50 Years of Oil and Gas
This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the first commercial oil and gas field, Ekofisk, in the Norwegian part of the North Sea. Growing up in Oslo in the 1960s and ’70s, I saw how oil and gas transformed Norway.
Rhythm Among the Roses
Moldejazz, which also goes by Molde International Jazz Festival, was founded in 1961 and is the second-oldest jazz festival in Europe. The festival is held during the 29th week of the year.
World Recognition for Nordic Culinary Excellence
Scandi sweep the 2019 Bocuse d’Or - At the 17th Bocuse d’Or, a prestigious culinary competition in France, Scandinavian countries swept all three podium spots.
CEO Eivind Heiberg Supports “Viking” WWII Memorial
Sons of Norway CEO Eivind Heiberg, acting in his dual capacity as Honorary Consulate General for the Kingdom of Norway, made an appearance at Fort Snelling on May 21, 2019, in support of an effort to memorialize the 99th Infantry Battalion, an elite unit of Norwegian-speaking soldiers who fought for the U.S. Army in World War II.
“The Farm” Puts Celebrities to Work
Imagine a competition where you have to milk a cow, wrestle, or build and start a bonfire for a chance to win big. Norwegian reality TV series Farmen Kjendis (Celebrity Farmer) is the celebrity spin-off of another Norwegian reality TV series, Farmen (The Farm).
Reduce Your Tax Liability With This Easy Fix
If you have assets like a CD, money market account, stocks or bonds that you have been planning to transfer to the next generation as a legacy, here is something you should know: These types of assets often pass to your beneficiaries with either tax or probate consequences.
Rye & Banana Bread
In the June issue of Viking, entrepreneur and author Brontë Aurell shared recipes from her book, “ScandiKitchen Summer.” And while banana bread might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of traditional Scandinavian eats, Aurell has a cooking mind of her own. Check out her banana recipe with a special Scandi twist.
Sons of Norway Foundation Announces 2018 Grant Recipients
We are pleased to announce that the Sons of Norway Foundation awarded more than $18,000 in grants to 33 lodges last year. Three types of grants are available to assist lodges in the following areas.
Pride—Human Rights for All
Last year we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While most people probably have a vague idea of what fundamental human rights are, we live in a part of the world where many—myself included—probably take them more or less for granted.
Day Trip: Oslo to Lillehammer
Ahh, day trips. A time to recharge and discover a town’s cultural allure, heritage and quaint quirks. In the May issue of Viking, we took readers on quick day getaways from Oslo and Bergen...
Norwegian-Sami Music Group on the Rise
In the International Year of Indigenous Languages, Sami-influenced music group KEiiNO has been selected to represent Norway at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest this month. The group, consisting of Sami songwriter and rapper Fred Buljo and Norwegian singers Alexandra Rotan and Tom Hugo...
Prison Prizes Respect
Halden Fengsel, Norway’s second-largest prison, is a facility that emphasizes respect and focuses on the rehabilitation of its inmates. The prison opened in 2010 and although considered a high-security prison, it has no conventional security devices.
Summer Travel Notes
If your travels take you to Norway this summer, be ready to experience all the drama and beauty the country has to offer: Intricacies of a vast coastline. Mesmerizing waterfalls. Diverse species of native birds. Hiking trails. Glorious beaches.
Make that Surplus Tax Refund Work for You
Sure, treat yourself to a new pair of shoes or see that award-winning film before the month is out. Then, jump in and consider the best way to use your tax refund. Here are some ideas. 1. Pay off debt - Don't let those credit cards get the best of you...
Timeless Ideas Guide Norway’s Foreign Policy
Every May, Norwegians all over the world celebrate Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day. Signed 205 years ago, Norway’s is the second-oldest written constitution in the world that is still in use. The oldest, which in many ways served as a model for Norway’s founding fathers, is the American Constitution.