On March 29, at 8:00 PM, the Reykjavik Wind Quintet (RWQ) will present a concert in Lagerquist Hall (Mary Baker Russell Music Center). The event is sponsored by the SCC and the PLU Music Department. In lieu of an admission fee, donations will be gratefully accepted at the event.
The RWQ is based in the world’s northernmost capital, in the land of vikings, volcanoes, glaciers, and the midnight sun. This internationally acclaimed ensemble was established in 1981 by its present members, all key players in the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Individually, they are among the most prominent and active participants in Iceland’s vibrant musical community.
The quintet has made its reputation both at home and abroad, performing at major music festivals in a wide variety of venues throughout Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia. Their travels have taken them to some of the world’s most renowned concert houses, including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, and the Sydney Opera House.
As cultural ambassadors for Iceland, the group has accompanied former Icelandic President Vigðis Finnbógadóttir on state visits abroad and has appeared in command performances for such foreign dignitaries as Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and King Juan Carlos of Spain. The Reykjavik Wind Quintet was nominated for the Nordic Music Prize in 1995, and served as the official chamber ensemble of the city of Reykjavik from 1998-2000.
The quintet’s repertoire varies in style from the early classics to contemporary, including all of the standard masterpieces. The March 29 concert will include Icelandic works and world favorites from the other Nordic countries as well as a tribute to famous New Orleans jazz musicians of the past century.
(See calendar on p. 6 for dates and times)
President’s Message . . .
2006 has gotten off to a wonderful start with events like the Ibsen Evening, the Felici Trio, and the lecture/book signing by Solveig Torvik, all of which received rave reviews from attendees. A very special thank you goes to Betty and Ed Larson for their diligence and hard work in coordinating these programs for us.
We’ve heard similarly flattering remarks about our current exhibit, “Nordic Imagery.” The artist, Sharon Aamodt, will be available in
person to answer questions and offer prints for sale on March 12 and April 2 from 1-4 PM in the SCC. Not only will you be able to meet the artist, but you will save the shipping fees on your purchases!
The rest of 2006 is looking equally interesting! In addition to our usual Norwegian and Swedish language classes, five Nordic cooking classes are scheduled, and we are honored to have Gloria Pederson teach a series of beginning Hardanger embroidery classes. Dena Iverson, SCC member and well-known Rosemaler, will be offering a three-day Rosemaling workshop (using oils, not acrylics). See the calendar on p. 6 for details about all upcoming classes and events.
The SCC and the PLU Music Department are sponsoring the Reykjavik Wind Quintet, in Lagerquist Hall, on Wednesday, March 29 (See p. 1). There is no admission charge, but we hope you will be able to support our programs by making a generous donation at the event.
A Nordic fashion show and luncheon, “Timeless Style: Traditional to Contemporary,” is planned for April 22. You will see folk costumes from all Nordic countries, as well as modern fashions from Nordic designers. The cost will be $15 – watch for your invitation in the mail. You won’t want to miss the Norwegian Heritage Festival on April 29 (See pp. 4-5)! And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Annual Spring Banquet on May 27! —Vennlig hilsen! Janet
Contact me if you have questions or concerns!
(253-564-2832) or <ruudj1norw@aol.com>
presented by
Embla Lodge #2 - Daughters of Norway
Norden Lodge #233 - Vasa Order of America
Thyra Lodge #19 - Danish Sisterhood
Scandinavian Cultural Center
10:00 AM in the SCC
$5 per class - no registration necessary
Class participants receive
samples of foods demonstrated
Tunnbröd (Swedish flatbread)
Kåldolmar (Cabbage rolls)
Rosetter (Rosettes)
Swedish Quick Cookies
For information, call 253-564-8960
Smørbrød (three kinds of open-face sandwiches)
Avocado og grapefrukt salat
(Avocado and grapefruit salad)
Småbrød (Little cookies)
For information, call 253-838-4232
Sausekjøtt (Gravy meat)
Flatbrød (Norwegian flatbread)
Mor Monsens kaker (Mother Monsen’s cakes)
For information, call 253-564-2832
Pannukakku (Finnish oven pancake)
Sommer salat (Norwegian summer salad)
Blomkålsuppe (Cauliflower soup)
Kókostoppar (Icelandic Coconut Drops)
For information, call 253-838-4232
Frikadeller (Danish meat cakes)
Rødkål (Red cabbage)
Æblekage (Apple cake)
For information, call 253-539-0587
It may have been a good idea to foreworn everyone who attended the “Henrik Ibsen Evening” on January 29, by issuing the following notice: “Warning: Do not consume any food for at least two days prior to attending this event!” The fabulously delicious and plentiful six-course meal, prepared by Norwegian Chef Tore “Johnny” Dale and French Chef Gérard Michel, was designed to appease even the healthiest of appetites!
