Sponsored by the American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation

- NINTH ANNUAL -
July 16, 17, 18, 2010
Gerry Rodeo Grounds, Gerry NY
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Lectures, Music, and Video

Click here for our 2010 Lecture Schedule

Ben Olander presents Wallenberg

Raoul Wallenberg and his co-workers in the Swedish Legation in Budapest, Hungary fought hard against the evils of the Holocaust during World War II. It is important that Swedish-Americans recognize Wallenberg’s contributions and to use his life experience as an inspiration for each of our own lives. From Wallenberg’s experience we can learn about the issues of victimization and passivity but at the same time, courage. We must be willing to recognize bullying and victimization that still exists and each do our part to stop it in our own corners of the world.
The above message will be shared by Ben Olander from Gothenburg Sweden, through acting, music, pictures and speech. Besides his own financing, Mr. Olander receives significant support by the Association of Holocaust Survivors in Stockholm and the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation in New York City. The honorarium for his travel expense from the Scandinavian Folk Festival will be transferred to a trust that finances trips for teenagers to Auschwitz.
Ben Olander has made the above presentation several times in Sweden as well as the United States. He will share the message about Raoul Wallenberg each of the three days of the Scandinavian Folk Festival.
Recollections Of A Jamestown Swede
Barbara Ann Hillman Jones, now living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has recently written a book entitled
"Recollections of a Jamestown Swede."
Barbara is a third generation Swedish American who grew up in the predominantly Swedish community of Jamestown, New York. In her book she relates many charming recolections that create a portrait of a Swedish-American family and community during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At the Festival, Barbara will share highlights of her book as well as provide the opporunity for the audience to share their family experiences growing up as a Swedish-American.





Torvaldr Torgarson and the Viking Home Companion
The Viking Home Companion is a series of comedic stories, songs, and poems based on Norse culture, mythology, and history, performed by Torvaldr Torgarson. Torvaldr has a unique style of storytelling, part Yoopers, part Garrison Keillor, all his own, and all hilarious! The songs are parodies with easy to learn choruses so you can sing along. Between stories Torvaldr will explain just what in the stories are based on real Norse culture, what has been exaggerated, and what is false but based on common misconceptions and stereotypes.
Learning the Swedish Language
by Allie Withers

Learn the Swedish language of our immigrant ancestors. Allie shares conversational Swedish through phrases, songs and prayers. She includes a display of many items which she received from Swedish relatives. Allie says "Practice and learn – it is always a lot of fun.

19th C. Swedish Immigration to Amerika
(Why they came and what they found)
by Dr. Julie Lindblom Boozer
Why did they come? What did they come to? Explore socio-economic reasons why Scandinavians left their beloved homeland in the 19th Century and immigrated to Amerika, often alone, even as singles in their late teens. What did they find in Swedish communities such as Chandlers Valley and Scandia or in cities such as Jamestown-Falconer, Kane or Warren? Let's share the immigration stories of our ancestors.




Festival Overview Performers Special Events You Are Here Vendors Scandinavian Food
Program Lineup Volunteer! Apps-Info Maps & Area Attractions Photo Album Ticket Info

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