Friday  Night Lecture Series

The popular lectures are sponsored by the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation and Portland State University, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. They are at 7:30 in Room 171, Cramer Hall, Portland State University.
Lectures are free, open to the public and refreshments are served in the Finnish Room afterwards.

2012 Lectures:

Carl Thompson: History of Swedish auto engineering, including the many Swedish innovations adopted by the world auto industry, and just how does your Swedish car work?

February 3: Iceland After the Bank Collapse

Icelandic Consul Les Swanson: What happened in the Icelandic bank collapse, what was its impact on Icelanders and throughout the financial world, and where do we go from here? 

March 2: Architecture & Murals in Danish Village Churches

Pastor Jorn Moller: A short history of Danish village churches and their architectural development and art will be illustrated with slides.  How did church murals impact the community, particularly in Tuse Kirke (an hours drive north of Copenhagen).

April 6: Finland: World Leader in Sustainability

Christine Perala Gardiner: Finnish culture is founded on principles of respect for and cooperation with nature and other people.  Consequently, Finnish design and vision have provided innovation toward sustainability in many fields and leadership in a world that works for everyone.

May 4: Sutton Hoo: Questions on an Unmarked Grave

Teresa Taylor: In 1949 a significant Viking ship burial was found at Sutton Hoo in Britain's East Anglia.  This archaeological site raises many questions regarding who is buried here, interpretation of the grave finds and just what was the Norse influence in the 7th century in East Anglia.

All lectures are free and open to the public.

Missed a Lecture?

Not to worry, we have the recording. SHF members can loan the DVD from the SHF office. Please send us an email or call 503-977-0275 to find out more. See a list of our recorded lectures.