Following an appetizer of celery and endive with the chefs’ special aioli sauce, the second course was melt-in-your-mouth gravlaks (marinated salmon) with mustard and dill sauce. The third succulent course consisted of a salmon fillet, filled with shrimp, mussels and asparagus in a lemon sauce, served with boiled potatoes and pickled cucumbers. For the fourth course, our chefs served their own homemade lingonberry sorbet. While enjoying this refreshing palate cleanser, our guests were entertained by Erik and Heather Liv Melver, who gave an exceptional performance, reading excerpts from three Ibsen plays.
After this brief respite, our stomachs were somewhat prepared for the fifth course of rosemary-marinated baked pork ribs, rutabaga puree, and oven-roasted new potatoes. This was followed by the sixth and final course – dessert - a heavenly parfait topped with cloudberries and freshly whipped cream, served with coffee, of course! After dinner, our guests joined the chefs for a wine-tasting at the Faculty House to sample the very special Henrik Ibsen wine created by Chef Dale to complement the delicious menu items offered at his restaurant.
All the elements required for fine dining came together to produce a culinary experience that none will soon forget! We are especially grateful to the PLU students who served the meal. No doubt they, too, had a great time and appreciated the opportunity to work with such talented chefs! If you missed this event, you could still experience fine cuisine prepared by our fabulous chefs—by visiting Chef Dale’s Henrik Ibsen Restaurant in Torrevieja, Spain!
Welcome New Members! Melanie Barnes, JooHee Berglund, Egon and Debbie Calundann, Karen Goettling, Leonard and Priscilla Hathon, Carol Houk, Jean Clark Kaldahl, Mona Margolis, Kenneth Miller, Ake Palm, Loretta Pullis, Lillian Russell, William and Aase Running, Erika Thorsnes Schlegel, Dale and Dianne Snell, Deither and Sinok Wolf.
Two Great Books Now Available in the PLU NW & Scandinavian Gift Shop. In our last issue you read about a recently published book by the late Stewart Govig entitled Ronald Fangen-Church and Culture in Norway. What we failed to mention is the unique connection between Dr. Govig’s book and the SCC. For the book’s cover, he chose a photo of the Viking ship prow located in front of the SCC. He carried this theme throughout the book by employing a sketch of the prow, which is the Center’s official logo drawn by SCC member Evelyn Reynolds. It is a wonderful reminder of Dr. Govig’s long-time support of the SCC, and we are grateful.
Solveig Torvik, retired editor of the Seattle PI, recently presented an intriguing lecture and reading from her newly published book, Nikolai’s Fortune. With an undeniable talent for descriptive story telling, she pulled the audience into the moving, sometimes heartbreaking story of her ancestors. After her talk, she graciously answered questions and signed copies of her book for the attendees.
The 31st Annual Norwegian Heritage Festival will take place on Saturday, April 29, 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM in the Scandinavian Cultural Center at Pacific Lutheran University. Admission is free. This year’s festival will offer expanded hours that will provide time to enjoy all the offerings at a leisurely and comfortable pace.
The festivities will take place in the University Center (122nd and South Park Avenue). Upon entering the building, festival goers may find it difficult to resist the tantalizing aromas coming from the Norwegian Café in Chris Knutzen Hall, where lefse, rømmegrøt, ertesuppe, smørbrød, and freshly baked Norwegian cookies and pastries will be available to satisfy hearty appetites. Further on, our guests will discover myriad vendor booths offering an array of Norwegian products such as sweaters, jewelry, and Hardanger fiddles, along with various arts and crafts demonstrations such as Hardanger embroidery, beading, wood carving, and Rosemaling. Children can make their way to the Regency Room where they will enjoy a special program designed just for them. Live entertainment and door prize drawings will take place throughout the day. Downstairs, where the Scandinavian Cultural Center is located, more booths and demonstrations await—a favorite of the festival is the lefse demonstration booth. Karen Giguere, SCC member and manager of the PLU Northwest & Scandinavian Gift Shop, will be on hand at her booth to sell the book entitled, Why Kings and Queens Don’t Wear Crowns, written by Her Highness Märtha Louise, Princess of Norway.
