by Janet Ruud
You will want to respond right away when you receive your invitation to
our first ever Membership Meeting, to be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday,
September 17! Your council members have been working hard to prepare
both an informative and entertaining afternoon, and we need to know how
many will be attending so we can be sure to have enough FOOD!
Do you know . . .
how many people are members of the SCC?
how SCC events/programs/classes are arranged?
how exhibits are acquired and installed?
how much money is in the SCC account?
how many committees are needed in order to run the SCC efficiently?
how to become a volunteer in the SCC?
what the SCC Council and Executive Director do?
If your answer to any of the above questions is “no,” or if you have
other questions about the SCC, or if you already know everything, but
just want to spend a fun afternoon with your fellow supporters of
Scandinavian culture, please join us. We’ll have lots of answers,
pictures, music, and food to share. All members and friends of
the SCC are invited
Don’t forget! RSVP no later than Tuesday, September 13. Email
scancntr@plu.edu or call 253-535-7322 (SCC message phone). Be
sure to provide your name, phone number, and the number of people in
your party.
This fall, in commemoration of Norway’s Centennial as a sovereign state, following the peaceful dissolution in 1905 of the union with Sweden, as well as the 100 years since diplomatic relations between Norway and the United States were established, The Smithsonian Associates presents “Norway: A Centennial Celebration.” This series of public events, supported by The Royal Norwegian Embassy, features outstanding performers, scientists, writers, and historians for audiences in Washington, D.C., Florida, Washington, and North Dakota. Sponsors for the program are SAS Airlines, Kimpton Hotels, and Innovation Norway.
In cooperation with The Smithsonian Associates, the Royal Norwegian
Embassy, PLU’s Scandinavian Area Studies Program, and the Scandinavian
Cultural Center, we are pleased to present a lecture by Professor Ande
Somby, this year’s speaker for the annual Harstad Lecture on Monday,
October 17, 7:00 PM. The lecture will take place in the Scandinavian
Cultural Center. Admission is free.
Ande Somby, a native Sami and professor of law at the University of
Tromsø, Norway, discusses the current legal situation for the 50,000
Sami now living in Norway. Somby addresses Sami cultural rights,
rights to land and water, and new institutions, including the Sami
parliament, that have appeared in the new era since the 1980s.
The Sami Today: In the harsh Arctic climate of northern
Scandinavia live the Sami, skilled hunters, inventors of skis, and
direct descendents of the Sun, according to their rich mythology. The
Roman historian Tacitus provided the first written reference to the
Sami in 98 AD, though they have lived in the Far North for over 10,000
years. In 800 AD the English King Alfred the Great wrote in his
chronicles Orosious about the Norwegian Chief Ottar and his taxation of
the Sami, and indeed political issues continue to the present time.
On Tuesday, October 18, 7:00 pm, the Norway Centennial Celebration continues when we
present the Norwegian musical group Vajas (Echo). Vajas represents a synergy of Arctic
voices and sound. Inspired by their Sami roots, Vajas seeks to preserve
the rich tradition of songs, known as joiks (pronounced yoiks), in the
flowing Sami language. By renewing the
sounds and stretching the limits of Norwegian folk music with their voice and
instruments, they are presenting the joiks to modern audiences. The group also translates the joiks’
lyrics—notable for their metaphor, irony and humor—into more accessible
Norwegian and English.
Vajas
consists of
three accomplished musicians who call the city of Tromsø, in northern Norway,
home—Ande Somby, a famous traditional joiker; Kristin Mellem,
a classically trained violinist, composer, and singer; and Nils Johansen,
on synthesizer. Johansen is also the
mastermind behind the internationally acclaimed group Bel Canto.
THE SCANDINAVIAN IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE COLLECTION in PLU’s
Mortvedt Library 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 Scandinavian immigrants. The collection includes
literature, historical records, books, and oral histories. If you
have items that you would like to donate to the collection, email
archives@plu.edu or call 253-535-7586.
SAVE THE DATE! The Scandinavian Heritage Foundation (Portland,
OR) invites you to attend the annual ScanFeast Auction Gala at the
Multnomah Athletic Club on Saturday, October 8, 5:00 PM. For more
information, email shf@mindspring.com or call 503-977-0275.
ANNOUNCING TWO NEW BOOKS! Reckless Courage: The True
Story of a Norwegian Boy Under Nazi Rule by William Fuller with Jack
Haines. Full of engaging anecdotes and inspirational stories,
Reckless Courage portrays the warmth, humor, and persistence of a
Norwegian family during the German occupation of World War II.
