Viking Dog: The Norwegian Elkhound
Norway’s national dog, the Norsk elghund (Norwegian Elkhound or more accurately “moose dog”) is a medium-sized dog that has hunted, herded and played guard dog since Viking times. This ancient Spitz is one of the oldest dog breeds, having originated as early as 5,000 B.C. Elkhounds have been found buried at Viking grave sites such as the Svarthola in Jæren, Norway. According to DNA research, the elkhound is descended from an extinct type of gray wolf originating in western Russia and central Europe.
Norway: The Safest Holiday Destination in Europe
In a recent analysis conducted by French travel agency Voyage Avec Nous, and data firm Flashs, Norway has topped the chart as the safest holiday destination in Europe. This analysis was structured using five criteria: health, security, road deaths, robberies, and intentional homicides. The data for these criteria came from the EuroHealth Consumer Index, Global Peace Index 2021, and Eurostat. The areas that tipped the scales to Norway were Norway’s security, as well as low levels of road deaths and murders.
What’s in a Name Day?
Use the celebration of Norwegian name days as a cultural activity! First, a little background: Each day of the Norwegian calendar year has a name or multiple names assigned to it. This tradition was created by the early Christian church and continued in the Catholic tradition of honoring saints. In Scandinavia, the creation of an almanac occurred in Sweden in 1757, and official name days were assigned. After this point, [...]
Two Frequently Asked Membership Questions
Transferring a Member into your Lodge If someone contacts you about transferring their membership into your lodge, and your lodge is happy to accept them as a member: You do not need to collect any money when a member transfers in, unless their membership is suspended or cancelled. Get their name and member number, and the names and member numbers of any other family members who are transferring into [...]
Four Stops Along St. Olav Ways
Named after King Olav II, a renowned Viking leader buried in Trondheim’s Nidaros Cathedral, St. Olav Ways is a group of historical pilgrim pathways with a variety of destinations for travelers to explore today.
Haakon Magnus, 30 years as heir
Haakon Magnus was just 17 when his grandfather died and his father became King. At that time, it was tradition for the first-born son to succeed the throne. Despite his sister Märtha Louise being 2 years his senior, Haakon Magnus was given the title Crown Prince and became heir to the throne.
Trøndelag, the Heart of Norway
The original home of most of the founders of Sons of Norway, Trøndelag county spreads across the central section of the country. Its 16,000 square miles are dominated by mountains, with slips of green valley tucked along its coasts, fjords and rivers. Its most notable natural feature is the Trondheim Fjord, which slices about 80 miles inland; first southward to Trondheim, then jagging northeast up to the town of Steinkjer.
Birthplace of Roald Amundsen Now Open to the Public
Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer born in 1872, is known as one of the greatest figures in the field of polar exploration. In fact, he was the first person to reach the South Pole and the first to cross the Arctic by air.
Matpakke Wraps
This simple, healthy wrap is a take on the traditional Norwegian matpakke. Matpakke is a lunch you take to school or work and most commonly includes an open-faced sandwich wrapped in parchment paper. This wrap is a great option for children to make as they head back to school or a tasty snack for a fall hike.
Savor Summer with these Five Nordic Reads
As you soak up the remaining weeks of summer, now is the perfect time to relax with a good book. In our August issue of Viking, we shared 13 new Nordic books covering a range of genres that offer a glimpse into Scandinavian literature through captivating stories. Here are five more wonderful books from Norwegian authors to add to your list.
3 Spectacular Saunas in Norway
With famously snowy winters, it’s no surprise that Norway is home to many cozy saunas—one of which was featured in the July issue of Viking. The Telemark Canal’s stunning Soria Moria Sauna is one of six art installations in “Tales of the Waterway,” with design elements reflecting the surrounding natural beauty. Here are three more unique sauna experiences only found in Norway.
Viking’s Trash, Historian’s Treasure
Every spring, Vikings who wintered in settlements along the Otta River in south central Norway would gather together their livestock, pack up their sledges, and traverse snow-covered mountain passes through the Jotunheimen mountains to their summer farms at Neto, heading down again in the fall. Along the way, items would inevitably be lost or discarded.
Lodge Anniversaries in 2021 (25, 50, 75 and 100 Years)
6-052 Nordahl Grieg San Jose, CA 2/16/1946 75 Years 4-488 Nordlyset Bottineau, ND 4/24/1971 50 Years 3-432 Hudson Valley Kingston, NY 5/10/1946 75 Years 7-053 Eidsvold Victoria, BC 5/25/1946 75 Years 3-514 Gulfstream Fort Pierce, FL 5/29/1971 50 Years 5-642 Ostestaden Monroe, WI 6/14/1996 25 Years 3-646 Blå Fjell Bedford, VA 10/12/1996 25 Years 3-215 Nordkap Baltimore, MD 10/15/1921 100 Years 5-513 Vennelag Mount Horeb, WI 11/19/1971 50 Years 1-509 [...]
Oslo Opera House Welcomes Sandy Beach
The construction of the Oslo Opera house in 2008 was a significant moment in Norway’s architectural history. The building, which was designed by Snøhetta, features the roof of the building angling to ground level so that pedestrians can walk up and enjoy the city’s panoramic view.
Retired But Not Resting
On the eve of the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics Viking magazine interviewed Gunn-Rita Dahle about how she became a pro mountain biker. She mentioned her favorite racing fuel (grilled salmon with rice and vegetables) and discussed her goals for the season. A few weeks later, she took the gold in Athens as well as in the World Championship. In the years that followed, she became world champ six more times, for a total of 10 years on top.