An added component to this year’s festival will be a special appearance by the Princess at 3:00 PM in Lagerquist Hall located in the Mary Baker Russell Music Center at the corner of South 8th Avenue and Wheeler Street. The program will begin with a slide presentation depicting Princess Märtha Louise and other members of the Royal Family as she was growing up. Following her 35-minute presentation, the Princess will greet festival-goers in the Scandinavian Cultural Center for the book signing.
The Princess is not the first member of Norway’s Royal Family to visit the PLU campus. In 1975, her grandfather, King Olav V (about whom her book is written), visited campus, and in his honor, the first Norwegian Heritage Festival took place. Her aunt, Princess Astrid, paid a royal visit in 1983, and her parents, Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja, were here in 1995, at which time Queen Sonja received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from PLU for her longstanding dedication to public service and humanitarian concerns. And in 1999, Princess Märtha Louise’s brother, Crown Prince Haakon, traveled the royal pathway leading to the PLU campus.
Princess Märtha Louise's book, Why Kings and Queens Don't Wear Crowns, sells for $19.95, and can be pre-ordered by calling 253-535-8397. SCC members will receive an additional 15% pre-order discount (just one of the many benefits of membership!). The newest version of the book includes an audio CD of the Princess reading the story in English, with background music played by a nine-piece orchestra. Pre-ordered books will be available for pickup April 1. Books purchased at the Norwegian Heritage Festival will be sold for a flat fee of $20.00 (includes tax) with no additional discount.
Throughout her life as a royal, Norway’s Princess Märtha Louise has heard numerous disappointed children asking their parents how she could possibly be a princess if she isn’t wearing a crown. To set things straight, once and for all, she has written a book about it. This Norwegian best-seller, written in classic fairy tale style, is now available in English as Why Kings and Queens Don’t Wear Crowns. With whimsical illustrations by Norway’s beloved award-winning illustrator Svein Nyhus (pictured below), the book is a keepsake to be treasured by young and old for generations to come.
After a successful book tour in October of 2005, with events in New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, and the Høstfest in Minot, ND, Princess Märtha Louise is returning for a month-long tour in April. Readings and signings are planned for twenty cities in eight states, including San Diego, Salt Lake City, Denver, Minneapolis, and Tacoma.
As she did on her first tour, she will undoubtedly win the hearts of audiences across the country with tales of her royal childhood and her animated telling of the book, which is based on the childhood of her grandfather, the late King Olav V. Little Prince Olav tries to do everything other Norwegian children do—with his crown on his head. As you can imagine, crowns don’t hold up well while sledding, making snowmen, and ski-jumping. In the end, his crown is put away for safe-keeping, and the little prince learns the important lesson that it isn’t the decorative crown on your head that matters most, but rather the one you wear in your heart.
It’s no wonder that the princess can so skillfully write a fairy tale that interests all generations. An avid reader, she studied English literature at Oxford, and in recent years has developed her skills as a storyteller, touring Norway doing programs for children, and even doing special fairy tale readings on Norwegian national television. She is a dynamic woman, and a dedicated advocate for the causes of children and children’s literacy.
On this tour a new edition of the book will be available which includes an audio CD. The Princess talks about why she wrote the book, explains the historical background of the story, and reads her entire original fairy tale. A musical score played by a nine-piece orchestra adds another dimension to her captivating tale.
EXHIBITS
Nordic Imagery: Watercolors and Pastels by Sharon Aamodt, Exhibition/Sales, January 15-April 30
Meet the Artist: Sunday, March 12 and April 2, 1-4 PM. Prints will be available for purchase.
Public Hours: Sundays, 1-4 PM, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 AM-3 PM.
EVENTS AND CLASSES
Nordic Cooking Classes: 10 AM—$5 per class—no registration required (See p. 2)
Saturday, March 11 (Swedish Day), Tuesday, March 14 (Norwegian Day #1), Saturday, March 18 (Norwegian Day #2), Thursday, March 23 (Nordic Day), Tuesday, March 28 (Danish Day)
Reykjavik Wind Quintet: Wednesday, March 29, 8 PM—Donations gratefully accepted. (See p. 1)
Norwegian Rosemaling Workshop: April 11, 12, 13, 9:30 AM-3 PM, 253-564-2832
Painters who have at least a little experience in Rosemaling are welcome to attend this workshop.
