Dr. William Halverson to Present Lecture on
Dr. William H. Halverson of Columbus, Ohio, will speak on “Edvard Grieg
and Norway’s Struggle for Independence” at the Scandinavian Cultural
Center on Saturday, November 5, at 7:00 PM. Dr. Halverson served
on the faculties at Augsburg College and Ohio State University.
Since retiring from Ohio State, he has devoted much of his time to the
translation of books and other materials pertaining to Norwegian
music. The program will be enriched by Maynard Hedegaard’s
rendition of Grieg’s patriotic song "Henrik Wergeland," and by Vicki
Melton’s performance of some of the piano music selected by Grieg
himself for a concert in Stockholm in 1896. This event is free
and open to the public A free will offering may be given at the
door.
The year 2005 marks the centennial of Norway’s independence from Sweden
in 1905. It happens that the career of Edvard Grieg, who remains to
this day Norway’s most illustrious composer, coincides almost exactly
with the period of Norway's struggle for independence. An ardent
nationalist, Grieg identified deeply with that struggle. His letters
and diaries are filled with pithy comments about what was going on in
the political realm. Drawing heavily on Grieg's own words, Dr.
Halverson will illuminate various aspects of Grieg's involvement during
the years 1891–1905.
Dr. Halverson is uniquely qualified to present this program. A
graduate of Augsburg College (B.A. 1951) and of Princeton University
(Ph. D. 1961), he is one of America’s leading authorities on the life
and work of Edvard Grieg. He has edited and translated many books on
Norwegian music, including two volumes of writings by Grieg himself:
Edvard Grieg: Letters to Colleagues and Friends and Edvard Grieg:
Diaries, Articles, Speeches. Autographed copies of these books will be
available for purchase during the reception following the
program. Dr. Halverson has received many honors for his work. In
1997 he was awarded the Inger Sjöberg Translation Prize by the
American-Scandinavian Foundation. Also in 1997, he was knighted by His
Majesty King Harald of Norway, with whom he had a private audience the
following year.
Dr. Halverson writes, “I very much look forward to presenting this
exciting program at the Scandinavian Cultural Center. Grieg was
deeply committed to Norway's struggle for independence, and he wrote
movingly about it in his letters and diaries, both of which I have had
the honor of translating for publication. I look forward to sharing
some of these moving passages with you.”
For further information contact Susan Young, SCC Director. at 253-535-7349 or <youngse@plu.edu>
Scandinavian Studies Student Choir at Norwegian
Christmas Service
The holiday season begins at
Sankta Lucia has been celebrated at PLU since 1950. In keeping with the Swedish custom, the
Scandinavian Cultural Center Council and IKEA-Seattle will present the annual Sankta
Lucia Fest on Friday and Saturday, December 2-3.
the
Sankta Lucia and attendants
at IKEA.
The tradition of Norsk Julegudstjeneste
(Norwegian Christmas Service) began at PLU in 1976 and continues to be a
favorite holiday event on the PLU campus.
The Scandinavian Cultural Center Council is proud to partner with the
Scandinavian Area Studies Program to present this very special event on
Wednesday, December 14, at 7:00 pm. The event is open to the public and admission
is free.
The holiday season would be incomplete without the annual Nordic
Christmas Fest. This gala event is scheduled for Saturday,
December 17, at 6:30 PM, and is a wonderful way to celebrate the
holiday season with friends and family. Our caterer, Gayle Orth
of Tacoma, will prepare a mouth-watering holiday buffet featuring some
of our favorite dishes such as pickled herring, gravlax (salmon) with
dill sauce, lever postej (liver paté), medisterpølse (Norwegian
sausage) with red cabbage, frikadeller (Danish meatballs),
lanttulaatikko (Finnish rutabaga casserole), and kötbullar (Swedish
meatballs).
In addition to a delicious meal, you will enjoy an entertaining
performance by Joe Pettit, Director of Music at Trinity Lutheran
Church in Parkland. Mr. Pettit lived and worked in Norway for
several years and is well acquainted with Scandinavian Christmas
music. His performance will end with a group sing of well-known
holiday
tunes.
