"Lilyhammer" Is Back!

Looking for a show to curl up with and watch this holiday season? Netflix recently released season 3 of the Norwegian hit drama series “Lilyhammer.” The show follows mobster Frank “The Fixer” Tagliano (Steven Van Zandt) as he moves to Lillehammer, Norway, under the Witness Protection Program to start a new life.

The show first premiered in Norway and was introduced to American audiences in February 2012 when it came to Netflix. It paved the way for more Netflix original series, including “House of Cards” and “Orange Is the New Black.” Check out this article from Rolling Stone and the season 3 trailer!

 Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Sons of Norway

Christmas is upon us and I want to take this opportunity to send you a message of good tidings from myself and the entire Sons of Norway Headquarters' staff! 

It is my sincerest hope that you will find yourself surrounded by loved ones and sharing in the spirit of the season.

I also wanted to let you know that in celebration of the holidays the Sons of Norway Headquarters will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th and Thursday, December 25th. We will reopen for business at 8am on Friday, December 26th.

In the meantime, I wish you all the hope, wonder and joy that Christmas can bring!

Stunning Lofoten Wedding

Jakob Granqvist / Nordica Photography

Have you seen the stunning wedding photos featured on The Huffington Post and NRK? It showcases why Norway’s natural beauty makes for a breathtaking backdrop for a wedding. Check out the photos of couple Sirena and Eric’s September wedding in the Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway. Photographs were taken by Nordica Photography. 

Jakob Granqvist / Nordica Photography

J.Crew in Norway

American retailer J.Crew goes on location around the world for its style guides and catalogs. The brand photographed its Holiday 2014 Style Guide in Hardanger, Norway. J.Crew is known for mixing colors, patterns and styles—and this style guide is no exception. It has curated a selection of stylish cold-weather gear including colorful sweaters and outerwear, with touches of sparkle and plaid.

Travel notes about Norway and the Hardanger region are sprinkled throughout:“The region is known for its lush valleys, majestic mountains and one really long fjord (the Norwegian term for a narrow channel of water). The Hardangerfjord, created from melting glaciers over 10,000 years ago, stretches over 100 miles long.” 

Norwegian company Frost Media produced the photo shoot, which took place in August. Check out this behind-the-scenes photo from the shoot.

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Norway's Nobel Past

Every December, all eyes are on Oslo as the Norwegian royal family and Norwegian society gathers for the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony. The tradition dates back to the early 1900s. Did you know that Alfred Nobel was actually from Sweden? In Viking’s December issue, we look into the life of Alfred Nobel and several theories why his will states that the Prize must be awarded in Norway.

Looking for more information? The Norwegian Nobel Institute was founded in 1904 to aid the Nobel Committee in selecting a Laureate. In addition to extensively researching each nominee, the Institute hosts seminars and conferences on peace-related topics throughout the year. The library housed within the institute stocks resources on war and peace throughout history.

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded in Oslo City Hall on
Dec. 10, 2014. Watch the lectures and award ceremony at nobelprize.org. For more information on Nobel’s life, check out this timeline. 

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

NATB 2014: Another Successful Year!

As you probably know, last week was Sons of Norway’s 30th Annual Nordic American Thanksgiving Breakfast. It was a morning filled with fun and fellowship as our MC, Don Shelby and guest speakers  Andrew Zimmern, Kevin Kling, and Reverend Ruth MacKenzie shared inspiring stories about freedom, faith, family & friendship. If that weren't enough, the audience was treated to some amazing musical selections from the Gustavus Adolphus Choir as well.

This year Sons of Norway welcomed an audience of nearly 1,000 people, which is quite a feat considering doors opened at 6:30 am on a Tuesday. But that really stands as a testament to the dedication of all the attendees and the organizations who worked together to make this the best event it could be.

What’s even better news is that the event raised nearly $15,000 for two Minnesota-based charities that support communities in need throughout the state. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our attendees, the Minnesota Military Family Foundation and Second Harvest Heartland can continue in their respective missions by providing assistance to those in need across Minnesota.

With that, Sons of Norway has wrapped up another great Thanksgiving Breakfast and is looking forward to making the 31st annual event even bigger and better than ever! Big thanks to this year’s speakers, all the attendees who woke up early and made this a morning to remember and, of course, to all the individuals and organizations who worked together in making this year’s event such a success!

Sweet Photo Shoot

Looking for a good way to spend quality family time and spread holiday cheer this season? Get together in the kitchen with loved ones and bake! We at Viking magazine were in the holiday spirit earlier this fall as we planned our holiday cookie photo shoot. Check it out on page 20 of the December 2014 issue.

Choosing which cookie recipes to feature was no easy task. We looked to two of our favorite Scandinavian cookbooks, “The Great Holiday Baking Book,” by Beatrice Ojakangas and “Scandinavian Christmas,” by Trine Hahnamann. Read on for a peek behind the scenes of the photo shoot.

What: Viking’s Holiday Cookie Photo Shoot
When: October 8, 2014
Where: Blue Ox Studios, Minneapolis
Photographer: Tom Thulen
Food styling: Betsy Nelson

Schedule: 
8-10:30 a.m. — Bake cookies on site at the studio
10:30-11:30 a.m., — Cut out gingerbread cookies, set up lighting equipment
11:30 a.m-1 p.m. — Place oat and cranberry-orange cookies on set and take photos (seen on pages 22-23)
1-3 p.m. — Frost gingerbread cookies and take photos (seen on page 20)

Before the shoot, we planned the layout.

Cutting out letters using gingerbread dough

Food stylist Betsy Nelson icing the cookies

A view of the opening shot

Cranberry-orange cookies!

The layout coming together on screen

Looking for more cookie recipes? Don't forget to check out Sons of Norway's Recipe Box. 


Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

The Imitation Game

This holiday weekend, a new suspense film hits the big screens in the United States. “The Imitation Game,” comes out on November 28. Did you know that Norwegian director Morten Tyldum worked on the film? You may recognize Tyldum’s name from directing “Headhunters.” He’s now one of Norway’s talented directors that’s making his way into Hollywood.

“The Imitation Game” stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a British genius who helps crack the German Enigma Code that helped Allies win WWII. Keira Knightley plays a gifted cryptanalyst.

Read about the Oscar buzz the film is already garnering from Variety magazine and Aftenposten. Tyldum could be the first Norwegian to win an Oscar for Best Director. Check out the official trailer here:

Repeat Victory for Carlsen

Photo: Vladimir Barsky

Over the weekend, Norwegian chess phenom Magnus Carlsen defended his title as World Chess Champion at the 2014 World Chess Championship in Sochi, Russia. He defeated India’s Viswanathan Anand in the 11th round with a final score of 6.5- 4.5.

Carlsen started playing chess at the age of 5 and quickly turned heads worldwide. He became an International Grandmaster at the age of 13. Check out Viking’s September 2013 issue where we featured Carlsen as one of our “Young Norwegians to Watch.”

Learn more about the championship’s results and press conference videos. Follow Carlsen on Twitter and Facebook. 

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

The Making of a "Charticle"

Have you ever heard of a “charticle?” In the magazine biz, it’s a term we use for an infographic. Essentially it’s a hybrid of a “chart” and “article.” In the November 2014 issue of Viking magazine, we had the opportunity to execute a full-page charticle on Nordic stars as part of our “Cinema Scandinavia” feature. Check it out on page 20.

Charticles can be powerful attention grabbers that communicate information in a visually appealing way. Plus, they are very fun, yet sometimes challenging, to execute! Our “Cinema Scandinavia” feature highlights the crossover between the American and Scandinavian film industries. While researching for the story, I found myself writing down names of Norwegian actors and directors and linking them to actors in Hollywood that they are working with. And the idea for a charticle was born!

To properly executive a charticle, it takes lots of collaboration between an editor and art director. And thankfully, I have a terrific partner in Viking’s art director, Amy Armato. This particular charticle was months in the making. From my first hand-drawn version (see picture below) created in late June to the final days of sending the November issue to the printer in late September, it was a fun and challenging task—lots of drawing, erasing, collaborating, editing, fact checking, designing, more erasing, more designing and more proofreading. Whew!

Here’s a peek at how our “Nordic Stars” charticle from Viking’s November issue was created.

The hand-drawn version: June 20

An initial layout starting to take shape: September 5

Refining, editing, proofreading: September 16

The finished charticle! September 24

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

More With Eugenie Skilnand

In the November 2014 issue of Viking, we feature ballet dancer Eugenie Skilnand. She has been a member of the Norwegian National Ballet since 2000. Here’s more from the interview.

Q: How did you get involved with ballet? 
A: My father’s work moved my family to a very isolated place in Finland when I was around 3 years old, and my mother put me in a ballet class to get me to meet other kids my age. I was so shy, I would refuse to come out from underneath the piano the whole class, but at home I would show my mother everything the other kids did.  Since then I just always had to dance!

Q: What has been your greatest achievement as a dancer? 
A: The call from my first director offering me a contract as an apprentice with the Norwegian National Ballet was a big moment. It was the start of my life as a professional dancer. Other highlights include the first time I saw my name on the cast list in a solo part as Clara in “The Nutcracker,” my first title role as Cinderella and my return to stage after giving birth to my daughter.

Q: What are your future career goals? 
A: I have about six more years dancing with the company before I retire. The shame about being a dancer is that the older I get, the better my self-esteem gets, which makes me a better dancer. However, the extreme physicality a dancer needs, decreases with age. But I continue to work hard, and so far I still feel that my body is strong enough to handle it. I hope for some more soulful moments on stage!

Q: What are some of your hobbies? 
A: I love to relax at home with my husband and baby. Of course now with my 15- month-old daughter, there is less relaxing that I would like at times, but she also gives me a lot of extra energy! The weekends when I am not performing is sacred family time.

Photo: Erik Berg

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Norway: The World's Most Livable Country

Per Eide/visitnorway.com

The Human Development Index by the United Nations Development Programme ranked Norway as the world’s most livable country. The data is based on three dimensions of human progress—having a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable and having a good standard of living. A country’s income is a large factor in the ranking, and Norway has the world’s sixth highest gross national income per capita.

Here’s a look at the top 10 rankings:
1. Norway
2. Australia
3. Switzerland
4. The Netherlands
5. The United States
6. Germany
7. New Zealand
8. Canada
9. Singapore
10. Denmark

For more information, check out this article. 

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Holiday Gift Ideas

‘Tis the season for holiday shopping! In the November 2014 issue of Viking, we rounded up 25 Nordic-inspired gifts for the entire family. Here are a few more of our favorites.

Gather around the table and play Hnefatafl (nef-ah-tah-fel)—a chess-like game that is referred to in old Norse manuscripts.

Norwegian brand SWIMS offers shoes and outerwear for both men and women to keep you dry and fashionable. For the sporty guy on your list, we love the Luca Sneaker. 

Do you love hit television show “Vikings?” Watch for season 3 to premier on The History Channel in 2015. If you've never seen it, catch up with DVDs from season 1 and 2.

The Norwegian National Doll Costume is handmade by Debbie’s Doll Dresses and fits 18’’ or American Girl dolls.

The Pengus Beanie from Scandinavian children’s wear company Mini Rodini keeps little ones cute and cozy.  The brand is a favorite of celebrity kids.

The Iittala Lempi Glasses made from blow glass come in a 2 pack with color choices of blue, grey or purple.

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Modern Manager

In the November 2014 issue of Viking, we highlight savvy Norwegian businesswoman Anita Krohn Traaseth. In September, she started a new role as director for Innovation Norway. The busy business leader, author, blogger, wife and mother of three believes in a contemporary management style. Check it out on page 54, and read more from the interview below.

Q: How did your upbringing prepare you for leadership as an adult? 
A: I was given freedom and trust in my childhood. My parents were more concerned about developing character at an early age and being robust than striving for excellent grades. I was allowed to determine my own interests and was given responsibility at the age of 12 when I earned my first income picking strawberries and working for a local radio station. I was not introduced to the world of intellectuals, nor did I have expectations of how to define success. I have a working class background from the 1970s, where freedom and responsibility were key.

Q: It’s clear that you have a strong sense of style. What importance does self-presentation hold as you prepare for work each day? 
A: Well, for almost 15 years I dressed in a classic, dark corporate outfit with glasses and a ponytail. I was never very interested in defining my own style; I went with practical and standard. I had been trained not to create attention to anything but content (it was strange enough being an outspoken woman in a male-dominated environment). After I turned 40, I decided it was time to explore a more personal style by using colors and letting my hair down (which is blond and long, and that in itself can be a hindrance to being taken seriously in a very conservative business environment). Now, I don’t care too much. I know my track record, and I understand that you will never get everyone to like you. I like to dress classically, comfortably and feminine. I have started to try out new fashion and design—especially from Norwegian designers.

Q: What destination in Norway would you recommend to visitors? 
A: I would recommend all of Norway—from north to south and east to west! We can offer everything from sandy beaches in picturesque surroundings to year-round activities and sports in the mountains and fjords. We’re known for spectacular nature, but our biggest cities can also offer high quality entertainment, design, food and shopping. Small villages throughout our country boast unique, historical attractions and specialties. It all depends on what you, as a tourist, want to see, as we still have a variety of undiscovered destinations and experiences to offer.

Check out Anita Krohn Trasseth’s blog and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Harry Hole's Oslo

Jo Nesbø ©Niklas R. Lello

Looking for a new way to explore Oslo? Fans of Norway’s best-selling crime writer Jo Nesbø can take a guided tour of the city and follow in the footsteps of the author’s main protagonist Harry Hole. Tour guides will lead you through the streets of Oslo to places that Hole frequents.

The tour starts at the Best Western Karl Johan Hotell near Stortinget and continues on to locations such as Egertorget Square, Oslo Courthouse, St. Olavs Church, several restaurants and pubs and Royal Palace Park. Tours are available in both Norwegian and English.

For more on Jo Nesbø, check out our interview with him in the March 2013 issue of Viking and keep updated on his upcoming releases on his official website. 

Check out this video where the author talks about his protagonist Harry Hole.

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Norway's Historic Hotels

Looking for a great hotel in Norway? Have a charming stay at one of the country’s wonderful historic hotels. With a storied past, many have been owned by the same family for generations and have attracted famous guests throughout the years. In the October 2014 issue of Viking, we feature five historic hotels. Read on for more hotel ideas, compiled by Viking writer Kara Eliason.

Anker Brygge 
Location: Northern Norway
Stay here to enjoy the Lofoten Islands, local fishing villages, the midnight sun and the northern lights.

Dalen Hotel 
Location: Southern Norway
If you’re looking for a bit of whimsy during your stay, this “fairytale hotel” features dragon heads, turrets and spires, and balconies.

Røisheim Hotell 
Location: Eastern Norway
This is a great destination for travelers who want to explore Jotunheimen, Norway's most popular national park. It’s a favorite hotel among mountain tourists.

Kronen Gaard Hotell 
Location: Western Norway
Built in 1898, the hotel’s Swiss chalet-style main house was a summer home for timber dealer Gabriel Block Watne. The hotel is known for its locally sourced food and scenic gardens.

Vertshuset Røros 
Location: Central Norway
This hotel is a great place to stay while visiting the Røros World Heritage site. The hotel kitchen uses quality, local ingredients when preparing meals for guests.

Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri 
Location: Fjord Norway
Located on an island in the Austevoll municipality, Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri has accommodated visitors for more than 300 years.

Lysebu 
Location: Oslo
This hotel is located near the top of Holmenkollen, Norway's most visited tourist attraction and one of the world's most famous sporting arenas. It also features great cuisine and a well-stocked wine cellar.

Augustin Hotel 
Location: Bergen
It’s Bergen’s oldest family run hotel, and it features an impressive collection of contemporary Norwegian art.

Britannia Hotel 
Location: Trondheim
This is a great hotel for visitors who want to shop and sightsee. Opened in 1897, Britannia Hotel is called the “white swan” or the “pearl” of Trondheim.

Looking for more recommendations? De Historiske is a membership organization that includes 50 of Norway’s most charming hotels, plus 19 restaurants and two ships.

Congressman Erik Paulsen Visits Sons of Norway

Sons of Norway welcomed Congressman Erik Paulsen from Minnesota’s Third Congressional District to its headquarters in Minneapolis Tuesday, October 14. Intended to familiarize Representative Paulsen with the Sons of Norway’s story dating back nearly 120 years, the meeting focused on the ways in which the organization and its approximately 60,000 members across the US, Canada and Norway are making a difference in their communities.

Sons of Norway’s  CEO Eivind Heiberg, Fraternal Director Linda Pederson and Cultural Coordinator Anna Stoltenberg sat down with the Congressman in the Sons of Norway Board Room. As the Congressman admired the pictures of the 33 past Sons of Norway International Presidents, Heiberg outlined how the Fraternal Life Insurance Company provides financial protection, Norwegian cultural awareness, and charitable support through its Foundation.

Sons of Norway is a 501 (c)(8) tax exemption status, granted to fraternal benefit societies in the 20th century, which means that proceeds from the sale of financial products are used to support the organization’s fraternal and Foundation endeavors. With this in mind, Sons of Norway shared with the Congressman how the tax exempt status allows Sons of Norway to enhance the lives of its members and make a difference in their communities.  

