Scandinavian Heritage Foundation

The Scandinavian Sampler

Friday, February 27 & Saturday, February 28, 2009

~ Explore Scandinavian Languages and Cultures ~

The Scandinavian Sampler is a workshop combining Scandinavian current events, history, literature, art, music and geography with introductions to the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish languages. If you are interested in Scandinavian languages and cultures, this cultural weekend is for you.

In 1993, PSU's School of Extended Studies and the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation put together a proposal to showcase those teaching Scandinavian languages at Portland State University. Britt-Mari Lord wrote a proposal for a language seminar and Inger M. Olsen wrote a proposal for a cultural program. The two proposals were combined and "The Scandinavian Sampler" was born.

The format is a lecture or movie Friday night by a member of the Scandinavian community followed on Saturday with lectures by the teachers and faculty members who teach Scandinavian subjects, including literature classes, at PSU.

This year the Sampler will be held at PSU Cramer Hall with a focus on Iceland, but as usual all Nordic countries will be represented. Speakers will include Richard Ringler, Johanna Fedde and Les Swanson, as well as teachers of Scandinavian Languages at PSU. See more speakers and the full program below.

When: February 27 & 28, 2009

Where: Portland State University, Cramer Hall, Room 171

1721 SW Broadway, Portland

Fees: Friday night free (donations accepted): Saturday $10; students free.

Registration and payment at the door on day of the event.

Parking: Free Friday night in all PSU lots. $5.00 all day Saturday. The streetcar stops at PSU.

Information: Call (503) 725-3522, PSU Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. All lectures are held at Portland State University in Cramer Hall Room 171, 1721 SW Broadway.

2009 Scandinavian Sampler Schedule

Friday, February 27, 19:30

“Jonas Hallgrimson, The National Poet of Iceland.” With Richard Ringler, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus of English and Scandinavian Studies, University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Honorary Consul for Iceland, Madison, Wi

Saturday, February 28

Saturday’s Moderator: Morgan Pope

Associate Dean for Outreach, PSU College Of Engineering and Computer Science, Emeritus

9:45-12:00

Introduction to the Danish and Swedish Languages

PSU Foreign Langs. and Lits. Instructors:

Britt-Mari Lord (Swedish) for Tina Kreft-Tengblad

Inger M. Olsen (Danish)

9:45-10:05

”Archetypal Images in the Kalevala.” With Greg Jacob, Ph.D.

Professor, PSU Department of English

10:10-10:30

“Iceland and Its Arctic Convoys in WW II.” With Les Swanson, M.A.JD, Lawyer

Formerly Visiting Professor University of Oregon Law School, Formerly Professor of Humanities in Conflict Resolution Graduate Program, PSU, Honorary Consul for Iceland, Portland, Or

10:35-10:50

Coffee Break

10:55-11:15

”Iceland: A Volcanic Saga” with Martin Streck

PSU Department of Geology

11:20-11:40

“The Centennial for Geirr Tveitt” with Johanna Fedde, M.A. & M.A.Ed

Retired Norwegian Instructor, PSU

11:45-12:15

Lunch (sack lunch recommended)

12:20-13:10

“Iceland: My Other Homeland and How the Past 50 Years Have Changed It.” With Richard Ringler, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus of English and Scandinavian Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Honorary Consul for Iceland, Madison, Wi

13:15-13:35

“Exploring Swedish Oregon” with Lars Nordström, Ph.D.

Beavercreek, Or

13:40-14:00

”Estrup, Friend of the Danish King, Enemy of the People?” with Inger M. Olsen, M.A.

Adjunct Professor, Danish, PSU Dept. of For. Langs. and Lits.

14:05-14:25

“Small Countries Cannot Afford Big Banks: Lessons from Iceland, 2008.” With John F. Walker, Ph.D.

Professor, PSU Dept. of Economics.

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