Blog

The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote and to preserve the heritage and culture of Norway, to celebrate our relationship with other Nordic countries, and provide quality insurance and financial products to our members.

Sons of Norway Quarantine Bingo

This game can help you have some fun, stay active, and maybe try a few new things while sheltering in place! Members AND non-members are eligible to play.

April 23rd, 2020|Categories: Blog|

Will Regional Reform Result in New Bunads?

As of January 2020, Norway’s 19 previous fylker (counties) have merged into 11, following a 2017 decision by Stortinget (the Norwegian parliament). Now that this regional reform has taken effect, does it follow that bunader (region-specific Norwegian folk costumes) will undergo a transformation?

April 14th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: |

Unwind With Yoga: Popular YouTubers and Norwegian Retreats

We are living a time when the future is particularly unknown, and many of us are longing for stress relief and relaxation. If you’ve been yearning for a way to unwind and destress, yoga offers many wonderful benefits to help guide you through difficult times. 

April 14th, 2020|Categories: Blog|

Cool New Buildings in Oslo

Oslo is filled with unique and stunning architecture, and a few new buildings will soon be adding to the city’s cultural cache. While many beautiful new building projects have gone up in Oslo in recent years, here are a few noteworthy highlights to check out.

April 12th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: |

Royal Fun

Have you read the April issue of Viking? Royal enthusiasts should check out our “Royal Tour of Norway” feature. The 1,000-plus-year-old Norwegian monarchy is one of the oldest in the world. Throughout the years, more than 60 kings have claimed the throne.

April 8th, 2020|Categories: Blog|

Lær deg litt norsk!*

Finding yourself with extra free time lately? This is a great opportunity to *learn some Norwegian or improve on the language skills you already have. Beginners can learn the basics on our website. (Members, log in to hear phrases pronounced by native speakers.)

March 31st, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: |

Gender Equality = Smart Economics

Women’s empowerment lies at the heart of Norway’s economic policies. Gender equality means realizing the potential of both halves of the population. For Norway, women’s participation is a pillar of our welfare state and has played a key role in our economic growth.

March 23rd, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: |

The Coolest Place in Oslo

There’s a new cultural hub on the east side of Oslo. You’ll definitely want to visit, but you probably can’t get in. Biblo Tøyen is a recently revamped youth library exclusively for kids ages 10 to 15. In 2019, the library was named one of the 50 coolest places in the world by TIME [Magazine] for Kids.

March 17th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , |

Norway Ranked Best Place to Raise Kids

In a recent report released by The Lancet, Norway was ranked the best country in the world to raise kids. Following Norway were South Korea, the Netherlands, France and Ireland. The study was based on a variety of criteria including children’s education, nutrition and health.

March 15th, 2020|Categories: Blog|

Skijoring: A Thrilling Nordic-inspired Winter Sport

If you’re looking for a unique way to enjoy Nordic-inspired outdoor winter fun with friends and family, consider skijoring! Blending elements of dogsledding and waterskiing, this thrilling sport involves being towed on skis behind a horse, dog or other animal—or in some variations, even a motor vehicle.

March 14th, 2020|Categories: Blog|

Cool Coffee Shops in Oslo

Attention coffee lovers! Have you read the March issue of Viking? Our cover story shows how coffee is a dynamic and versatile ingredient that can perk up both sweet and savory recipes. If you’re traveling to the Sons of Norway International Convention in August, be sure to check out page 8 for three café recommendations in Hamar.

March 13th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: |

Behind the Scenes of a Viking Photo Shoot

Have you ever wanted to know what goes into a Viking magazine photo shoot? Here’s your chance! The Viking team shot the March cover story in early January with recipe developer and food stylist Betsy Nelson, and photographer Terry Brennan. But planning for it started months earlier. Read on for a look at the process.

March 4th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: , |

Smart and Sustainable Cities

Cross-country skiing is a favorite Norwegian pastime. Norwegians will definitely be following our ski team as they participate in the World Cup race hosted in Minneapolis mid-March – the first time in two decades such a race has been held in the United States. This is a unique opportunity to showcase the sport to a broader audience. I’ll be there, and look forward to days filled with sports, debates and seminars.

March 3rd, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: |

Norwegian Mountain Code: 9 Rules for Summit Safety

Norway is an incredible place to get outside and explore seaside coasts, majestic woodlands, plunging fjords and snow-capped mountains. Speaking of snow, check out the February issue of Viking magazine to read about Norway’s top ski resorts.

February 26th, 2020|Categories: Blog|

A Night of Celebration

It was an evening filled with celebration, toasts, rosemaling and lots of Norwegian food: On January 16, about 150 Sons of Norway members and prominent figures from the community gathered to commemorate our 125th anniversary.

February 12th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: , |

Svalbard Seed Vault Gets a New Neighbor

Situated halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, the Svalbard Islands make up one of the world’s northernmost populated areas. In recent years, they have gained some notoriety as the home of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, where seeds from around the world are locked away in case of global catastrophe.

February 11th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , |

Adventures in Kirkenes

Located in the northeast corner of Norway near the Russian and Finnish borders, the small Arctic town of Kirkenes is brimming with unique activities. From discovering Arctic wildlife to learning about the area’s storied war history, Kirkenes is worth a visit any time of year.

February 7th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: , |

New Norwegian Cuisine: The Future of Seafood

Imagine sitting on the ocean floor, surrounded by aquatic life. It is dim and dark, but the ocean light that shines in front of you draws you into a sea of wonders. You are beneath the surface, and this is your dining room. Here in Lindesnes, at the southernmost point of the Norwegian coast...

February 3rd, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: |

More Bucket List Adventures

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.

January 29th, 2020|Categories: Blog|

A Grand Milestone for Sons of Norway

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.

January 15th, 2020|Categories: Blog|

The “Prince of Fun” Turns 14

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.

January 15th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: |

Scandinavian Wine? Yes Indeed!

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.

January 15th, 2020|Categories: Blog|

Living Norwegian Heritage at Any Age

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.

January 14th, 2020|Categories: Blog|Tags: |
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