Started by 18 Norwegian immigrants who wanted to protect one another in times of great hardship, Sons of Norway’s membership grew and so did the effort to uphold the Norwegian traditions in America. Today Sons of Norway is a thriving philanthropic organization supported by nearly 17,000 insurance certificates currently in force. The creation of the Sons of Norway Foundation (501(c)(3)) in 1966 meant that scholarships for educational exchange, grants for community cultural programming and humanitarian aid in times of great need could be offered in addition to the financial security and fraternalism already being provided to members.

Pederson emphasized the value of fraternal benefit societies by citing a recent study done by Phillip Swagel, a professor at the University of Maryland, which states that for every $1 the federal government invests, fraternal benefit societies produce $76 in value back to society. In 2013 alone, Sons of Norway members organized nearly 20,000 civic events, volunteered almost 400,000 hours and donated over $1,000,000 to their communities. Congressman Paulsen was captivated by stories of lodge events and fundraisers put on by members including a fundraising gala hosted by Vennekretsen Lodge in Anoka, MN, that raised over $65,000 for Hope 4 Youth, a local nonprofit that provides services for homeless youth.

Congressman Paulsen also spoke highly of the Nordic American Thanksgiving Breakfast, founded by Sons of Norway in 1985, which he has previously attended. Bringing together people of Nordic heritage to offer thanks for the privileges of freedom, faith, family and friends, the event gives guests an opportunity to give back to the community by supporting two local non-profits -  the Second Harvest Heartland and Minnesota Military Family Foundation.

Sons of Norway is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of its members, the communities it serves and the world in which we live. Congressman Paulsen posed with Heiberg and even agreed to take a selfie with Stoltenberg in order to post to NorwayConnects, Sons of Norway’s new website geared at bridging the gap between Norway and North America by connecting young adults with college, career, financial and cultural resources.

Photographer Captures Norway’s Beauty in Stunning Video

Norway is known for its diverse and dramatic landscape. Home to natural wonders like the fjords, midnight sun and the northern lights and boasting one of the longest and most rugged coastlines in the world, the natural beauty of Norway is nothing short of spectacular.

Inspired by the drama of his home country’s varied landscape, photographer Morten Rustad set out on a five month journey to chronicle all 19 of Norway’s counties, capturing “everything from the deep fjords in the Southwest, to the moon landscape in the North, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and settlements and cities around the country, both in summer and wintertime.” The result of his 10,000-mile trek is a remarkable time-lapse video comprised of tens of thousands of images that showcase Norway in a truly vibrant display. 

Released in late September by Rustad Media, the video already has over 869,000 views on Vimeo and over 410,000 on YouTube.



Interested in seeing more of Rustad Media’s work? Visit http://vimeo.com/rustadmedia to see some of their other time-lapse videos. You can also get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the journey and its filming locations by checking out the news section of http://www.rustadmedia.com

Sondre Lerche on Tour

Photo: Eric Ray Davidson

Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche is making his way through the United States this fall with songs from his new album, “Please.” After finishing the American leg of the tour, Lerche will head to Europe at the end of October, stopping in Bergen on Nov. 8 and Oslo on Nov. 15, before landing in Asia. Here’s where he’ll be singing this month in the United States:



Oct. 8 Troubadour (with TEEN), Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 9 The Independent (with TEEN), San Francisco, CA
Oct. 11 Doug Fir (with TEEN), Portland, OR
Oct. 12 Nectar Lounge (with TEEN), Seattle, WA
Oct. 15 Bluebird Theatre (with TEEN), Denver, CO
Oct. 16 Vega (with TEEN), Lincoln, NE
Oct. 17 Turf Club (with TEEN), St. Paul, MN
Oct. 18 Lincoln Hall (with TEEN), Chicago, IL
Oct. 19 Magic Stick (with TEEN), Detroit, MI
Oct. 20 Altar Bar (with TEEN), Pittsburgh, PA

Check out some of Lerche's videos online, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Sons of Norway and Telemark County Announce Signing of Memorandum of Understanding

Sons of Norway (SON), a Minneapolis-based Fraternal Life Insurance company and the Telemark County Council (Telemark) announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will result in closer collaboration for the strengthening of ties between North America and Norway.

The Memorandum, signed by Telemark Mayor, Terje Riis Johansen and SON CEO, Eivind Heiberg, outlines the areas of focus for ongoing cooperation, collaboration and alignment between the two groups. Specifically, SON and the Telemark agree to strive for complementarity and compatibility in the ongoing development of business opportunities, tourism, and cultural and educational exchange.

