Stories, Stonework Stewardship

Northern Nature

Photography by Erika Skogg

November 13, 2021 - January 9, 2022

Images radiating the warmth of tradition balance the winter chill as part of Wisconsinbased National Geographic Explorer Erika Skogg’s photography series, Northern Nature, on view at ASI this holiday season.

Taken during visits to homes and communities across the Upper Midwest, Erika’s joy-filled and thoughtful photographs preserve and uplift Nordic-American culture and are the perfect complement to ASI’s holiday exhibition, From Our House to Yours.

Learn more about Northern Nature online at asimn.org.

American Swedish Institute: You describe yourself as a “direct descendant of an ancient clan of Norwegian Vikings.” What are the traditions that you have preserved or adapted as part of your life today?

Erika Skogg: I wrote that bit about being a Viking descendent to be melodramatic, but the part that follows: ‘a propensity towards exploration and resilience to freezing temperatures' are all traits that encourage her adventurous nature is true. I grew up camping and skiing through our State Parks and took most of my summer baths in the Great Lakes (still do). The friluftsliv Nordic concept of spending time outside no matter what the weather has become an integral practice in my life and work.

Many photographs I took were during some of the coldest winters on recent record. The families happily hiked through chest deep snow and proudly tended to their sheep and fjord horses during polar vortex temperatures so they could introduce me to their worlds. The only time I finally put my camera away was when it was too cold for my batteries to function, or when I was invited into the sauna for some "cultural immersion."

I did not grow up with many of the Scandinavian traditions, so this project became a personal, cultural and educational journey for me. ASI: Has the process of photographing Scandinavian celebrations made you more interested in finding out about your own family’s genealogy?

ES: Midsommar and Lucia are both such beautiful homages to our perpetual ties with Sweden and Scandinavia; by photographing them I’m hopeful it will contextualize our ties to our immigrant past and foster the necessary respect and understanding of today’s immigration. The numerous Nordic celebrations and parades I photographed made me question why we don’t get out there and attend each other’s cultural celebrations more often. We would probably learn a bit more about each other and most likely try some new food … sort of like traveling abroad, right?

ASI: You have worked with National Geographic in such diverse places as Morocco, Cuba, Tanzania to Ecuador. What have you discovered in your travels?

ES: My original attraction was to explore places rich with history, stories and culture. It never occurred to me that I would realize that the Midwest had its own unique subculture worthy of a photography project. I applied for one of the National Geographic Society’s Storytelling Grants with the idea to start documenting our Scandinavian and Nordic-American communities in the Upper Midwest and have been working on this project since 2018. The incredible Scandinavian culture was too close for me to see it — so it took leaving home to realize it.

A common thread while traveling is how much the images are enjoyed. You don’t need to know the language or specific words to turn the camera around and let people look through the digital photographs; everything is translated by the expressions lit up by the screen.

ASI: You’ve worked with Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and other groups and organizations.

Join Erika Skogg at these ASI Events

Virtual Artist Talk Thursday, November 18, 1 – 2 p.m. Photography Lecture & Workshop Saturday, November 27, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn more and register at asimn.org.

Do you think “Scandinavian Americans” are becoming more similar over time?

ES: Each culture wants autonomy, but at the same time is happy to share the Nordic stage. I attended a winter parade in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with Vikings, Santa Lucia and a Finnish reindeer herder all attending. But I also learned that the Finns don’t like to be grouped into the "Scandinavian" label as they don’t speak a Scandinavian language. So I began substituting "Nordic" to cover my bases.

The most distinctive trait among ScandinavianAmericans is that we have created our very own culture separate from the motherland. Wool outfits have shifted to cotton to endure hot U.S. summers and family recipes have evolved to incorporate local ingredients. It feels less about getting it exactly right, and more about how we can continue to celebrate and make sure the next generation is excited about their culture and history.

