Our Scandinavian Heritage - Eva Varga
Heritage. What does that word mean to you? Defined, heritage refers to something inherited from the past. The word has several different connotations, including natural, cultural, inheritance, heredity, birthright, and kinship. To us, heritage is our ancestral culture. Our connection to our ancestors and our past. Our family tree. The traditions that are passed down with each generation. The language of our great grandparents and our distant relatives today.
I feel very strongly that a comprehensive world view is important in today’s society. However, I also feel that a connection to our past and an awareness of our own cultural identity is vital. Within this category, I share with you our endeavors to stay connected to our Scandinavian culture. Activities and traditions in which we take part. Service learning and fraternal opportunities within our lodge. I hope that by sharing our approach to cultural heritage, you will be inspired to get involved yourselves.
Cultural Experiences
- 10 Fun Facts About Norway posted at Multicultural Kid Blogs
- Orienteering
- Norwegian Folk Dance
- Lessons in Heritage & Cultural Skills
- Midsommer Barneløpet
- 5 Signs You Might Be Norwegian (Heritage Camp)
- Let the Games Begin: Hnefatafl & Kubb (Norwegian Games)
Art & Handcrafts
- The Finnish Craft of Himmeli
- Getting to Know Edvard Munch
- Bierkebeiners & Luminaries
- The Nisse of Norway
- Discovering Scherenschnitte with Hans
- Gustav Vigeland: Artist & Visionary
- Sculpting with Vigeland
- Norwegian Folkarts: Rosemaling
History & Biographies
Holidays
- Our Norwegian Christmas
- Christmas in the North Woods
- The Nisse of Norway
- Our Scandinavian Holiday Traditions
- Honoring Our Flag
- Syttende Mai – Norwegian Constitution Day
Language Lessons
- Snakker du Norsk? Our Favorite Norwegian Language Resources
- Sommer Kommer
- Learning the Lyrics to Disney’s Let it Go (La den gå)
- Hurra for Deg: The Norwegian Birthday Song
Literature
Recipes
- Aebleskivers
- Fårikål: Norway’s National Dish
- Lefse Day
- We’re Rolling in the Dough! Lefse Dough, That Is and It’s Delicious
- Lefse (recipe) and Lefse (step by step)
- Norwegian Waffles
- Nordic Almond Bars
- Finnish Christmas Stars
- Lingonberry Cardamon Rolls
7 comments
havanawest
October 8, 2014 at 6:38 am
Thank you for sharing the links. My husband is Norwegian as well as German and Italian. We try to keep all our cultures and alive in our household especially considering we grew up without them.
Eva Varga
October 9, 2014 at 5:30 am
You are very welcome. Do you belong to a Sons of Norway lodge? We have found it to be very rewarding and educational. 🙂
Liza
March 13, 2015 at 8:57 am
Can’t waite to look at your links. Your children look Scandinavian like mine. We don’t seem to have many Scandinavians in Southern California.
Eva Varga
March 20, 2015 at 10:10 am
Hi Liza! Thank you so much for visiting! Have you looked into Sons of Norway? We have been members for years and love the social and educational opportunities the lodge provides. There are lodges all over California – perhaps there is one near you. https://members.sofn.com/lodgeDirectory/prepareReview.do
Stephanie ReadsWell
October 11, 2017 at 11:26 am
Heritage is wealth. And preserving heritage is everyone’s responsibility. Thanks for talking a little bit on this point.
Arvid A. Arvila
December 5, 2017 at 10:06 am
Looking for your recipe for Finnish Christmas Stars
Eva Varga
December 7, 2017 at 7:51 am
Hmmm. I haven’t baked these in a while. https://evavarga.net/finnish-christmas-stars/