Commenting on the MoU, Sons of Norway CEO, Eivind Heiberg stated, “This is a first step towards what I believe will be a long and mutually beneficial relationship. By working closely with Telemark, and its executive board, this partnership will not only strengthen our respective organizations, but it will also reinforce the long-standing bond that exists between Norway and North America, with the result being increased opportunities for professionals, students and individuals to experience the culture of our respective nations

 “Sons of Norway is one of the most important organizations who connects the heritage of the United States and Norway. They can make a big difference in what we are working to achieve. ” says Johansen.

Looking forward SON and Telemark will continue to meet and discuss strategies for achieving the objectives outlined in the MoU and work together to plan the next steps in the evolution of this new partnership.

Actor Tobias Santelmann

In the October 2014 issue of Viking, we had the pleasure of including Norwegian actor Tobias Santelmann. He hails from Lindesnes, Norway, and graduated from The Oslo National Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2006. You may recognize him from the Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated hit Norwegian film “Kon-Tiki.” Like many Scandinavian actors, he’s making his way into Hollywood circles. This summer, he appeared on American big screens alongside Dwayne Johnson and fellow Norwegian actors Aksel Hennie and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal in “Hercules.” Santelmann is currently filming the movie “Point Break,” set to release next summer, and is a remake from the 1991 version with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. Learn more about Santelmann on page 9 of Viking’s October issue. Here are a few more comments from Santelmann that didn’t make it into the article:

“To act in another language is emancipatory. It helps me in many ways when I am playing a character who is far from me personally.”

“The word ‘career’ is a tricky word for me. I feel and am fortunate to be working. I love my job as an actor.”

Follow Santelmann on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more on Santelmann and other leading actors in Norway, keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming November issue of Viking!

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Andrew Zimmern in Viking

Travel Channel star and James Beard Award winner Andrew Zimmern graces the October 2014 cover of Viking magazine, and we couldn’t be more excited! In addition to hosting his hit television shows, including “Bizarre Foods,” Zimmern is a chef and food writer. Born in New York, Zimmern lives in Minnesota with his wife and son. In the article, he talks about Nordic food, life and values. Here are a few more comments from Zimmern that didn’t make it into the article:

“Here’s what I adore about Nordic and Scandinavian culture: They embrace everything that’s around them. They accept what they have. And we do that here [in Minnesota] to a large extent; people who move away from here are people who don’t figure out how to deal with winter. I like to ski and snowboard, but it’s not like I go out every day with the cross-country skis. But we love our outdoor activities, including sledding, ice fishing and ice-skating. I hunt in the winter, and we snowmobile. We’ve turned wintertime into a really cool exploration that we’re not afraid of. We’ve got our son Noah going to different state parks every weekend in the winter, and we’re talking about tromping in the woods through four-foot snowdrifts. We have so much fun doing that, coming home all wet and cold, having hot chocolate to warm up and then snuggling and watching a movie. In Scandinavia, the acceptance that you work with the cards that you’ve been dealt is a big part of their cultural way of viewing life. Spending time in Iceland in small little towns where nine months of the year you can’t even go outside: bleak, wind-swept sorts of places where they’re eating dried fish, always having a piece of harfiskar in their pocket so they can put dried fish in their mouth and eating the same four food items all winter long. I mean, it makes you hard in the best sense of the word.”

In July, the Viking team had an exclusive photo shoot with Zimmern at The Bachelor Farmer in Minneapolis, which serves up Nordic-inspired cuisine. We had three hours of Zimmern’s time on set, so things had to move pretty quickly. Here’s a look at how the day went and a few behind-the-scenes shots.

What: Andrew Zimmern photo shoot for the October 2014 issue of Viking magazine
Where: The Bachelor Farmer, Minneapolis
When: July 11, 2014
9-10 a.m., photographer Steve Henke and his team set up the shots
10 a.m., Zimmern arrives on set
10-10:30 a.m., wardrobe and makeup
10:30-11 a.m., shot one, (the cover photo)
11-11:15 a.m., set up for shot 2
11:15-11:40 a.m., shot 2  (seen on page 16)
11:40 a.m., food delivered by The Bachelor Farmer’s Executive Chef Paul Berglund  
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m., shot 3 in the Afghan Room (seen on page 14-15)
12:15-12:45 p.m., shot 4 (seen on page 3)
1 p.m., photo shoot wraps

Zimmern and photographer Steve Henke

Zimmern brought a whole bag of pocket squares to the set!

