Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, invites everyone to celebrate Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day, on May 16, with activities on campus in Decorah and a live fiddle concert. Admission is free all day, and the museum and store will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Syttende Mai is the day Norway ratified its constitution in 1814 at Eidsvoll and Norwegians celebrate with excited crowds—especially children—marching through the streets, waving flags, and singing songs. This event is made possible by a generous gift to the Vesterheim Annual Fund from Craig Trygstad and Lynne Coleman.
In the Museum Store, there will be a book signing by Amy Shaw from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. At 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., a Guided Heritage Park Tour will be available.
In Vesterheim’s Bethania Church, fiddler Vidar Skrede will play from 12:00-12:30 p.m. Vidar Skrede is a freelance Nordic folk musician, playing fiddle, Hardanger fiddle, and guitar. He is from Norway and currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has a background in the traditional music of Rogaland, his home area in the southwest of Norway, and has a masters degree in Nordic folk music at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, Sweden. He is known for playing in several bands, such as Geitungen, AAMOS, Secret Carpet Club, and Lynx Lynx.
Outside in the museum campus, the Children’s Parade throughout Vesterheim Heritage Park will begin at 1:00 p.m., free ice cream treats from Decorah’s Culvers will be served, and Decorah’s Nordic Dancers will perform after a brief welcome from Vesterheim President/CEO Chris Johnson at 1:45 p.m. Norwegian flags will be given out at the parade, and everyone is invited to march along. The Nordic Dancers began in Decorah in 1966 and include a senior and junior group of dancers. The dancers begin as third graders and make a 10-year commitment to continue through high school.
Celebrate the new forging studio with Vesterheim! There will be a ribbon cutting at 9:00 a.m. at the forge (north side of 418 W. Water St.) and a chance to see the forge. Then join us in Vesterheim Commons for an opening reception.
In case of inclement weather, the parade and Nordic Dancers will be canceled. All other activities will continue as planned.
Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the conversation of the American immigrant journey through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience. Vesterheim offers innovative and interactive exhibits, classes, and programs, both at the dynamic campus and park in scenic Decorah, Iowa, and online at vesterheim.org and Vesterheim social media. For more information on exhibits, classes, programs, tours, membership opportunities, and ways to donate and volunteer, connect at vesterheim.org, (563) 382-9681, and Vesterheim, 502 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379.