Banquet table at Nordic Christmas Fest
Plan now to attend this unforgettable evening of fun, food, and
fellowship. There will also be an opportunity to participate in a
silent auction throughout the evening. Admission: $35
(general) and $30 (SCC members and their guests). Invitations and
reservation information will go out in mid-November. The SCC Council is
pleased to partner with Harold A. Allen Realty Company to bring this
gala event to you. For more information, call 253-582-9360 or
253-535-7349.
Thanks to those who attended our Membership Meeting on September 17.
Over 70 people were able to attend! After a welcome from our
Director, Susan Young, we enjoyed entertainment by accomplished
musicians Nancy Morrison and Ellen Wijsman. Then Kerstin Ringdahl
(Curator, Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection) and Claudia
Berguson (Chair, Scandinavian Area Studies Program) presented
informative overviews of their programs.
Several members of the SCCC made a presentation on the activities of
the council. This included an overview of programs, classes, and
exhibits held during the fiscal year 2004–2005 as well as financial
information. The SCCC budget for the year 2005-2006 is
$41,000. After the presentations, several door prizes were
awarded while attendees filled out the questionnaires and helped
themselves to refreshments.
Just a few comments from our questionnaires: In answer to the
question, “Was the meeting helpful?” here is a sample of the responses.
“Very informative….. Informative re library, etc….. An excellent
overview….. Good to hear of close ties to the university…..Yes we got
an overall view of the SCC……. Yes – broader view of purpose…..Gave a
better understanding of SCC.….I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know
about the SCC.… I had no idea what all was involved!…. Seeing who the
people are that are responsible for keeping the SCC alive…Just
excellent from one end to the other.” We were so pleased to read
the positive comments.
In answer to the question as to whether we should make the
Membership
Meeting an annual event, the responses were overwhelmingly positive.
“Yes - to update membership…. Yes, we want to see the progress…. Makes
paying dues a privilege…..It’s informative, especially for new
members…..Yearly updates would be much appreciated…..Meet other
members….Good for sharing info and fellowship….It is inspiring.”
Several requested that the next meeting be
shorter! And we will
do our best to plan the time better next year! We have already
discussed ways to
do that, and we hope that many more of you will be
able to attend.
When asked about ideas for the future, the responses included: “I
would like to see some of the donated items….More selection in days and
hours of cooking classes…More Saturday classes….Norwegian Male
Chorus….More info on tales of the Nordic countries…. Endowment is
great!….Need to see where endowment is invested…. Costume exhibits, art
participation classes….Philatelic and numismatic exhibits…..Handicraft
demos/classes; cooking classes.” The SCC Council is listening,
and we will do our best to expand on your suggestions.
In order to fulfill the many requests for classes and programming, we
need more volunteers to be a part of one or more committees.
Several people at the meeting indicated an interest in helping
out. Now, how about you!? Here are the committees, which
meet only as needed. This is not a huge time commitment.
- Classes - plans classes; arranges dates, instructors, etc.
- Programs - plans programs, lectures, luncheons, etc.
- Collections - receives, accessions, stores artifacts
- Exhibits - plans 3-4 exhibits per year
- Scholarships - publicizes scholarships; seeks donors
- Publicity - plans community outreach; advertises SCC activities
- Membership - processes memberships; seeks new members
- Fund-Raising - plans events to raise money for the SCC
- Hospitality - solicits/serves refreshments at SCCC events
- Kitchen - inventories/replenishes kitchen supplies
- Volunteers - recruits/trains volunteer public hours staff
Please give serious consideration to joining us as we plan these events! Let us know how you can help!
—Hilsen! Janet 253-564-2832 or <ruudj1norw@aol.com>
P.S. If you took your Membership Meeting questionnaire home with
you – we’d be grateful if you’d fill it out and send it back.
TAKK!
Bill and Joy Brooks (Simi Valley, CA), Judith Earle (Seahurst, WA), Kathy Kunkle (Enumclaw, WA), Virginia Linstrom (Fircrest, WA), Ken and Mary Nilsen (Tacoma, WA). We also welcome our newest member organization, VASA Lodge Norden 233 VOA (Tacoma, WA).