Planning the cover shot on set.

Half-way through the shoot.

The Bachelor Farmer Executive Chef Paul Berglund puts the finishing touches on the dishes.

The amazing Afghan Room at The Bachelor Farmer.

If you’re in the Minnesota area, see Andrew Zimmern speak at the Nordic American Thanksgiving Breakfast in Bloomington, Minn., on Nov. 25. For details, go to sonsofnorway.com.

Keep up with all of Zimmern’s globe-trotting adventures on his website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest accounts.

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Knitting Conference in Seattle

Attention knitters! The Nordic Heritage Museum’s Knitting Conference is just around the corner, taking place from Oct. 3-5, 2014. If you’ve wanted to brush up on your knitting skills, it’s time to register! The conference features internationally known knitters, textile artists and will be headlined by popular Norwegian knitwear design stars Arne & Carlos. 

You probably have seen Arne & Carlos’ book “55 Christmas Balls to Knit.” Their newest book, “Knitted Dolls” is filled with fun, whimsical knitted designs.

Learn a little more about Arne and Carlos in this video:

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Nordic Food Festivals

This month, two Nordic Food Festivals are taking place on the East Coast. The NORTH Nordic Food Festival is one of the world’s largest Nordic food festivals outside of Scandinavia. It takes place in New York City from Sept. 13-20, 2014. Nordic chefs, such as Morten Sohlberg, Marcus Jernmark, Frida Ronge and Sasu Laukkonen, will host dinners and teach cooking classes.

The Smörgåsbord Nordic Food Festival happens on Sept. 20, 2014, and is put on by the Scandinavian Cultural Center in Newton, Mass. Local chefs, including Peter Hansen, Mark Hardin and Tim Fahy, will host tasting sessions. Chef and cookbook author Sami Tallberg will discuss his books on foraging and the use of wild herbs. Love salmon? The Norwegian Seafood Council will present a Norwegian salmon cooking duel.

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

New International Board Members Elected

On August 23rd, during Sons of Norway’s 2014 International Convention, held in Jacksonville, FL, delegates elected eight new International Board members! They include:

Jon Tehven—International President
Tehven previously served on the Sons of Norway board as its Secretary and prior to that had a long, successful career in the insurance industry, spending 26 years with Lutheran Mutual Life Insurance Company. During that time, Tehven spent 11 years as an insurance agent followed by 15 years as the company’s Manager of Field Training where he administered and supervised the training of sales managers and agents. In addition, Tehven was a consultant for the Self Management Group of Toronto, ON, where he provided major sales organizations with psychometric assessments for management and sales candidates. Most recently Tehven was awarded the Wartburg Medal by the Board of Regents of Wartburg College for his personal commitment to the College’s mission, quality, and character.

Ron Stubbings—International Vice President
Stubbings previously served on the Sons of Norway board as an International Director and has enjoyed a long career in the grain export industry. He has also spent many years as a leader with groups like the Normanna Foundation, Nordlandslaget Midnattsol and the Norwegian House Society.

Dan Rude—International Secretary
Rude has served previously on the Sons of Norway board as its International President and prior to that had a long, successful career in education, having spent nearly 40 years as a teacher in the Missoula community. During that time, Rude also spent time on the board of directors of various organizations, including the Missoula Education Association, St. Paul Infant Center and Habitat for Humanity.

Ray Knutson—International Treasurer
From 2012-14 Knutson served on the Sons of Norway board as an International Director and prior to that had a long career in the plumbing and inspection industry, having spent many years with Rockford Industries, Mechanical Incorporated and Miller Engineering. He also has spent a number of years serving the community through his work with groups, like the Independent Order of Vikings, Little League Baseball and the Rockford Association of Clubs.

Jon Grinde—International Director (D5)
During his time with Sons of Norway, Grinde has held a number of leadership positions at the District and International board levels. In addition, he has been involved with starting new lodges for Sons of Norway and participating in a number of other fraternal organizations.

Lyle Berge—International Director (D6)
Berge previously served as a Sons of Norway District President and prior to that enjoyed a long career in management and law, having spent many years working in Colorado law offices. He also has spent many years serving the community with the Legal Aide Society of Colorado, the Colorado Springs Cultural Committee.