The book centers on the exploits of young Gunnar Høines, working as an
errand boy at a hotel housing German officers. A wealth of
historical detail does much to counter the virtually unrecognized
importance of Norway in World War II. $13.95 plus $3.50
S&H. Send check or money order to: The Taber Hall Press, PO
Box 159, Marion, MA 02738. Email taberhallpress@yahoo.com for
more information.
Books are keys to wisdom’s treasures;
Books are gates to lands of pleasure;
Books are paths that upward lead;
Books are friends. Come, let us read..
—Emilie Poulsson (1853-1939)
On My Swedish Island: Discovering the Secrets of Scandinavian
Well-Being, by Julie Catterson Lindahl, is a rich collection of ideas
on how to improve our quality of life with a Nordic-inspired philosophy
that translates into any culture, and presents a vision of good living
accessible to anyone anywhere. Along with the comforts of urban life,
Lindahl’s preconceived notions are stripped away, and she uncovers the
keys to good living left by generations of Scandinavians. $24.95 plus
S&H. Visit the website: www.penquin.com to order.
Professor and Associate Dean Emeritus William H. 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.
It happens that Edvard Grieg’s career coincides with the period of
Norway’s struggle for independence, and Grieg identified deeply with
that struggle. His letters are peppered with pithy comments about
what is going on in the political realm, and how he got directly
involved in it in a number of interesting ways. Plan now to
attend this highly informative lecture, to be held in the Scandinavian
Cultural Center on November 5, 7:00 PM.
PRESIDENT’S CORNER . . .Those
of us who attended the concert by the Stockholm Bachkör in August were
treated to a fabulous evening! Special
thanks go to SCC Council members Betty and Ed Larson, who were instrumental in
making the arrangements to bring this world-class choir to
I
am looking forward to seeing you at our many events this fall in the SCC! I hope
you will take time now to review the calendar and make plans to take advantage
of all that the SCC has to offer – exhibits, classes, lectures, programs,
special events. Our Center is a
beautiful, busy, thriving part of
Look
for our SCC booth at the Scandinavian Heritage Festival October 6 – 9, or
better yet, how about helping us at the booth for a few hours one day? The Festival is four days this year, so we
are going to need some extra volunteers!
Finally,
I said it last time and I’ll say it again - Please call or e-mail me any time
if you have ideas for events or exhibits, or if you have questions or concerns
about the Council, or just to chat for a while.
Your support of the SCC is much appreciated, and I’d love to hear from
you! ruudj1norw@aol.com or
253-564-2832.
—Hilsen! Janet
October 6-9, 2005
Thursday 3:00—9:00 PM, Friday – Sunday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Pavilion Hall, Western Washington Fairgrounds, Puyallup
The Scandinavian Heritage Festival (SHF) participants, exhibitors, and
vendors are pleased to invite you for four full days of festivities
with Scandinavian cultural exhibits, demonstrations, arts and crafts,
music, food, folk dancing, and Scandinavian gift items. Each day there
will be ethnic entertainment, dancing and singing, and a festival
raffle. Some lucky winner will win the Grand Prize of two round
trip tickets to Scandinavia, donated by SAS and SHF. Drawing will be
held Sunday, October 9, at 7:30 PM. You do not have to be present
to win!
Entertainment: Normanna Male Chorus, Katrilli, Finnish Folkdancers,
Nordic Spirit, Smilin’ Scandinavians, Lilla Spelmanslag, Leikarringen
of Seattle, Scandinavian Dancers, Poulsbo Children Dancers, Sylvia’s
Fjordsong Band, and more.
Admission: Thursday Free. Friday – Sunday to all events $6,
children 5 and under free. Free Parking in Gold Lot across from main
entrance. Overnight RV parking for a fee in the RV parking lot.
Entrance – Main gate of fairgrounds at 9th and Meridian. For more info,
email desireeomdal@hotmail.com or call 425-881-1544.
On August 6, a beautiful, warm Northwest evening, about a hundred
people gathered at Pacific Lutheran University at Lagerquist Hall in
the Mary Baker Russell Music Center to hear a magnificent concert by
the Stockholm Bach Choir. The concert was sponsored by the
Scandinavian Cultural Center and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
The choir of thirty, directed by Mats Nilsson, added PLU to their
itinerary which also included concerts in Seattle and Vancouver,
B.C. Their program featured selections by Nordic composers and a
Bach motet. The precision and harmony of the choir provided
boundless joy to the listening ears of the audience. As one
person stated after the concert, “they are the real thing!”
