FolkOrg celebrates 100 years
In February FolkOrg kicked off its centennial jubilee, at Riksscenen concert hall in Oslo.
Norwegian Cabbage Rolls
Obviously, the star of the show in this recipe is the cabbage, but having a seasoned, moist meat or vegetarian filling isn’t anything to forget about either.
Kicksledding for the Greater Good
February is the month that we encourage you to get out and experience 14 days of friluftsliv. If you are lucky enough to live in a snowy climate, an example set by the Norwegians is to dig in and enjoy the winter season, however you can.
Valentine’s Traditions in the Nordics
When one thinks about Valentine’s Day, chocolate, roses, and candy hearts come to mind. But are those universal themes? Let’s explore how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the Nordic countries to peek into other traditions.
The Road to Eurovision 2023
Break out the sequins, the back-up dancers and the dazzling lights- ‘tis the season leading up to the Eurovision Song Contest! The competition created to bring post-WW II Europe together will take place in Liverpool, England this May.
Kokosboller
These delicious chocolate-covered marshmallow treats would make a great, easy dessert for a Valentine’s meal.
The Dessert Stomach
We can all agree that one of the main focal points of the holidays is food. We stuff ourselves during the main course with mashed potatoes, gravy, ham, eggnog, salad, stuffing, turkey, and so much more until we are filled to the brim. Yet somehow, we always manage to find room for dessert. How can that be?
Favorite Norwegian Cookie Survey Results
The results are in... the winner is Krumkake!
Embracing Dialects
There are two official written versions of the Norwegian language—bokmål and nynorsk—but spoken Norwegian is another situation entirely. As far as regional dialects, there are four main groupings of spoken Norwegian: Northern (nordnorsk), Central (trøndersk), Western (vestlandsk) and Eastern (østnorsk).
New Year’s Quiz
Around the holidays and New Year, family-friendly quiz shows abound in Norway, with shows presenting daily challenges from various locations. Test your knowledge with this multiple-choice quiz!
Fiskegrateng – Fish au gratin
Fiskegrateng – Fish au gratin. Winter is a great time to make this homey casserole.
What are Your Sju Slag?
Earlier this month, we launched a colorful virtual julekalender (Advent calendar) to highlight various aspects of the Norwegian holiday season. One of the important facets of norsk jul is food—both sweet and savory. The rule of thumb for julebakst (Christmas baked goods) is that you should have a good variety of cookies, in fact, seven kinds or sju slag /syv sorter kaker.
Interview With a Family Member
As you spend time with family over the holidays, take the time to learn more about your relatives and record some family stories. Sit down and chat with multiple generations and make this a group activity.
Porridge: A Norwegian Staple
When thinking about or discussing Norwegian foods, one food will undoubtedly come up: porridge. Porridge has had quite the role throughout Norway’s history. In fact, it is quite possibly the oldest hot dish in the Norwegian diet. The main grains used were barley and oats, as it was difficult to grow other grains in the cold climate.
Queen Sonja Visits Minnesota
Just as fall colors reached their richest hues in mid-October, Her Majesty Queen Sonja paid a visit to Minnesota. The Queen’s official visit covered both government and Norwegian-American entities across the state.
Viking Age Discovery Found Near Trondheim
An exciting discovery has been made just centimeters below the soil in Stjørdal, near Trondheim. Pawel Bednarski took a metal detector out to his field right before Christmas last year and uncovered a treasure trove of Viking objects.
King of Fjords
That’s another name given to the Sognefjord, and with good reason. It is the largest and deepest fjord in Norway, with a length of 128 miles and a staggering depth of over 4,000 feet.
An Arctic Ghost Town
At the outskirts of civilization, not far from the North Pole, lies the town of Pyramiden. It’s located on the remote Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. At first glance, this is a desolate-looking place, surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers and vast open skies. You will find more polar bears and arctic foxes here than people. For much of the year, you can count the number of permanent human residents on two hands.
Foundation Scholarships Available
High school seniors and current college students- it's time to start thinking about 2023! If you are a member of Sons of Norway or have a parent or grandparent who is a member, you can apply for a scholarship from the Sons of Norway Foundation.
Problematic Seagulls in Tromsø
An interesting problem has left the city of Tromsø, Norway, searching for solutions. This issue has been compared to the rat infestation in Paris, but these “rats” in Tromsø can fly, and are known as seagulls.
Bærums Verk – Haunted by History
In the western suburbs of Oslo, the historic village of Bærums Verk straddles the cascading Loma River. Many buildings here date back to the iron works which were established here in 1640. Throughout the centuries, its dedicated workforce has manufactured everything from salad forks to lighthouses.
Troll Toe Cookies
Looking for something unique and spooky for your Halloween party? We found this recipe on www.christinascucina.com and were inspired to share, adding a few touches of our own.
Vestland: When People Dream of Norway
Commanding over 13,000 square miles of majestic mountains, meandering fjords, and historic habitations, Vestland is a dreamscape of a county. A land of giants, it features the largest glacier in Europe which feeds Norway’s tallest waterfall. The westernmost point of Norway proper is on a tiny island far out to sea from the mouth of the Norway’s longest fjord, Sognefjorden. It is less than 200 miles east of the Shetland Islands of Scotland.
Norwegian Refugee Council Awarded Conrad Hilton Humanitarian Prize
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is a family foundation that strives to improve the lives of individuals living in poverty by providing funds to nonprofit organizations working hands-on for this goal. The Foundation was established in 1944 and has since become one of the larger philanthropic foundations in the world.
Northern Survivors: Polar Bears
Polar bears are native to the lands and waters in the Arctic Circle. Several physical adaptations to preserve heat and help them in their hunt for their prey have allowed them to dominate one of the least hospitable climates on the planet.