Viking Magazine - Jul/Aug 2023 - 33

THREE QUESTIONS
CULTURAL SKILLS
UNIT 13: FOLK DANCING
Many of the dances we now think of as being traditionally
Norwegian are actually adapted imports from other countries.
In years gone by, trends in music and dance migrated across
national borders, just as they do
today. Styles that were developed
in continental Europe like the
reinlender and vals arrived in Norway
in the 18th and 19th centuries. Over
time, Norwegians put their own
twists on the imported dances and
set them to Norwegian tunes and
songs. Strengthen your knowledge
and skills of Norwegian folk dancing
through Sons of Norway's Cultural
Skills Program, which provides
a step-by-step framework for
learning about traditional and
contemporary Norwegian culture.
Each unit consists of three levels of
skill-specific activities to guide you as you learn. You can complete
the units on your own, through your lodge or through a special
class or group. For each level, you'll complete a few activities, email
them to your lodge's Cultural Director (or other lodge officer), get
feedback, and earn a pin in recognition of your accomplishments.
Log in at sofn.com to get started.
Merv Eriksson has been a member
of Sons of Norway Foundation Board of
Governors since 2019 and has served as
Chair since 2021. The Foundation is
governed by the Board of Governors in
coordination with the International Board
and with logistic and management assistance
from Sons of Norway staff. He and
his wife Tolly have been members of Sons
of Norway since 1995.
Q Do you know where your ancestors
hail from in Norway?
A My grandmother emigrated in the 1890s
from Nesbyen in the Hallingdal District,
with her family. My grandfather's family
emigrated from Etne in the adjoining
Valdres District, in 1868. My father grew
up in the Åland Islands, between Sweden
and Finland, and was stranded in the U.S.
at the start of World War II.
Q What are some special Nordic traditions
you and your family do?
A Most of my Nordic traditions relate to
food. I love lutefisk and lefse and all things
sweet. Our grandchildren all love to
help make lefse, and they are amazingly
patient with the mixing and rolling.
Q What is your favorite part of
participating in Sons of Norway?
Information Bank:
Language in Norway
The Norwegian language is a bit more complex than one might think. Perhaps
the most surprising thing a foreign student learns about the Norwegian
language is that there are two of them. Despite having just 5 million people,
Norway has two written forms of its own language, plus dozens of spoken
dialects. Some Norwegians even claim it is hard for them to understand
certain dialects of their own language, and although political and social
debates heat up every so often, the country has learned to adapt. How did
it all start? To learn more, visit the Information Bank online at sofn.com.
@sonsofnorway
A The attraction and strength of Sons of
Norway is its people. Our lodge is like
family (with crazy uncles and all the
other good things that come with
families). The isolation during COVID
really showed us how much we missed
seeing and visiting with each other. Our
social events now have special meaning.
My involvement with the Foundation
has meant meeting and getting to know
members across the country and has
been a highlight of my time serving on
the Foundation Board.
Jul/Aug 2023
33
DANCERS: ANNE-LISE REINSFELT/VISIT NORWAY; NORSK ILLUSTRATION: NATALIA/ADOBE
http://www.sofn.com http://www.sofn.com
Viking Magazine - Jul/Aug 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - Jul/Aug 2023