Celebrate Scandinavian heritage with the Tacoma Symphony
Orchestra! In a tribute to the deep Nordic roots in our
community, Marie Birve, Swedish soprano, will perform with the Symphony
for the October 15 season opener entitled, Scandinavian Smörgåsbord,
celebrating composers Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Hugo Alfvén, and
Gustav Mahler. The SCCC has purchased 25 tickets (excellent seats) for
that evening. We are pleased to make them available to members of
the Scandinavian Cultural Center, Daughters of Norway, Sons of Norway,
the Danish Sisterhood, and other private Nordic
organizations. Ticket price is $32 (normally $40) and
includes a backstage tour and private reception. Tickets are sure to go
fast, so make your reservation soon by contacting SCCC President
Janet Ruud – email ruudj1norw@aol.com or call 253-564-2832.
Marie Birve, originally from Malmö, Sweden, is a “vibrant soprano”
whose performances are dominated by “warmth and expressiveness” (The
Stage). A 2004 finalist of the Classical Singer Competition held in
Hartford, CT, she is also a previous winner of the Edwin Ruud Singing
Competition in Norway, and a semi-finalist of the 17th International
Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Vienna.
EXHIBITS
Nordic Folk Art: The Florence Buck Collection
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 October 30)
Public Hours
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 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
OR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7.
EVENTS AND CLASSES
Norwegian & Swedish Language Classes, Mondays, 6:00-9:00 PM
SCC Membership Meeting, Saturday, September 17, 3:00 PM (See page 1)
Scandinavian Heritage Festival, October 6-9, Puyallup Fairgrounds, 425-881-1544 (See page 4)
Norwegian Cooking Classes, October 13, 18, 29, 10:00 AM, 253-838-4232 (See page 7)
Annual Harstad Lecture, featuring Dr. Ande Somby, University of Tromsø, Norway.
October 17, 253-535-7512 (See page 2)
Vajas Concert, October 18, 7:00 PM, 253-582-9360 (See page 2)
Danish Sisterhood, Wednesday, October 5 (No
meeting in September). 253-843-2249
Norwegian Hardanger Embroidery Group, Wednesday, September 14
(No meeting in October)
9:30 am
to 3:00 pm. Newcomers are welcome. 253-759-7292
6:00-9:00 pm. Newcomers are welcome. 253-984-6700
Norwegian Rosemalers Group, Wednesdays, September 21
(no meeting on 9/28) and October 19, 26
9:00 am
to 3:00 pm. Newcomers are welcome. 253-841-3392
SCC Council, Mondays, September 19 and
October 17, 5:30 pm
COMING EVENTS IN DECEMBER
November 5, 7:00
pm, 253-582-9360 (See page 3)
Endowing the Future
In 2002, the Scandinavian Cultural Center Council established the
Scandinavian Cultural Center Endowment Fund. We set a goal of
raising $1 million. That money will allow us to ensure and expand
the services and programs currently offered by the Scandinavian
Cultural Center, helping to preserve Scandinavian heritage and
traditions at PLU and throughout the greater Puget Sound area. To
date, the Endowment Fund has received nearly $240,000 in cash donations
and deferred gifts.
The Scandinavian Cultural Center receives quarterly interest income
generated from the cash donations. This income helps the Center
in its education and programming efforts.
Please remember the Scandinavian Cultural Center in your charitable
giving and estate planning. Your donation may be a one-time gift
or a pledge over time, and is tax-deductible. A gift of any
amount will help achieve the worthy goal of the Endowment Fund.
Our
ever popular Norwegian cooking classes are returning to the
Scandinavian Cultural Center this fall! Three classes are scheduled for
Thursday, October 13th, Tuesday, October 18th, and Saturday, October
29th. Members of Daughter's of Norway, Embla Lodge 2, will be teaching
these classes. They have planned an entire Julebord (a traditional
holiday smörgåsbord),
so you won’t want to miss these fabulous cooking demonstrations. The
classes are held from 10:00 am to 12 noon, and the cost is $5.00 per
person per class. Students will receive copies of the recipes used in
the demonstrations, and they will get to sample all the food that is
prepared! Reservations are not required, so save the dates, bring a
friend, and plan to attend all three classes. We guarantee that you
will have a great time!
For more information, please contact Judith
Willison:
email jcwillison@comcast.net or phone 253-838-4232.