Our booth at the Scandinavian Heritage Festival (October 6-9) was a
huge success. Many thanks to our volunteers who were on hand to
distribute publicity materials and answer questions: Esther Ellickson,
Darlene and Don Ellingson, Marion Fauske, Ken and Linda Fialkowski,
Maynard and Lise Hedegaard, Esther Hinschberger, Betty Larson, Lisa
Ottoson, Janet Ruud, Cheryl Spidahl, Nicki Tollefson, Audun Toven, Cal
and Julie Watness, and Nancy White.
Thirty-two music-loving Scandinavians from the SCC got together for the
Tacoma Symphony Orchestra's season opener on Saturday, October 15, at
the Pantages Theater in Tacoma. Amy Wigstrom, Executive Director of
the orchestra, had a special evening planned for the group! She first
gave the group an interesting mini-history and back-stage tour of the
grand theater. Brian Chin, Principal trumpet player, then presented a
fascinating talk on one of the evening's composers, Gustav Mahler.
Many members of the group had worn their ethnic costumes for the event,
and they added a special Nordic ambiance to the evening as they
strolled through the lobby before the concert where they enjoyed
listening to the music of two Nordic fiddlers.
We were pleased to see the five Nordic countries' flags hanging from
the balcony box seats when we came into the auditorium. Before the
concert began, special guests Guttorm Gregersen, Chuck Nelson, and
Audun Toven (all SCC members!) were introduced, Mayor Bill Baarsma
spoke, and our group from the SCC was recognized and asked to stand.
The concert itself was both delightful and inspiring, and included
pieces by Grieg, Sibelius, Alfven, and Mahler. Swedish soprano Marie
Birve gave Mahler's Symphony No. 4 a Scandinavian touch. This
wonderful evening ended with a post-concert reception in the Pantages
rehearsal hall, where refreshments were served and honored guests were
introduced.
SSC group at the Pantages Theater
Saturday, November 19, 9:00 AM—5:00 PM, Olson Auditorium (located on S 124th between 12th Avenue S and Park Avenue S). Sponsored by the PLU Women's Club, the Yule Boutique features handcrafted items such as wreaths, wooden toys, paintings, quilts, pottery, Christmas ornaments, furniture, and much more! Proceeds benefit student scholarships. Admission: $3 suggested donation; free with valid PLU ID. For more information, contact Lynette Cubbage, 253-531-7481.
Richard and Beverly Smaby will teach a series of four progressing dance
lessons at Normanna Hall (1106 S 15th, Tacoma) in November. Admission
is free, and the lessons start at 7:30 PM on Nov. 8, 15, 22, and 29.
Wear leather-soled shoes! Call Ned Raymond for more information
253-833-9276. (Sponsored by Norden Lodge #2, Sons of Norway, and Tacoma
Mountaineers Folkdancers.)
Our Endowment Fund has grown to $240,213.38 in gifts and
pledges. We encourage you to consider making a contribution to
the Endowment Fund. Together, we can ensure the preservation of
Nordic heritage at PLU and the Pacific Northwest. If you would
like to make a gift or pledge, contact Maynard Hedegaard, Endowment
Committee Chair, 253-893-5137 or <mlhedegaard@worldnet.att.net>
Your appreciation of Nordic art will be enhanced by your visit to the
Scandinavian Cultural Center to see this magnificent display of
Norwegian and Swedish folk art. The collection is believed to be
the largest private collection in the United States. (Note:
Closing date has been extended through November 6)
The annual Christmas exhibit provides the perfect backdrop for the
myriad events that take place in the Scandinavian Cultural Center
throughout the holiday season.
The SCC is open for regular Public Hours on Sundays, 1:00-4:00 PM, and
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a few
exceptions. There will be no public hours on Sunday, November 27,
Tuesday, December 20 or Wednesday, December 21.
