific Lutheran University

$5.00 at the door

 

An original concert created by New York soprano Marilyn Vondra features seventeen beautiful songs by Edvard Grieg in their original language (fourteen Norwegian, and three German). Marilyn Vondra has performed leading operatic roles with regional and Manhattan opera companies. Her performances have been critically acclaimed by The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Opera News.

 
Edvard Grieg painted with musical notes. He painted the people, the scenery, and the moods of Norway. In the immortal Peer Gynt Suites, Grieg captured the rising of the sun, and the lamenting of a death, and, in "The Hall of the Mountain King," the imagery of a chase scene. The Scandinavian Cultural Center Council is proud to present this concert in tribute to Norway’s greatest composer.

Norway and the Oslo Centre’s

Role in International Work for Peace and Human Rights

 

An address by Kjell Magne Bondevik

Former Prime Minister of Norway

(1997-2000, 2001-2005)

 

Tuesday, March 6, 2007, 7:30 pm

 

Chris Knutzen Hall, University Center

Pacific Lutheran University
Admission is Free

Just over a year ago, former Prime Minister of Norway, Kjell Magne Bondevik, established a new foundation, the Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Rights.  The foundation was established to give people with international experience and competence an organization through which to promote peace and human rights and to combat global poverty.

Prime Minister Bondevik’s speech will address the role that culture and religion have played in conflicts in the Middle East, the Balkans, and Africa.  His address will propose that it is possible to reverse this tendency toward conflict, and will focus on two complementary ways to foster global peace.

 A reception follows in the Scandinavian Cultural Center.

Smuler fra Presidenten. . . 

Christmas in January was great! Well, what I mean to say is that the weather-delayed Nordic Christmas Fest held on January 27^th was great. A delightful evening. Wonderful food, everything from Finnish rutabaga puree (lanttulaatikko) and Jansson’s Temptation to sweet and sour cabbage (surkål) and potato lefse. And there was more than enough of the delicacies for everyone to enjoy.  The “silent auction” offered a number of wonderful items. I even managed to get a DVD copy of “Finding Thea.” The documentary film, produced by Lucy Ostrander and Nancy Bourne Haley, was shown that evening, and I was delighted to “find” a much more attractive and inspiring Thea Foss than the one portrayed by Hollywood in the multiple versions of “Tugboat Annie.”

Speaking of learning new things, I was surprised—and impressed—by some of the things I recently came upon in our Norwegian American Weekly—aka Western Viking. I knew that Norway exported a lot of stone to various European countries, but I was surprised to learn that Norway also exports top quality marble to Italy! And I was glad to learn that Jan Egeland, who until recently served as the United Nation’s emergency aid coordinator, is returning to the United Nations. He has been asked by the new UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to serve as an emissary for the Secretary-General and as a special adviser in conflict negotiations.

And Norway’s consumer ombudsman, Bjørn Erik Thon, has declared that Apple Inc’s iTunes violates Norwegian law by forcing consumers to play downloaded music only on Apple’s iPod. Apple will face legal action in a Norwegian court if by October of this year they have not made downloaded music accessible to competing music players. Other European countries have objected to Apple’s restrictive practices, but Norway is actually taking the lead in doing something about it.

I was especially surprised to learn that Norway possibly may develop and build a new type of nuclear reactor, an accelerator driven reactor based on thorium instead of the much more dangerous uranium. Professor Egil Lillestøl of the University of Bergen (and the European Research Center for Particle Physics, CERN, in Geneva, Switzerland) argues that thorium promises what uranium has never delivered: abundant, safe and clean energy, together with a way to eliminate radioactive waste. The process produces no waste that can be used for nuclear weapons. And, remarkably, much of the world’s thorium reserves are found in Norway, specifically, in Fensfelted in Telemark!

I thought to myself “good for them!”  Good for us!

Here at the Scandinavian Cultural Center, we are looking forward to another great year. There will be some dislocation of a few of our activities as the University Center at PLU is undergoing major renovations this spring and summer. Most of our planned events are going ahead, so note carefully the time and location of these events on the Calendar of Events page of each issue of the Scandinavian Scene. Recently, you received information about our next two exciting events—which are not affected by the renovations: “Edvard Grieg in Story and Song” with soloist Marilyn Vondra, and an address by the former Prime Minister of Norway, Kjell Bondevik, discussing the Oslo Centre’s role in international work for peace and human rights.  See you there!

Gunnulf Myrbo

From the Scandinavian Studies Program . . .

 

Before the end of fall semester, students and faculty in the Scandinavian Studies Program gathered for PLU Folkehøyskole 2006, a Norwegian language weekend filled with Nordic meals, games, music, and discussions of current topics of Norwegian society. Over fifteen students from first-, second-, and third-year Norwegian language classes were joined by two Norwegian international students, and the faculty of the program, Troy Storfjell and Claudia Berguson. From Friday evening until Sunday morning, the camp, owned by a Greek Orthodox organization, took on a Norwegian character as the smells of coffee and fish cakes, the sounds of Norwegian music and language, and the signs to “Snakk norsk!” immersed the group in Norwegian culture and language. Students preparing meals looked for the ostehøvel and saft, those playing Scrabble asked “Er det et ord?” and discussion of multiculturalism introduced students to new terms such as urbefolkning and mangfold.  Evenings of folk dancing, singing, and reading around the fire created a true break from campus life and the classroom.

