Espen Fadnes: Thrill Seeker
Espen Fadnes travels the world chasing adrenaline-filled experiences. The multisport extreme athlete hails from Molde, Norway, where he spent his childhood skiing, climbing and swimming. Today, he’s a professional freeride skier, base jumper and wingsuit flyer. When he’s not flying through the air, Fadnes is a motivational speaker tackling subjects such as risk management and conquering fear. Learn more about Fadnes in the October 2015 issue of Viking magazine and [...]
31st Annual Nordic American Thanksgiving Breakfast
The Nordic American Thanksgiving Breakfast returns for its 31st year on November 24th. This annual event, which is held at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington, brings together people of Nordic heritage in a celebration of thankfulness for the privileges of freedom, faith, family and friends. This year’s breakfast includes three extraordinary speakers from the community who will discuss their experiences and personal feelings on each of these topics. [...]
Nordic Restaurants in North America
You don’t have to live in Norway to indulge in Nordic cuisine. In Viking magazine's September 2015 issue, we highlight wonderful Scandinavian restaurants in North America, from The Bachelor Farmer in Minneapolis to Karelia Kitchen in Toronto. Thank you to the members who wrote in to let us know about some of your favorite Scandinavian restaurants. Send your ideas and recommendations to Viking’s editor at [email protected]. Here are four [...]
Chef Trine Hahnemann
As we celebrate Scandinavian food and chefs in Viking’s September issue, we are thrilled to include Trine Hahnemann. Early in her culinary career, she ran a catering company that served rock stars, such as Elton John and the Rolling Stones. Today, the chef and cookbook author runs her own company, Hahnemann’s Kitchen, and teaches cooking classes. Hahnemann is probably best known for her book, “Scandinavian Baking.” Check out her [...]
Sons of Norway Member Appointed as Norway’s New Honorary Consul in Alaska
Lise Kristiansen Falskow, a longtime Sons of Norway member and native Alaskan was recently named the new Norwegian Honorary Consul for her home state. The appointment, which was formally announced on August 26 by Norway’s Ambassador to the United States, Kåre Aas. Falskow was born in Anchorage, Alaska and has been an active member of Sons of Norway since she was a child when her parents Kjell and Past [...]
From the Kitchen of Even Ramsvik
In the September 2015 issue of Viking magazine, we celebrate the cuisine and chefs that make Scandinavia a culinary star in Europe. On page 14, meet four of Norway’s top chefs—Esben Holmboe Bang, Geir Skeie, Even Ramsvik and Sven Erik Renaa. These prize-winning chefs serve up innovative food grounded in a commitment to local ingredients and a respect for seasonality. At his Michelin award-winning Oslo restaurant Ylajali, Even Ramsvik [...]
Making His Mark
Minnesota native Curt Rice starts his new position this month as president of Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (HiOA). This makes him the first non-Norwegian head of a Norwegian institution for higher education. Viking featured Rice in the August 2015 issue. Check it out on page 46 and see more from the interview below. Q: What makes you passionate about education? A: I’ve spent my entire [...]
Nico & Vinz
This spring, Viking magazine had exclusive access to interview Norway’s hottest music exports, Nico & Vinz. The duo skyrocketed to fame with the release of their song, “Am I Wrong,” when it released in the United States last summer. Since then, they’ve burned up the Billboard charts, released their first full-length album, “Black Star Elephant” and toured the world. Their songs blend pop, reggae, hip-hop and their African roots [...]
Norwegian Experience: Bergen & Stavanger
Due to yesterday’s big announcement, we had to delay this post, but we are back on track today with the final update from our Norwegian Experience winner. This post covers their final days in Norway, where program sponsor Borton Overseas planned some great excursions in Bergen and Stavanger. SofN: So, last Friday you went from Bergen to Stavanger via the coastal route, was it as beautiful as it sounds? [...]
Sons of Norway CEO Named New Honorary Consul General
Sons of Norway is pleased to announce that its CEO, Eivind Heiberg has been named the new Honorary Consul General for the state of Minnesota. The appointment was revealed shortly after 3pm today by His Excellency Ambassador Kåre R. Aas as part of a visit to the Sons of Norway Headquarters in Minneapolis, MN. “CEO Eivind Heiberg is extremely well qualified to take up the position as Consul General [...]
Norwegian Experience: Bergen
Today we are checking in with our Norwegian Experience winner as they go on a fjord excursion and explore the beautiful city of Bergen. SofN: I see from your itinerary that you took a fjord cruise. How was it? SB: The fjord cruise was nice. It was a fun way to travel. It was a bit rainy, but I understand that is part of the magic of the mountains and [...]
Norwegian Experience: Oslo and Balestrand
Today we check in with Sue, our Norwegian Experience winner to see how her first couple of days in Norway have gone. Thanks to Borton Overseas, she spent Monday and Tuesday of this week visiting the beautiful cities of Oslo and Balestrand. Let’s see what all she’s done so far. SofN: Hi, Sue! I know you spent your first day in Norway on a private, guided tour of Oslo. [...]
2015 Norwegian Experience Trip
Tomorrow is a big day for Sons of Norway member Sue Bjornstad because, as the winner of last year’s Norwegian Experience contest, she’s about to go on the trip of a lifetime! The Sons of Norway blog is going to follow along throughout her trip to Norway, which is sponsored by our travel partner Borton Overseas, and report back on her experiences. But before she leaves we were able [...]
Crime Author Karin Fossum
Best known for her captivating Inspector Sejer series, Karin Fossum is one of Norway’s bestselling crime writers. Her books are translated into 30 languages, and Fossum has won numerous awards, including the Glass Key Award for the best Nordic crime novel and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. In the July 2015 issue of Viking, we spoke with Fossum about her career and what inspires her novels. Check it out [...]
More With Fredric Aasbø
Norwegian professional drift driver Fredric Aasbø has the need for speed. He fell in love with cars at the age of five and raced go-karts as a teenager. Aasbø made a splash on the drift-racing scene during his rookie year in 2010. Today, the 29-year-old is part of a California-based team that travels the world competing in races. This summer and fall, catch him at racing events in the [...]