Release your inner explorer and discover Norway’s Arctic!
Sons of Norway is pleased to bring you the following message from Travel Partner and International Convention Sponsor, Borton Overseas. Photo credit: Jens Henrik Nybo, Visitnorway.com Svalbard, Norway, a remote Arctic archipelago found along the 80th parallel, is halfway between Norway and the North Pole. It is home to the Seed Vault, and is an important research center for scientists from all over the world. Svalbard is an excellent [...]
A Day to Celebrate the Sámi
Every year February 6 marks Sámi (SAH-mee) National Day, a day when thousands of individuals join in celebrating the vivid culture and history of Scandinavia’s indigenous people. The day wasn’t officially recognized as an ethnic national holiday until 1992, but its significance stems back to the first Sámi Congress held in Trondheim, Norway over 100 years ago. The Sámi have inhabited northern Scandinavia for thousands of years, and reside [...]
Family Game Night
Embrace the simple pleasures of Hygge this winter. Silliness and fun ahead: Get ready for laughter as you play one of these Nordic-inspired games. We’ve shared three of our staff favorites; available in select stores or online. Bananagrams Norsk or standard edition. Encourage beginning spellers of English or Norwegian with this fast moving game that challenges your vocabulary. See who can quickly build crossword grids and use up their [...]
Sámi Icon: Mari Boine
This month, we celebrate National Sámi Day on Feb. 6. In Viking magazine's February issue, we highlight Mari Boine. Raised amid a Sámi community on the Finland-Norway border, international singer Boine is inspired by her roots. After singing in her native language for 30 years, she recently released her first entirely English-language album, “See the Woman.” Catch Boine on tour in Scandinavia in February and March. Here’s more from [...]
It’s Founders’ Day for Sønner af Norge
January 16 is a day of celebration for Sons of Norway members. It’s the day we commemorate the 18 Norwegian immigrants who established our organization to assist members and their families when they experienced financial hardships. Today Sons of Norway is the largest Norwegian cultural organization outside of Norway. Here are 10 more facts about our founders and Sons of Norway. Sons of Norway founders lived in the Norwegian [...]
Nordic Coffee in NYC
In the January issue of Viking, we take readers on a Nordic tour of New York City. From cultural attractions, shops and restaurants, there are plenty of ways embrace your Scandinavian heritage in the Big Apple. As you explore, make sure to stop for a cup of Joe and a treat at these Nordic-inspired cafes. BÚÐIN This trendy café in Greenpoint serves up Scandinavian-style coffee, such as Tim Wendelboe. [...]
Bygone Times Revealed in Norway’s Abandoned Farms
Author and historian Øystein Morten has studied ødegårder—abandoned farms—at length. Fascinated by their vacant, fallen structures, Morten believes deserted farms have a particular allure and tell us something important about the places and the culture that Norwegians have moved away from. With photographer Pål Hermansen, Morten has published—Norske ødegårder – Historien om stedene vi forlot—("Abandoned Norwegian Farms - The History of the Places We Left"), a book featuring nine [...]
Electrified: The World’s First Hybrid Cruise Ship
Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten is investing in ships with a hybrid engine developed by Rolls Royce. The ships, constructed at Kleven Yards in Norway, are expected to launch in 2018 and 2019. The launch of these hybrid ships will be an important milestone in Hurtigruten’s goal of sailing fully electric ships to the Arctic and Antarctic. The ships will have the ability to switch between fossil fuel and electric [...]
Norwegian Christmas Traditions featured in New Disney Short Film
Photo Credit: Disney/Pixar "Olaf's Frozen Adventure" Find yourself missing the holiday season already? If so, you can continue celebrating those beloved Norwegian Christmas traditions well into the New Year by watching the newly released short film, “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.” Building further upon the Norwegian references introduced in the original film “Frozen,” this 22-minute spin-off features a number of Scandinavian holiday customs many will be sure to recognize. The film [...]
Sherpas Blaze New Trails in Norway
A group of Sherpas from Nepal have spent the last 18 years reconstructing Norway’s mountain paths for locals and tourists to enjoy. They have built paths and stairways in more than 100 different locations throughout Norway. Sherpas are from villages in the Himalayan mountain range near Mount Everest. They are known for their strength and capacity to work in high altitudes. Sherpas are very skilled in collecting stones from [...]
5 Stays in the Faroe Islands
Located halfway between Iceland and Norway, the Faroes are an 18-island archipelago of unspoiled natural beauty. They offer unique and thrilling experiences for every kind of traveler. Check out the January issue of Viking magazine to learn more. Here, we highlight five places to stay in the Faroes. Hotel Vágar If you want to be close to Vágar airport, this 3-star hotel is convenient. The small fishing village of [...]
Meet Chief Operating Officer Chris Pinkerton
Note: This interview was originally posted in December 2017. Chris Pinkerton was named CEO of Sons of Norway in March 2020. Q. Welcome to Sons of Norway, Chris, and congratulations on being Sons of Norway’s first-ever Chief Operating Officer. What attracted you to this position at our organization? A. A couple of things. First, I had a great experience working at Foresters, a fraternal benefit organization headquartered in Toronto. Fraternal [...]
Behind the Scenes: A Sweet Photo Shoot
The Viking team shot the December cover story in late September with baker and food stylist Betsy Nelson and photographer Richard Westley Wong. We had so much fun preparing the treats — and eating them once the shoot wrapped. Take a look at some of our favorite moments below. Since the tree cake toppers had to set for at least an hour, Betsy tackled those first. She set our [...]
Musicians Make Music Accompanied by Moonlight and Ice
Photo Credit: Emile Holba, icemusicfestival.no As the midnight hour strikes on Feb. 6, a group of international musicians will perform at the annual Ice Music Festival in Norway. The festival brings in more than 1,500 attendees in sub-zero temperatures to hear unpredictable melodies produced by instruments made of ice and snow. Norwegian percussionist and innovator of the festival, Terje Isungset, came up with the concept of ice music while [...]
Behind the Christmas Tradition: the Julebukk
On lille julaften (December 23), Norwegian families typically decorate the juletre (Christmas tree), adorning the branches with handmade woven baskets, lights, Norwegian flags and figures made from straw. One of the traditional straw ornaments is the julebukk, or Yule Goat. Many of Norway’s Christmas symbols stem from pre-Christian times, and the Yule Goat is no exception. It was believed that the last sheaf of harvested corn contained the power [...]