Students played an active role in planning the weekend. They created informational flyers, organized teams to prepare meals and clean up after the meal, and they led the group in working to use Norwegian in conversation. Students were very positive about their experiences, reporting that they learned a lot of Norwegian, were challenged by the diverse topics and activities, and even acquired a taste for pea stew and brown cheese!

This was the first such weekend offered by the Scandinavian Studies Program, but it will certainly not be the last.  The cost of the weekend for students was defrayed by support from the Scandinavian Studies Program, the Division of Humanities, and the Wang Center for International Programs. Plans are already underway for next year’s immersion weekend.

Claudia Berguson and Troy Storfjell  <www.plu.edu/~scan>

 

Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection

The collection in the Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library of Pacific Lutheran University contains materials relating to Scandinavian immigrants who settled in the United States, particularly in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. By studying these historical records, personal memoirs, and the books read and preserved by the immigrants, students and researchers may gain a deeper insight into the diverse experiences of the Scandinavian immigrants. For more information, visit their website:  <www.plu.edu/~archives/sie/sie_index.html>

 Kerstin Ringdahl, Archivist

Scandinavian Cultural Center’s Permanent Artifact Collection Continues to Grow

The SCC currently houses over 2,000 artifacts from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The growth of the collection is dependent upon the generosity of our members and members of the community. These artifacts represent the immigrant story as well as the contemporary art and culture of Scandinavia. The collection includes costumes, paintings, woodcrafts, carvings, and ceramics that serve as tangible evidence of a heritage appreciated and preserved for the education and enjoyment of generations come. During the past twelve months, several pieces have been added to the collection. We are grateful to our donors and wish to extend our sincere appreciation for their generosity and for supporting the Scandinavian Cultural Center in such a significant and meaningful way

 

Linda Caspersen Andresen, Gig Harbor, WA

Norwegian sewing machine (that once belonged to her grandmother, Jenny Løkken, from Gardermoen), Danish wooden clogs, Norwegian Hardanger glass beaded belt (over 100 years old), and Swedish doll dressed in a Rättvik costume.

 

Lois Clausen, Bremerton, WA

Rosemaled bowls painted by master painters in 1981. Ingebjorg Loftsgarden painted in Telemark design (left) and Eli Sælid painted in Valdres design (right).

 

Maren Johnson, Tacoma, WA

Danish Bing and Grondahl “Christmas Eve in America” collector’s plate. “Christmas Eve at the White House” (right) is the second edition in this ten-plate series. The SCC collection now includes Christmas Eve at the Lincoln Memorial, in Alaska, in San Francisco, at the Statue of Liberty, and at the Water Tower in Chicago.

 

Pat Kelley, Portland, OR

Lundeby bunad (jumper, blouse, hat, and purse). The Lundebybunad comes from Gudbrandsdalen in the Oppland District (eastern Norway), and was designed by Ulf Lundeby. The photo on the right reveals the intricate floral design embroidered in pinks, greens, and yellows. Pat’s collection of instruction books for making bunads and knitted sweaters were donated to the University’s Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection.

 

Rosemary Duncan, Beavercreek, OH

Norwegian Hardanger bunad (skirt, vest, beaded breastplate and belt, white blouse and apron, solje and earrings). The bunad belonged to Rosemary’s mother, longtime SCC member Bella DeRosa. Pictured left are Bella and her great granddaughter, Cara Ann Maxi,  both   wearing Bella’s costume. We are honored  that  the family chose to donate Bella’s costume to the SCC where  it will  be cared for and enjoyed by generations to come.

 

Beverly Lund, Puyallup, WA

Collection of fishhooks manufactured by O. Mustad & Son, Christiania, Norway (left). The collection contains 24 ringed rustproof fishhooks in various sizes in a custom made case. Beverly wrote: “This item was found at a garage sale, so its history is unknown. I couldn’t take the chance of it not being saved at the end of the day, and bought it. I have no Norwegian ancestry, but felt the SCC might be able to use it. I am glad it has found a good home.”

 

Bonnie Andersen, Napa, CA

Exquisite Norwegian  Hardanger embroidered  tablecloth that measures 72x48” (right). Bonnie also donated  a  six-piece Hardanger bunad (not pictured), similar to the DeRosa costume shown above.

 

Inge Miller, Tacoma, WA

Danish wooden children’s toys (circa 1950), and Danish hand embroidered linen wall hanging (circa 1965).

Janet Ruud, Tacoma, WA

Finnish Porvoon Mitta reproduction. During the time when Finland was subjected to Swedish rule, it was the responsibility of the bailiff to collect duties for the crown (e.g., corn and spirits). The Porvoon Mitta had a false bottom, and when he collected duties, he used the bigger end of the cup. When he surrendered the duties to the king, he turned the cup over and used the shallow end to get the official measure of the crown, keeping  the surplus for himself. 

