Starting next month, Norway’s Ambassador to the United States Kåre Aas will be a featured columnist for Sons of Norway’s signature publication, Viking magazine. The ambassador will share key insights about modern Norway, discuss various international topics including transatlantic security, peace and reconciliation, and the Arctic. He also invites subscribers to join the conversation by posting comments and questions to his [...]
Lodge members from Draxten 1-464 and Vennekretsen 1-559 volunteer to clean and maintain the Ole Bull statue. This month, precisely 209 years ago on February 5, Norway’s first internationally known musician was born; Ole Borneman Bull. A child prodigy, Bull began studying the violin at the age of five, and just four years later was soloing with the Bergen [...]
Image Credit: Andreas Kontokanis Norway’s chess superstar Magnus Carlsen has done it again. Aside from taking victory in the recent 2018 World Chess Championship, and being the world’s top ranked chess player since 2013, he’s managed to accomplish the incredible: making chess popular. Carlsen’s continued success has sparked fascination in the game all over Norway, with many calling it [...]
As 2019 approaches, the city of Oslo is preparing for the 150th birthday celebration of Norway’s most famous sculptor: Gustav Vigeland. Institutions around Norway are preparing to celebrate with a lineup of installations and celebrations. Keep an eye out for these events: Anniversary Exhibition Vigeland Museum Opens April 11, 2019 Traveling Exhibition Norway’s National Museum On display though 2020 Summer Vigeland Showcase [...]
Barneloppet (youth ski race) season is coming up fast, and young Sons of Norway members who live in snowy regions are preparing to participate. Should the seeds of competition be planted, their dreams of an Olympic or World Cup podium could become a future reality. The good news: There’s an entity as enthusiastic as Sons of Norway is about fresh air, [...]
The 34th Annual Nordic American Thanksgiving Breakfast was a wonderful success. In fact, nearly 900 attended the event, and funds raised for the event’s charities, Second Harvest Heartland and the Minnesota Military Family Foundation, currently total more than $ 22,000. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, patrons and sponsors, these outstanding organizations will have more resources to help sustain their programs and [...]
The world’s nicest reality show, Alt for Norge—known in English as The Great Norway Adventure—is about to cast its 10th season. In this heritage-based reality show, a dozen Norwegian-Americans fly to their ancestral homeland to compete in a variety of culture-related challenges. The challenges range from culinary feats such as eating sea urchin, to the adventurous challenge of spending a proper [...]
In the November issue of Viking magazine, we highlight Norwegian Political Adviser Bård Ludvig Thorheim. Throughout his career, he’s held positions with the Norwegian Embassy in Sri Lanka, Washington D.C. and Norway. Currently, he’s the political adviser to Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs office works to promote Norway’s interest internationally and safeguard the [...]
If you are traveling to Norway for the upcoming holidays and have time to squeeze in one more activity, it’s a perfect time to visit the Norsk Folkemuseum, located in the heart of Oslo. Prepare to embrace the holiday spirit and be dazzled by “A Christmas Tale,” an exhibition about past and present yuletide traditions. You’ll see displays of customs from [...]
Last year’s event sold out, so purchase your tickets to the 34th annual Nordic American Thanksgiving Breakfast before it’s too late! Ticket sales end Wednesday, November 14. In one setting, you’ll hear thoughtful messages on the topics of freedom, faith, family and friends from the Ambassador of Iceland to the U.S.A. Geir H. Haarde; Executive Director to the Minnesota Trade Office [...]