Gloria Benazic—International Director (D7)
Benazic previously served as a Sons of Norway District President and prior to that had a long career in education, having spent many years as a Financial Aid Coordinator, Student Services Coordinator and Development Officer at the University of Northern British Columbia.

Odd Harald Olsen—International Director (D8)
Olsen previously served as a Sons of Norway District President and prior to that enjoyed a long career in leadership, having spent many years with Hjelmeland Kommune, Ryfylke Miljøverk and Ryfylkekommunane iks.

Please join us in thanking these eight individuals for their steadfast dedication to Sons of Norway and congratulating them on their accomplishments.

Nordic Colleges Stateside

In the September 2014 issue of Viking magazine, we highlight U.S. colleges and universities with strong Nordic ties. In the article, we highlight the University of Washington-Seattle, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UCLA and St. Olaf College. Of course there are many more that we would have loved to include, such as Concordia College, Waldorf College, Luther College and Augsburg College, to name a few.

If you’re looking for more Nordic college or university recommendations, check out Sons of Norway’s NorwayConnects website. It has a lot of great information on study programs in and about the Nordic countries, scholarships information and job opportunities in North America and aboard. Check out their listing of Nordic colleges. 

Another wonderful resource is NORTANA (Norwegian Researchers and Teachers Association of North America). It's a non-profit organization for researchers and teachers involved in Norwegian language, literature and area studies. 

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Educating Norway

As summer transitions to fall, heading back to school is top of mind for many families. The September issue of Viking magazine is all about education. In the issue, we cover topics such as Nordic colleges stateside, tips on hosting an exchange student and a spotlight on global educators and explorers Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft. On page 38, check out our interview with Norway’s Minister of Education and Research Torbjørn Røe Isaksen. Isaksen was appointed to his role in October 2013 and is responsible for implementing government policy from nursery school through higher education in Norway. Here’s one more question and answer that didn’t make it into the article.

Q: How does having a strong primary education affect higher education?
A: Achieving better outcomes in education, health and economic productivity depends on developing a wide range of skills. The ability to acquire and retain knowledge is just one skill. Character, including perseverance, motivation, self-esteem, self-control, conscientiousness and forward-thinking behavior, is another set of skills. According to research done by Nobel laureate James Heckman, the most economically efficient time to develop skills and character is in the very early years, when developmental support is most effective. To quote Heckman: “Early learning begets later learning and early success breeds later success.”

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

International Convention: Immersed In Dedication

Today is going to be a great day! It's the first day of Sons of Norway's 2014 Invernational Lodge Meeting and you can tell from the buzz in the air that the delegates are ready to go.

For those who don't know about Sons of Norway, the International Lodge Meeting is our highest level of governance that brings together insurance-owning members from throughout North America and Norway. During the meeting these delegates hear reports from a variety of sources, internal and external, they discuss matters of importance to the organization and then vote on resolutions and law changes that are brought before them.

On the surface it may sound a little stiff and old fashioned, but I personally find it to be fascinating. I think I'm fortunate to be able to spend two days listening to members voice their opinions and discuss issues that will affect the entirety of Sons of Norway. It's an amazing experience to spend so much time completely immersed in dedication and surrounded by passionate members.

If you ever want to experience the best of Sons of Norway, I wholeheartedly recommend you attend a future district or international convention!

The Art of Salmon Smoking

In the August 2014 issue of Viking, we highlight 4th generation salmon smoker Ole-Martin Hansen. The Norway native uses his great-grandfather’s recipe, which includes beech wood and juniper, and runs acclaimed London smokehouse Hansen & Lydersen.

Check out this video to learn more about his art of salmon smoking.

Anya Britzius is editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Apply and Earn Today!

This month, U.S. Bank, one of the sponsors of this year’s International Convention has a special offer! This is a great opportunity for Sons of Norway members who haven’t yet applied for this wonderful member benefit!

Apply and get approved for the Sons of Norway Visa Signature® Card and earn 2,500 bonus points with your first purchase!* Redeem points for your choice of rewards including travel, merchandise, gift cards, and more!

Apply Today!

*Apply, get approved, make a purchase and receive 2,500 bonus points.  Only new accounts qualify for bonus rewards points.  Account must be open and in good standing to earn and redeem points.  Full terms and conditions are provided to cardmembers. The creditor and issuer of the Sons of Norway Visa Card is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. © 2014 U.S. Bank National Association.