A Sampling of Norwegian Movies and more music from Norway

I had a Norwegian bachelor farmer-uncle.

Fans of Prairie Home Companion will understand this reference!

He lived in a tiny cottage on our farm, and played the accordion for dances in his youth. I inherited his beautiful push button accordions, but not his talent for playing them.

How his music made me dance! Especially my favorite tune. Sadly I never learned the name. It took me years of searching, but I finally found a recording on Itunes.

Here it is, along with more cheerful Norwegian dance tunes that remind me of Uncle Andrew.
For more Norwegian music presenting a mix of traditional and contemporary influences, see my earlier post: The Many Sounds of Norway.


For movies featuring Norwegian bachelors, scroll down!


Akkurat Den Same, Reinlendar
Embrik Bergaplass
Youtube







Ormevekkjaren
Tom Willy Rustad
Youtube





Trondhjemmer'n
Jorun Marie Kvernberg & Øyvind Sandum

Youtube of an accordion solo version - live performance
Reminds me so much of my uncle!


Movies
For several weeks now we have been watching Norwegian movies found through Netflix and borrowed from the library.



Our favorite so far is Elling.
Set in Oslo, Elling is overcoming his fears with the help of his new friend Kjell Bjarne.
It's just too funny and sweet. I want to watch it again.
Rated R - for discussions about sex and language





We were totally unprepared for O'Horten.
Until the very end of this movie, we kept asking "Is this movie ever going to make sense? Was there a plot at all?
Then there was the resolution - to a conflict we were not entirely aware existed - in the last few minutes of the film - and we agreed we were glad we had watched this quirky and brilliant film.
Rated PG-13 but there is some brief nudity.





We tried a few movies that took their inspiration from Norwegian Folk Mythology. Of course we watched Trollhunter when it was on Netflix last year and has become something of a cult classic. Of the new releases we tried in this vein, we found Ragnarok very entertaining. A single father/archaeologist takes his kids on a hunt for Viking treasure. Action adventure, beautiful scenery.
PG-13

Scan Fair, Discovering Norwegian Traditions in Oregon

As the name implies, Scan Fair, a  Scandinavian Heritage Foundation event, combines several Scandinavian cultural traditions, and it is a good place to see some fine traditional crafts, sample delicious food, and to meet representatives of the Sons and Daughters of Norway Lodges in the Portland and Salem area.

One of them eagerly told me the secrets to making good lefse.
Another enthusiastically gave me her recipe for authentic Norwegian Poached Cod. I can't wait to try it.

And it does not get much more Norwegian than this. I watched this kind of conversation when I visited distant relatives in Norway decades ago: the brightness of the eyes, the quick and sincere warmth, bonding instantly over a proud heritage.

Yet another booth representative encouraged my husband and I to join them on Monday nights for traditional Norwegian folk dance. My husband is resigned that this "Norway thing" is more than a weekend excursion.

On the right: Hardanger fiddles by Lynn Berg, Oregon.
For more about these, see my earlier post.

There were many booths showcasing Rosemåling, a traditional Norwegian folk art 

similar to tole painting. This display won my heart.

I enjoyed talking to this vendor. I wish I would have purchased one of her kits to 

make traditional Norwegian braided trim.   It looks like so much fun.

Candidates for the 2015  Lucia Crown