Memorials & Tributes

IN MEMORY OF

Anthony (Tony) Almén Marilyn Almén Louise Anderson Peggy Korsmo-Kennon and

Michael Kennon Roger and Audrey Anderson Jean E. Anderson and

Tony Lawrence Margrét Kristjánsdóttir Arnar Rannveig Arnar Hommema Betty Jean Benson Orion L. Benson and

Eloise Graham Bob and Irene Benson Elsie Boquist Roger Berglund Terri Berglund Dr. William Charles “Bill” Beyer Matthew Dion Jeanne Bjornberg Michael Bjornberg and Ann Haugejorde Marilyn Lundberg Boyce Becca Lundberg My Father, Harris V. Brandt Gaylon Brandt Carmen Hope Brunner Donald Wahlberg Lorene Bursch Beverly Bursch Margareta Crabo Sonja and Bjoern Ahlgren Douglas and Linda Foster Ewa and Anders Rydåker Kathryn Loseth and Paul Pederson Jeannette Cummings Betty Aldrich Richard “Dick” Dahlquist Bruce Karstadt Michelle Madeline Dalquist Bruce Karstadt Dorothy Staugaard Dalquist Bruce Karstadt Dorothy “Dot” Delegard Kirsten Delegard and

James Shiffer Mary (Molly) Flowers Mary Swenson Paul and Ruth Tillquist Margareta Eide Margit Schott Irma Ekstrom Clarice Hibbard Diane Nelson Pauline “Polly” Erickson Roland Erickson Lars Fällström, Sweden David and Sheryl Johnson Marjorie Green Hammel, Green and

Abrahamson (HGA) Jerome and Elaine Green Shelley Green Chris Johnson Jill Kaczke Muriel Lundell and Joy Felix Holly and Gary Martini Leslie Volbert Bo Hedlund John and Lani Bennett Jane and Michael Brodie Paul and Susan Dragsten Grandparents Margreta and Johan Dennis and Sandra Nelson Roy Ragnar Johnson James and Donna Blomquist Charles and Lucille Grosch Jean Hammond Sheryl Lindholm Nancy Youngdahl Karin Maria Hellzen Hakanson Rolf and Lisa Bjornson Barbara Burleigh Lars and Ingrid Graff Donna Meier Wayne Schmidt Oscar Melvin Hokanson Marie Cone William C Holt Jr and Joyce Schlander Holt Thomas and Candyce Hals Märta Johansson Dan and Corinne Engstrand Todd Richter Betty Johnson Scandinavian Friends Josephine P. Johnson Carol Brandenburg Roger Johnson Carol, William, Jacob, and

Max Stauffer Kathryn (Kitty) Johnson Marilyn Johnson Wayne “Barney” Johnson Charlotte Erickson Bruce Karstadt Lisa Paulson Jeanne Koeppl Jeff and Sue Anderson Ralph and Diana Ledin Eva Lancello Sandy Flynn Carolyn and John Forney Eivor Lund Cheryl Ranck Margit Schott Jan Tserchne Karin L. Larson Peggy Korsmo-Kennon and

Michael Kennon Marlys R. Larson Kenneth Larson Bernard W. Lindgren Carol Lindgren Jacobs and

William Jacobs Richard T. Lindgren Lois Lindgren Robert “Bobby” Lindholm Robert and Susan Brinkhaus Michael and Jean Lindholm Roy N. Magnuson Jorene Magnuson Robert Marsyla George and JoAnn Swanson Anna-Mari N. Martz Ulla H. and Erik Martz Conrad Nelson Muriel Johnson Lowell B. Nelson Mary Jo Nelson and Michael Naas Margaret Stensköld Nelson Laurie Jacobi and Cotty Lowry Bruce Karstadt Ewa and Anders Rydåker Margaret and Bert Nelson Peggy Korsmo-Kennon and

Michael Kennon Marie Markley (Tei-Tei) Glen and Betty Lindberg Joy Olson Scandinavian Friends Gerald Peterson Susan Peterson Rodney Rappe Louise Rappe Bernard Reisberg Joanne Reisberg Joyce Rudquist and Mary Kay Rudquist Barbara Rudquist and

Barry Schreiber Axel Åke Rydeen Carl Boberg LaVonne Sauter Marlys Gillund Lynn Berit Schreyer Elizabeth Smith William “Bill” Sjolund Gordon and Renae Dierauer Corrine and Dan Engstrand Karen Gabrielson Margo Greuel Nancy Horberg Kent and Birgit Johnson Muriel Johnson Sherry and Grace Kleinsasser David and Sandra Macpherson Steve and Jo Meyer Marilyn Nelson Louis Ehasz and Elizabeth

Newberry Debbie Nielsen Jeanne Nordby and Family Faye Olson Diane and Rick Peck Richard and Judy Sandeen Gerald Shoultz The John and Norma

