The Storting (Norway’s parliament) recently passed the most comprehensive administrative reform since 1662. Back then, the country’s administrative units transitioned from len to amt while under Danish rule. In this new reform, Norway’s 19 fylker (counties) are planned to be replaced by 11 regioner (regions) by January 2020. Four existing counties (Nordland, Rogaland, Oslo and Møre og Romsdal) will continue using the [...]
Vikings sailed the seas as master sailors and explorers. But you may be surprised to learn that a Viking sword unearthed from a grave in Oslo, estimated to be forged in 900 A.D., can be found on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. How did it get there? In late 1943, then General Dwight Eisenhower became the [...]
The April issue of Viking highlights Norwegian folk singer, artist and radio host Arna Rennan. She hails from Duluth, Minn., but has spent a lot of time in Norway throughout her life. Rennan currently hosts the radio program Nordic Roots Music for KTWH Two Harbors Community Radio. Here, we feature more from her interview. Tell us about spending time in the [...]
District 5 is the proud recipient of the 2018 Shellie Milford Spirit of the Birkie Award, given to a volunteer, race chief, vendor, community member or skier whose selfless, thoughtful or heroic act contributes to a successful race and a positive experience for participants in the Birkie. Members of Sons of Norway District 5 have provided more than 30 years of [...]
Have you checked out the March issue of Viking magazine? For a little travel inspiration, we highlight the small and beautiful Norwegian town of Tromsø, known as the “Gateway to the Arctic.” It brims with natural beauty and many opportunities to see the Northern Lights. Whether you want your home base to be in the city’s center or on the outskirts [...]
In the March issue of Viking magazine, we talked with Hollywood stuntman and coordinator Alex Terzieff. Hailing from Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, he has worked on projects such as “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Thor,” “Twilight” and “Big Little Lies.” Terzieff is also a Sons of Norway member. Here’s more from the interview. Q: What’s the most impressive stunt you’ve ever done? A: [...]
Member Discounts Apply Norgesskolen is a two and a half week summer school that takes place in Telemark, the cultural and historical heart of Norway. The school provides an opportunity for children and youth aged 9 to 18 to deepen their understanding of Norwegian language, culture, and society. The students also participate in a wide range of sports and outdoor activities [...]
Emma Ångström is a woman of many talents. She’s an architect, journalist, songwriter and author. She’s turned her passion for writing into a career as a crime novelist. Her books include “And All Is Distorted,” “The Man in the Wall” and “The Last Experiment.” Learn more about her in Viking magazine’s February issue and see more from the interview below. How [...]
A project funded by the European Union is making it possible to convert centuries-old handwriting into typed text. Transkribus is a software program that can scan, transcribe and search historical documents that are in English or Norwegian. The program is supported by the READ project (Recognition and Enrichment of Archival Documents), an international collaboration involving 14 countries. The ability to scan [...]
An extreme dining destination will soon be submerged under the sea near a village on the southernmost coast of Norway. While other underwater restaurants exist in exotic locations like the Maldives and Dubai, Under will be Europe’s first underwater restaurant and the largest in the world. Oslo-based architecture firm Snøhetta plans to construct a 6,500 square foot three-level structure with a 36-foot-wide [...]
