It’s no secret that Norway is a dream destination for travelers. It’s brimming with breathtaking scenery, one-of-a-kind experiences, natural wonders and strong Viking history. Check out the ultimate bucket list of travel ideas in the January issue of Viking magazine. Here are three more must-see places to add to your list.
On January 16, 1895, the original 18 members of Sons of Norway gathered for their first official meeting. Today we celebrate the 125 years that have passed since that meeting, as well as the fact that we have grown to become the largest Norwegian organization outside of Norway.
Prince Sverre Magnus, the youngest child of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, turned 14 in December. The young prince was born December 3rd, 2005, in Rikshospitalet in Oslo. He is third in line to succeed his grandfather King Harald V, after his father and his 15-year-old sister, Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
With their notoriously cool climates, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have never been thought of as contenders for winemaking—until now. With the warming weather in these countries, entrepreneur winemakers are keying in on the potential for a new Scandinavian wine industry.
Did you know that educational scholarships are an important way of sharing our heritage and Nordic values with younger generations? It feels great to help young Sons of Norway members explore their Norwegian roots though the exciting and educational life experiences made possible by our generous donors.
Ever since Norway’s independence in 1905, the relations between Norway and the United States have created a wealth of economic opportunities for both countries. A report prepared by the Norwegian Embassy shows that trade with and investments from Norway support almost half a million jobs across the United States.
Did you know that the world’s northernmost town is in Norway? Perched high above the Arctic Circle on Spitsbergen island lies the polar village of Longyearbyen. It’s inhabited by approximately 2,000 residents from 50 countries.
Snakker du litt norsk? If you are looking to learn the basics of Norwegian, Sons of Norway’s online language lessons get you going with 37 installments, including how to pronounce a few julesanger (Christmas carols - Lesson 26) and how to decipher a Norwegian cake recipe (Lesson 28).
Classic Norwegian Christmas traditions include decorating the tree, baking cookies, visiting family—and sitting by the fire with a big stack of comic books. For two centuries, Norway has had a tradition of releasing julehefter, or Christmas booklets, in late November.
Throughout the last two centuries, Norwegians have taken great pride in their heritage. In fact, Norway has created a patriotic identity that encompasses its values, customs and traditions. However, this has not always been the case; leading up to the 19th century, there was much discontent regarding Norway’s independence.
