Nordic Programs by Rose Marie Meuwissen
1. Leif Erickson—Discoverer of America, 1000 A.D.
In 1838 the world found out Leif Erickson was the first discoverer of America due to the Norse Sagas
finally being translated into English. However, it wasn’t until 1964 that the U.S. Congress authorized then
President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim October 9 of each year as Leif Erikson Day. Through the years
many states and countries have built statues to honor this brave Viking. In this program, we will look at
why they were erected, how they came to be, and where they are located, with Minnesota being the
home to two statues.
Leif Erickson in Iceland
2. The Viking Ships of Minnesota
Minnesota proudly boasts that it is the home to two Viking Ships—The Leif Erikson and The Hjemkomst.
The Leif Erickson sailed from Bergen, Norway for Duluth, Minnesota on May 23rd of 1926. The
Hjemkomst sailed from Duluth, Minnesota to Bergen, Norway, on July 19, 1982. Learn about these two
ships and their journey across the North Atlantic.
The Hjemkomst
3. The Stav Churches of Norway
Stave churches were once common in Scandinavia and northern Europe. In Norway alone, it was thought
that about 1000 were built although recent research suggests there may have been closer to 2000. How
many are still standing? Approximately 28. There is some controversy over the number left because
some have burned, been rebuilt or some are replicas. All wooden churches in Norway before the
reformation were constructed with staves (wooden posts or planks), thus the name ‘stave churches’. On
my last trip to Norway in 2017, I was able to visit the Lom Stave Church in Lom and the Garmo Stave
Church in Lillehammer.
Nordic Programs by Rose Marie Meuwissen
Gol Stave Church
4. The Stav Churches outside of Norway
My fascination with these beautiful structures began after I first visited the Chapel in the Hills stave
church in Rapid City, South Dakota, which is an exact replica of the famous Borgund Stavkirke in Laerdal,
Norway, back in the late 60’s. We are lucky to have a few built in the United States, but of course this was
much later. Since there were also many Stave Churches built in other countries around the world, I put
together a program just for those churches. Learn how these stragglers came to be built outside of
Norway. (Moorhead, MN)
5. Real Norwegians Eat Lutefisk
This program is about Lutefisk. How it’s made, served and of course let us not forget the many Lutefisk
dinners. How it has become the butt of many jokes but how it has become a booming retail business.
The Real Norwegians Series of bilingual children's books are about the traditions of Norwegian foods
brought to you in both English and Norwegian. Lutefisk, Rommegrot and Lefse are now available.
Nordic Programs by Rose Marie Meuwissen
Programs: 45 minutes--1 hour Power Point
Fee: $150 + mileage
Contact: rosemeuwissen@gmail.com
Cell: 612-385-8749
www.rosemariemeuwissen.com
Biography
Rose Marie, a first-generation Norwegian American born and raised in Minnesota, always tries to
incorporate her Norwegian heritage into her life and writing. She loves researching anything and
everything that has to do with Norway, Scandinavia and Vikings because you just never know when it can
be used in a story.
The Real Norwegians Series of bilingual children's books are about the traditions of Norwegian foods
brought to you in both English and Norwegian. Lutefisk, Rommegrot and Lefse are now available. Her
new line of Minnesota Lakes Romance Novelettes which are short romance stories set on Minnesota
lakes are now available in both print and E book on Amazon or my website
www.rosemariemeuwissen.com.
After receiving a BA in Marketing from Concordia University, a Masters in Creative Writing from Hamline
University soon followed.
She has traveled around the world, including Scandinavia, but still has many places to see, enjoys
attending Scandinavian events, and is usually busy writing Nordic and Minnesota contemporary
romances and Norwegian Children's books.
