3 minute read
From Our House to Yours
Julmarknad Vendors
For a full list of Julmarknad vendors, visit asimn.org. Additional vendors will be in the Courtyard on select Thursday evenings and weekends throughout the season.
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Julmarknad
Handcraft Market & Festival
Saturday, December 4 – Sunday, December 5, 2021 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days
Preview Night
Friday, December 3, 2021
We are thrilled to welcome back Julmarknad, one of the American Swedish Institute's most beloved traditions. Once upon a time — in 2008, so not that long ago — ASI opened its doors to its first Christmas Fair. Over the years it has evolved from a quiet winter market in the Mansion to an over 4,000-attendee festival thanks to the addition of the Nelson Cultural Center in 2012. With more than 40 local and regional handcraft artists to shop from, a Mansion full of music and holiday magic, family activities, bonfires, kicksleds, and outdoor fun, Julmarknad weekend continues to grow as more people include this special weekend in their annual holiday traditions. With this growth comes the opportunity for change. We are excited to share with you some new Julmarknad traditions for 2021.
This year, FIKA Café's bake sale — historically only a part of Julmarknad weekend — will start during the festival and extend through Christmas. Bake sale pre-orders will now be required and must be made at least one week in advance. The entire lower level of the Mansion will now be a family-friendly zone with more room for hands-on craft and story time right next door to the Family Gallery.
Musical performances will move out of the ballroom and be spread out amongst the Mansion, NCC, and courtyard with smaller, pop-up performances to add that little bit of magic to every area of the festival. In true Scandinavian form, head outdoors to stumble upon the (almost) new little red market sheds nestled among the fire pits where you’ll find even more handcraft artists and pastries from FIKA to enjoy with a warm cup of glögg. Also new to the outdoor experience this year, we are excited to include our inaugural Kubb Tournament Playoffs during the weekend where you can watch 10 teams compete for the title of Julmarknad Kubb Champion. Finally, in order to bring you the best — and safest — experience possible, we will be requiring advance tickets to the festival this year. We are excited to welcome you back for our largest weekend of the year to celebrate the warmth of the season.
New this year! Advance registration required.
Advance registration is required for both days of Julmarknad, as well as the Preview Night. See asimn.org for more information and how to register.
From our house to yours… Happy Holidays!
Your Home Away from Home
Contribute to ASI this Holiday Season
When the Turnblads built the historic Mansion, the structure was only intended to be a personal residence briefly. Historians speculate that the grand home was never fully furnished and saw few visitors during the time in which the Turnblad family called the Mansion home in the early 20th century.
Today, ASI is the home away from home for thousands of individuals across the country. Loved ones have gathered to celebrate special milestones in the courtyard. Families have eaten a meatball lunch from FIKA Café take-out style in their own homes. Friends separated by great geographical distances have participated in virtual language classes or handcraft workshops. ASI, our home away from home, offers a space to connect in community.
Supporters have welcomed ASI into their homes in amazing ways during the ongoing pandemic. We have found creative ways to virtually bring value and meaning into the homes of our community members.
Our homes are more than transient places we pass through between work, travel and commitments, but rather the cornerstones of our daily lives. Regardless of our own experiences with home, our physical dwellings carry more significance than everbefore. When the future feels unknown, the commitment to build a gathering place, ahome, fit for generations to comeremains more important than ever.
This holiday season,we invite youconsider a gift tothe American Swedish Institute. Your commitment ensures ASI continues to bring value to your home andASI remains a "home away from home" for generations to come.
Contribute to ASI this holiday season!
Visit asimn.org, or call Eleanor Beaird at 612-870-3349.