 

Linda Russo, Tacoma, WA

Danish Bing and Grondahl porcelain tile (left) used to cover the hole in the stovepipe when the stove was not in use. Linda’s collection of Icelandic books and record albums were donated to the Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection.

 

Nancy Jean White, Graham, WA

Porcelain collector’s plate depicting Norway’s current king and queen, HRH Harald and HRH Sonja, when they were crown prince and princess.

 

 

 

March/April 2007 Calendar of Events

[NOTE: There will be no public hours from April 1 through September 1 due to building renovation.]

Exhibits

Art of the Craft, February 1 through March 31. Public Hours: Sun 1-4 pm, Tue/Wed 11am-3 pm

The exhibition showcases the art crafted by Scandinavian artisans through selected items from the SCC permanent artifact collection. With a focus on woven tapestries and textiles, the exhibit draws from other motifs such as oil painting, porcelain making, decorative painting, and wood carving. The SCC artifact collection currently consists of over 2,000 pieces, and continues to grow thanks to the tremendous generosity of the Nordic community. (See article on Pages 4-5.)

Meetings

Danish Sisterhood, March 7 (No meeting in April), 9:30 am, 253-843-2249

Hardanger Embroidery Group, March 14 (No meeting in April), 9:30 am, 253-759-7292

Danish Sangaften, March 18 (No meeting in April), 6pm, 253-984-6700

Norwegian Rosemalers Group, March 21 and 28 (No meetings in April), 9:30 am, 253-841-3392

Executive Board, March 19, 4:45 pm, UC 214 — April 16, 4:45 pm, Admin 208

SCC Council, March 19, 5:30 pm, SCC— April 16, 5:30 pm, Admin 208

 

Classes

Nordic Dance Classes, Sundays, February 11-March 18, 2-4 pm — We are happy to report that the classes are full to capacity and are going very well!

Nordic Cooking Classes, 10 am to 1 pm, $5 per person per class. Reservations not required.

 Norwegian: Tuesday, March 13, Saturday, March 17, Thursday, March 22
   Swedish: Thursday, March 15 
   Danish: Tuesday, March 20

Contact: Kathrina Jaech: 253-584-2690 or

Intermediate Norwegian Language Classes, Mondays, 6-9 pm. Contact: Audun Toven 
    (253-536-8392)

Beginning Norwegian Language Classes, Tuesdays, 6-9 pm. Contact: Audun Toven
    (253-536-8392)

Swedish Language Classes, Mondays, 6-9 pm. Contact: Kerstin Ringdahl (253-535-7586)

 

Major Events

Edvard Grieg in Story and Song, Sunday, March 4, 3 pm.  Reservations not required. 
$5 admission at the door.  PLU students free.

 
Norway and the Oslo Centre’s Role in International Work for Peace and Human Rights, an address by Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway, Tuesday, March 6, 7:30 pm, Chris Knutzen Hall, University Center.  Admission is free.  Reception follows in the Scandinavian Cultural Center.

 

News and Notes

 

 

Welcome New Members! Our membership continues to grow with the addition of four new members: Jefri and Willis Twiner (University Place), and Donald and Rietta DeVries (Puyallup).

 

Discover Norway! Join Nordmanns-Forbundet and the SCC for the hike of a lifetime on The Pilgrims’ Road (Pilgrimsleden) to Nidaros (Trondheim), July 21-29, 2007. Contact tour guide Audun Toven for more information: 253-536-8392 or <tovenat@plu.edu>.

 

"Through Hell and High Water" Documentary: If you were unable to see this fabulous documentary when it was shown in the SCC in January, you have another opportunity to see it on Friday, March 16, 7:00 pm, at the Sons and Daughters of Norway Lodge, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 22nd and College Street, Lacey, WA. The award-winning documentary tells the story of Nancy Eide, an 18-year-old Norwegian girl living in Hammerfest, and Archie Kelly, one of the sailors who took part in the British Navy’s most daring rescue near the end of World Wart II. It is the story of courage in the face of adversity and shows the determination of the human spirit to fight for freedom at all costs. Nancy Kelly will be available to answer questions.
$3 (Lodge Members & Students), $5 (General). Info: (360-438-0552).

Embla's Immigrant Women: A Centennial Celebration

You are cordially invited to join the members of Embla Lodge No. 2, Daughters of Norway,

for our 100th Birthday Celebration

Sunday, April 22, 2007, 2:00 to 5:00 pm

$20.00 per person

Normanna Hall

1106 South 15th Street, Tacoma, Washington

RSVP to Chris Engstrom

2053 North Fremont Street

Tacoma, WA 98406-2525

253-752-5361

Payments must be received by March 15, 2007

 

 

Scandinavian Cultural Center

Pacific Lutheran University

122nd and South Park Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98447
Ph: 253-535-7532   Email: scancntr@plu.edu   Edit