Westman Family Jeff and Gloria Whessel Melvin Skoglund Michelle Halverson Corinne Strand Ewa and Anders Rydåker Andrew Stenbro Margaret and Thomas Vinson Swan and Matilda Strand Dolores Jacobson John W. (Peterson) Vezina David G. Anderson Harlan Widholm Vicki Munson Duane Wiita Margaret Wiita Maria Winters Kathryn Symes Cheryl Zilka

IN HONOR OF

Erma Comstock’s 90th Birthday Christine and Charles Lane Herbert Johnson Judith Miller Christiana and Dave Stolpestad Duluth Swedes and a Friendship that lasted 90+ Years Adelaide Cline Family Dennis Erickson In Honor of Ann-Charlotte Harvey and In Memory of Maury Bernstein: “Memories of Snoose Boulevard” Gib and Judy Krohn Carleton Molin Rebecca Alamat Massey Martha Manning Karen Bieschke Swedish Hospital Alumnae Association Bruce Karstadt Thomas Nelson Esq. Allen and Linda Saeks Rebecca Ramgren Judy Ramgren Russell Susag on his 90th Birthday Katie Bauer Anne Susag Amy Susag Maynard Ross Sutter Barbara and Van Anderson Jeanine Westling Joan and Ted Brinkman

If you would like to make a gift in honor or memory of a loved one or special occasion, you can always visit ASImn.org/support or contact Eleanor Beaird, Member and Donor Services, at eleanorb@ asimn.org or (612) 870-3349 or mail Attn: ASI Development Office, American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407. Gifts Received April 30 – October 5, 2021

Nordic Happenings

Lilla Spelmanslag The Lilla lag is a youth fiddle/cello folk music group of young musicians ages 8 to 18. We learn traditional Swedish folk music. In 2022 we will travel to Sweden to connect with three young folk music groups in three different parts of Sweden and attend a folk music festival and fiddle camp. We are doing outdoor rehearsals until further notice. New members are welcome. Visit our website for more information: www.asispelmanslag.org. Contact music director Ingela Haaland with questions at: ingela_eilert@yahoo.com. Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota There will be a virtual presentation by Jan Carlson on January 15 at 10 a.m.: “How to Travel Trouble-free and Absorb Your History.” Check our website, www.sgsmn.org for program and registration details. For research and translation help contact us at sgsm1983@gmail.com. Västergötland Society Välkommen! The Västergötland Society will meet Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. for their Annual Harvest Potluck and Elections, to be held in Paulson Hall. Please call Gordon Anderson with any questions at 763-788-8532. Tack så mycket! The Västergötland Society does not meet in December 2021 or January 2022. Vasa Junior Folk Dancers Meet the second and frouth Saturdays from 10-11:30 a.m. The Vasa Junior Folk Dancers meet in the downstairs classroom. Boys and girls from 3 to 18 are welcome to join. Contact Carolyn Spargo at carolynspargo@gmail.com. The Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag For information about reharsals and events, contact inquiries@tcnyckelharpalag.org or Cheryl Paschke at 612-670-6356.

Clubs & Performing Groups

Scandinavian Friends Scandinavian Friends will meet for lunch at noon on November 8 and December 13 in Larson Hall at the American Swedish Institute. We will not meet in January. Call or email Muriel Johnson at 952-831-4180 or murjo3663@gmail.com for further information. SWEA International in Minnesota Our Julfest/Christmas Party is back! Join us on December 4 at Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church. There are more winter get-togethers and our interest groups — book, film, gourmet, outdoor, downtown, mother and child — offer a variety of activities. For more information contact sweaminnesota@gmail. com or visit our website at minnesota.swea.org ASI Male Chorus New members welcome. Contact Chuck Upcraft at 612-371-3731 or email Ted Johnson at tdreamintl@mindspring.com. More information can be found at asimalechorus.org. ASI Male Chorus Circle of Friends This group supports the ASI Male Chorus through promotion and fundraising. To volunteer or contribute contact us at asimccf@gmail.com The Cloudberries ASI Women’s Choir Check us out on Facebook at “ASI Cloudberries”. ASI Spelmanslag The ASI Spelmanslag will be continuing to make plans for holiday practices and events. For more information, please see our website asispelmanslag. org or call Suzanne Walters at 651-633-1607. Svea Club Svea Club will have a Christmas Potluck in the Kaffestuga at 12 noon on Wednesday, December 8. Contact Margareta Beyer at 651-644-5116. Kaffestuga Friends Kaffestuga Friends meet for conversation, coffee, and treats in the Stuga at 1 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month (except November and December). Our net meeting will be on January 26. Questions? Contact Margareta Beyer at 651-644-5116. All ASI Members are welcome! Swedish Cultural Society of Duluth The Swedish Cultural Society of Duluth will meet November 21, 2021 at 2:30PM at First Covenant Church, Duluth, for singing, a program and fika. Our Lucia Celebration will take place on December 11, 2021 at the Duluth Holiday Ballroom. Tickets must be purchased in advance. There will be no meeting in January. For more information, please contact Jenn Conboy at 218-623-2262 or jenniferconboy@hotmail.com. The Swedish Cultural Heritage Society of the Red River Valley The Swedish Cultural Heritage Society of the Red River Valley in Fargo, North Dakota, is hosting our Santa Lucia Celebration on Saturday, December 11 at 10 a.m. at Bethesda Lutheran Church: 401 40th Ave S Moorhead, MN. The event will be followed by a potluck brunch. Open to the public. Family-friendly.

