Authors Landmark/Garborg

FORFATTERNE/THE AUTHORS

There were many authors of cooking books, or household books, including a large section for food, made from the first cooking book in 1831 and into the 20th century in Norway. Hundreds of thousands of books were sold, and the books had mostly female authors. Not always any formal education as cooks or teachers, but it looks like they were part of a movement to teach and educate to upgrade the nation`s use of resources and have a balanced diet.

The cooking books I have chosen to translate parts of the text from are dated 1900 and the other 1903. There are no photos in these books, even if photography was in use at the time.

Marie Amalie Landmark (1845 – 1935), household teacher. She started a household school with her sister in 1883 which she ran for ten years. Then she was hired as a county representative to travel around and teach women in household and cooking, a position paid by the farming industry. In the year 1916/17 there were 36 household schools in Norway with 1136 female students, no men, which indicate she must have been one of the pioneers in 1883. My great grandmother Lina had her cooking book Cooking book for country side and city, for the countryside, 10th edition.

Hulda Garborg (1862 – 1934) author, activist, idealistic public informer who worked with theatre, folk dances, folk customs (bunad), female issues and food. Food as culture, but also food inspiration from her trips abroad as well as the knowledge of women around the country is part of her household book Heimestell, second edition. She also wrote food articles for a magazine.

In 1962 a book was published by the authors Karen G. Koht (1871 – 1960) and Rolf Thesen (1896 – 1966) with Hulda Garborg`s diary notes from the time period of 1903 – 1914. In addition, a leaflet was later made of her diary 1914 – 1919 by Karl Nilsen. I have used selected quotes from these publications for a greater understanding of the time period and Hulda Garborg`s thoughts of life, nature, food and gjestebud/fiests she attended or invited to herself.