Edvard Grieg and Norway’s Struggle for Independence, Lecture by Dr. William H. Halverson
Saturday, November 5, 7:00 PM (See page 1)
Sankta Lucia Fest, Friday, December 2, 7:30 PM (See page 2)
Nordlyset Nordlandslaget Christmas Fest, Friday, December 9 (Private Event), 253-759-0569
Norwegian Christmas Service, Wednesday, December 14, 7:00 PM (See page 3)
Nordic Christmas Fest, Saturday, December 17, 6:30 PM (See page 3)
Norwegian & Swedish Language Classes, Mondays, 6:00-9:00 PM
For more info, call 253-536-8392 (NORWEGIAN) or 253-535-1829 (SWEDISH)
Danish Sisterhood, Wednesdays, November 2 and December 7, 11:00 AM—3:00 PM, 253-843-2249
Norwegian Hardanger Embroidery Group, Wednesdays, November 9 and December 14
9:30 AM—3:00 PM. Newcomers are welcome. 253-759-7292
Danish Sangerfest, Sundays, November 20 and December 18, 6:00-9:00 PM. Newcomers are welcome. 253-984-6700
Norwegian Rosemalers Group, Wednesdays, November 16, 23, 30 and December 21 (No meeting Dec 28)
9:00 AM—3:00 PM. Newcomers are welcome. 253-841-3392
SCC Executive Board, Mondays, November 21 and December 19, 4:00 PM, UC 214
SCC Council, Monday, November 21, 5:30 PM (No meeting in December)
By Dr. Claudia Berguson, Scandinavian Studies Program Chair
With this new section of the Scandinavian Scene, we bring you news of
the academic program of Scandinavian Studies here at PLU. It is
always a pleasure to meet so many of you who are Scandinavian Cultural
Center members at events throughout the year, and to share with you
information about our students, teaching and research. We hope
our “News from the Scandinavian Studies Program” will contribute by
reaching more of you who may be interested in exactly what we do as an
academic program of the university! We welcome conversations
about our work and activities.
Courses, activities for students, faculty research, and conference
participation are well under way in the Scandinavian Studies Program
this semester. With the retirement of Professor Audun Toven after
38 years of dedicated teaching and service to students and PLU, the
program continues with two faculty members. We wish you many
happy years of retirement Audun! Tusen takk many times over for
your years of teaching and your tireless hours given to the
program. Your work will be remembered long into the future!
In June 2005, I began duties as chair of the program, and in August
welcomed my new colleague, Troy Storfjell, to the program. Troy
has over six years of teaching experience, most recently in the
Scandinavian Studies Program at the University of Colorado in
Boulder. His areas of expertise include Nordic cultural studies,
Sámi and circumpolar cultures, postcolonialism, ethnic identity and
contemporary Norwegian literature. Troy received his PhD from the
University of Wisconsin in 2001. He is married and has one son,
Espen. Troy and his wife, Kiana Weinschenk, are expecting their
second child in December. Welcome to the Scandinavian Studies
Program Troy!
With the goal of focusing on Scandinavian cultures as part of the
contemporary global community, the Scandinavian Studies Program offers
an integrated range of courses that incorporate faculty expertise in
contemporary Scandinavia, intercultural and international relations,
Sámi studies, literature of women and immigrants, and the dialogue
between social institutions, politics and the arts in the creation and
expression of identity. This year, courses include Norwegian
language, Scandinavian Folklore Past and Present, Nordic Colonialism,
and Modern Scandinavian Narrative and Film. Students culminate their
four years of study with a capstone project. Tove Hansen, a senior at
PLU, is working this semester on an exciting research project on
Scandinavian design.
Outside the classroom, students living in Norskhuset in the Hong
International Hall have a full calendar of events from films to a
faculty and student discussion of the school system in Scandinavian
countries. There is time to combine fun and academic advising as
well! In September, we met as faculty with those students
interested in hearing about our own vocational paths to Scandinavian
Studies and exploring ways to tailor their major in Scandinavian
Studies or Norwegian to career goals. The evening was concluded
with time for students to create T-shirts complete with Norwegian
phrases!
In October, Troy and I attended the annual Norway Seminar in
Washington, D.C. The seminar is a combination of the meeting of
our professional Norwegian teaching and research organization, and
lectures and presentations by Norwegian scholars. As the NORTANA
organization’s vice-president, I can attest to the energy and vision of
this organization and its many members as we set our goals for the
coming year. The topic for this year’s seminar was the very
relevant one of Norwegian identity in this new millennium. Each year
those of us in attendance benefit from renewed contact with North
American colleagues in the field, the broadening of the network of
international colleagues, and continued cooperation with the Royal
Norwegian Embassy and consulates. As you see, it has been a busy
and productive fall semester in the Scandinavian Studies Program at
PLU!