Sweden & Swedish

News from ASI and abroad

ABBA Thrills Fans with New Songs and “Abbatars”

Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, better known as ABBA, have just released their first new music since 1982 and landed a top 10 UK single. The Swedish supergroup, now all in their 70s and lauded for such pop classics as “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me,” garnered more than 400 million album sales over 50 years. They also announced a new album and the launch of a new theatrical show called “ABBA Voyage,” in which they will perform as digital avatars — or “Abbatars” — using sophisticated hologram technology alongside live performers. A website called abbavoyage. com promises a “historic livestream.”

Work with us!

ASI is hiring for a number of full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions. Visit asimn.org to learn more.

Coming soon! Paper Dialogues The Dragon and Our Stories Opens February 19, 2022

In this world-traveling exhibition, papercut artists Karen Bit Vejle (Norway) and Xiaoguang Qiao (China) explore a motif common in both Nordic and Chinese art — the dragon. Joined by Jersey artists Layla May Arthur and Emma Reid, the artists explore the intersections between their cultures and traditions through pieces that include intricate papercut dragon eggs, a papercut dragon that stretches more than 30 feet, and many more. The exhibition comes to ASI this February presented by Fredrikson & Byron.

Vocabulary

julgran :: Christmas tree vantar :: mittens friluftsliv :: open-air living Gott nytt år :: Happy New Year For pronunciation, visit The People’s Dictionary: folkets-lexikon.csc.kth.se/folkets/folkets. en.html

ASI Museum Store

Jul Shop opens November 11, 2021 – January 9, 2022 Shop in-person or online at asimn.org.

New from Åsas Tomtebod: Hand-felted Wool Tomtar Made in Gislaved, Sweden from all natural materials, including the curly grey wool of Gotland sheep, Åsas Tomtebod’s hand-felted wool tomtar are a holiday favorite! New this year are Alfred, Gustav and Hilma (pictured left to right). Alfred: $29 / Gustav: $49 / Hilma: $64

Oiva Toikka Glass Apple Ornaments Ring in the holidays with Iittala’s Oiva Toikka handmade glass apple ornaments. These 3-piece ornament sets are inspired by the Finnish Christmas tradition of decorating with apples. Available in green, yellow, clear or red. $49/set of 3

Klippan Yllefabrik Cashmere and Merino Wool Scarves Klippan Yllefabrik products are known worldwide for their ability to combine modern Scandinavian design with high-quality, traditional craftsmanship. These new winter scarves are made from a blend of cashmere and merino wool and are the perfect way to cozy up for the cold months ahead. Pictured are ‘Storm’ (dark gray) and ‘Tippy’ (blue). $115

Member Appreciation Weekend!

From November 11 – 14, in-store only, ASI members get special discounts. Find out more at asimn.org

Merino Wool Blankets from Öjbro Vantfabrik Drawing from the rich traditions of folk art, the textile patterns of Swedish designers Åse and Ted Öjbro speak to the rustic charms of Nordic life and history. Their newest, generously-sized blankets are woven from 100% merino wool and are perfect for keeping cozy on long winter nights. Available in the Dalarna (pictured, top), Ekshärad Sot (pictured, bottom), Ekshärad Röd and Futhark Thorbjörg designs. 52” X 87”. $150