Trolls, elves, dwarves and gods. These are just a few of the many fabled creatures that are deeply embedded in our popular culture, from comic books to movies to video games. But where did they originate?
Did you know that the Arctic region is home to volcanoes? Iceland is actually one of the most volcanically active places in the world thanks to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet.
Part of the Super Bowl experience is enjoying the creative ads that punctuate the game. At $5.5 million per 30 second ad, they’ve got to be memorable. A common way to garner attention is through celebrity appearances.
In a recent list of the top ten coffee-consuming countries reported by WorldAtlas, half were Nordic countries. In fact, Norway claimed second place right behind Finland. Although it is very apparent from this list that Norwegians love their coffee, that has not always been the case.
Ski trails made of artificial snow in the Voldslokka park in Oslo. Image credit: AFP As the Easter season approaches and winter prepares to melt away, Oslo residents are bustling to escape into marka, the wooded hills surrounding the city, to enjoy one of Norway’s most favored forms of recreation: cross-country skiing. This final pilgrimage of the season typically results [...]
Norway is known for its abundant natural beauty, with glaciers, fjords, mountains and lush greenery. Even metropolitan areas like Oslo offer hiking opportunities and breathtaking views nearby. The March issue of Viking highlights five accessible hiking spots near this area, with scenic trails, spectacular views and interesting cultural landmarks. Here are a few more beautiful places to explore in Norway for [...]
Norway’s first Viking longship excavation in over a century is nearing its final stages, with work expected to conclude in early 2021 following an extension of the project. It has been a source of fascination among academics and casual enthusiasts alike, with findings that may shed new light on early Viking society.
Much of the content that makes its way to North America may give you the feeling that Norwegian TV and movies are either gruesome (think Norsemen, Borderliner) or dead serious (Occupied, Beforeigners) or both (The 12th Man, 22nd July).
Living on an island nation has its challenges, not the least of which is transportation. In the year 2000, the government of the Faroe Islands approved construction of the country’s first underwater commuter tunnel.
This month, on February 6, we celebrate National Sámi Day. For the indigenous people of the Sápmi region, which spans the northernmost parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, storytelling through song has been part of their culture for centuries.