Class size is limited to six students, so sign up right away! Participants should bring whatever painting supplies they have. Cost is $25 per day. Contact our instructor, Dena Iverson, for information and registration: 360-883-5839, 15003 SE McGillivray Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98683, or norarts@att.net
Beginning Hardanger Embroidery Classes: Tuesdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25, 1-3 PM
If you have always wanted to master this intricate embroidery technique, now’s your chance to learn from an expert—Gloria Pederson! Cost: $5 per class. Call Gloria for further information (253-756-7622)
Timeless Style: Traditional to Contemporary—Nordic Fashion Show and Luncheon:
Saturday, April 22, 12:30 PM, $15.00/person. Reservations required. Watch the mail for your invitation.
Norwegian Heritage Festival: Saturday, April 29 (10:30 AM-5 PM), Free Admission (See pp. 4-5)
Language Classes:
Swedish, Mondays, 6-9 PM, 253-535-7586
Intermediate Norwegian, Mondays, 6-9 PM, 253-536-8392
Beginning Norwegian, Tuesdays, 6-9 PM, 253-536-8392
MEETINGS
Danish Sisterhood
Wednesdays, March 1/April 5, 253-843-2249
Hardanger Embroidery Group
Wednesday, March 8 (No meeting in April)
9 AM-3 PM, 253-759-7292
Western Rosemalers Association
Sunday, April 23, 12-4 PM, 253-535-7453
Danish Sangaften
Sundays, March 19/April 23, 6-9 PM, 253-984-6700
Newcomers welcome
Norwegian Rosemalers Group
Wednesdays, March 15, 22, 29/April 19, 26
9AM-3 PM, 253-841-3392
Newcomers welcome
SCC Executive Board
Mondays, March 20/April TBA, 4:45 PM, UC 214
SCC Council
Mondays, March 20/April TBA, 5:30 PM
Presenting Sponsor ($5000+ level)
Wells Fargo Management, Dale Benson
Viking Bank
Major Sponsor ($1001-$4999 level)
IKEA-Seattle
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Knut Olson, General Partner
Sponsor ($1000 level)
Harold A. Allen Realtors, Michael Larson,
President/Designated Broker
One of the goals of the Scandinavian Studies Program is to focus on the Nordic region as contemporary and
internationally engaged. In our courses and programming this spring semester, we as faculty bring to the program a number of learning opportunities for students to meet this goal. We are excited to offer new courses in both culture and literature. Outside the classroom, programming for students this semester - in the form of discussions, film nights and lectures - takes a unique look at Danish and Norwegian politics, Finnish film and the environment in Sweden. Even further from the campus classroom, the Norway study away program for next fall semester is attracting strong interest. In this issue, we present greater detail on the new courses we are teaching this semester and one event in our semester-long series - the timely discussion of the controversy over the publishing of the Danish caricatures.
Scandinavian Studies Program Faculty
Troy Storfjell and Claudia Berguson
Students in Professor Troy Storfjell’s class on Nordic colonialism are investigating the legacies of Scandinavian colonial ventures in places as diverse as Greenland, Africa, India, the Caribbean, and the Sámi homelands. Working with postcolonial criticism and theory, they are exploring how these colonial encounters transformed the social
and material realities of both Scandinavia and its former colonies, and how these projects have structured the ways in which Scandinavians view themselves and their place in something imagined as “the West,” and, quite significantly, how these views are dependent on certain ways of representing and understanding the world beyond Europe.
Professor Claudia Berguson has created a course on film adaptation of Scandinavian novels and short stories. The thematic focus of this comparative study of narrative is the Scandinavian outsider as presented in classic and contemporary Scandinavian written texts and films. Among the characters studied are the “enemy of the people” Dr. Stockmann, the defrocked pastor Gösta Berling, the exiled French chef Babette, the nameless starving artist in Christiania, the young “conqueror” immigrant Pelle, and the newly-released psychiatric patient turned poet Elling. The course seeks to challenge students to gain a greater understanding of narrative, a more sophisticated knowledge of community dynamics in Scandinavia, and an increased cultural knowledge of iconic outsiders in Scandinavian fiction and film.
In February, the Scandinavian Studies committee sponsored a roundtable discussion of reactions to the Danish caricatures of the prophet Mohammed. Scandinavian Studies faculty were joined by colleagues Peter Grosvenor and Ann Kelleher in Political Science, Mark Jensen in French, Cliff Rowe in Communication, Paul Ingram in Religion, PLU students, and members of Tacoma’s Islamic community for a lively discussion of how the publishing of the caricatures is perceived from a variety of cultural and religious points of view. We were energized by the interest in dialogue around such relevant issues as multiculturalism, religious tolerance and media ethics. As the semester continues, we look forward to continued dialogue both in the classroom and in co-curricular programming.
—Submitted by Claudia Berguson, Scandinavian Studies Chair
