A group of Red Deerians enjoyed live music and took in some Norwegian culture at the Laft Hus Saturday.
The Norwegian Laft Hus Society and Museum hosted the event as part of Alberta Culture Days, which is running throughout the month of September.
“We’re a tourist attraction, because of the sod roof, we’re a museum and we’re a cultural centre,” said Julie Macrae, museum administrator.
“When there’s not COVID, we hold lots of classes on different (elements of) Norwegian culture, like woodcarving, rosemaling painting, language, cooking – you name it.”
Macrae, whose great-grandfather came to Canada from Norway, has been with the society for more than 20 years.
“The reason I originally joined was to learn how to cook. I had a German mother and a Norwegian father. My mother didn’t know how to cook the Norwegian food and I wanted to learn how,” she said.
“My very first day I was making lefse here.”
During Saturday’s event, musician Donna Durand performed outdoors for about a dozen people, in front of the Laft Hus, which has a roof covered in sod and grass.
Macrae said it’s exciting for the society to have an opportunity to share Norwegian culture.
“We were a bit disappointed we couldn’t have a festival this year, but it’s nice to do something for Alberta Culture Days,” she said.
“It’s just a nice, relaxing day. We Norwegians apparently like to just relax, read books and listen to music, so that’s what we’re doing.”
Alberta Culture Days aims to provide an opportunity for people to discover, experience and celebrate arts and culture through local events and activities, in person and online across the province.
More than 500 communities from coast to coast participated in National Culture Days 2020 to increase awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities. Nationally, Culture Days 2021 will be celebrated from Sept. 24 to Oct. 24.
Alberta’s government awarded 122 grants to organizations across the province to host Alberta Culture Days events throughout September.
For more information on Alberta Culture Days, visit www.alberta.ca/alberta-culture-days.aspx.
Send your news tips
Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter
