Norwegian Culture
The annual Syttende Mai Stoughton festival is the best place to experience Norwegian culture in Wisconsin. If you’re a music lover, you’ll enjoy the Edvard Greig Men’s Chorus and the haunting Hardanger fiddle performances. Like art? There’s plenty to see at the art exhibits and to buy at the Arts and Crafts fair. Visitors can even see the artists at work when they demonstrate the rosemaling painting techniques and Hardanger embroidery methods.
The following events are located at different locations throughout the festival!
Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers
Division Street Festival Tent:
Saturday 2:00
High School Gymnasium Performances:
Saturday 3:45
Saturday 5:30 (with Alumni)
Sunday 3:45 (final performance)
Be sure to catch the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers at the Syttende Mai festival! For 70 years, this talented high school group, composed exclusively of Stoughton Area High School students, has delighted audiences with their lively, athletic performances and stunning traditional bunad costumes. Accompanied by skilled musicians playing authentic Norwegian folk music, the dancers bring the rich cultural heritage of Norway to life. Membership is a prestigious honor, with rigorous selection and a significant time commitment. These dedicated students often travel across the country, sharing their vibrant performances with audiences nationwide. Their authentic and energetic shows are a must-see highlight of the three-day festival!
Bunad Style Show
Stoughton’s annual bunad style show is an opportunity to see these beautiful costumes including bunad jewelry called “sølje” up close, and hear about how and when it was designed in each region of Norway. More importantly the story of each model’s bunad is told and why it is so cherished and passed down to future generations.
Saturday 2:30 pm
First Lutheran Church
What is a bunad?
[²bʉːnɑd], plural: bunader/bunadar) is a Norwegian umbrella term encompassing, in its broadest sense, a range of both traditional rural clothes (mostly dating to the 19th and 18th centuries) as well as modern 20th-century folk costumes. They may be elaborate with embroidery or use expensive fabrics such as damask or brocade. In Norway today, bunads are worn by both men and women for special occasions such as confirmations, weddings, and of course on Syttende Mai
Rosemåling Exhibit & Sale
Presented by the Wisconsin State Rosemaling Association
United Methodist Church
525 Lincoln Ave
(lower level/back entrance of church)
Friday · 9am – 4pm
Saturday · 9am — 4pm
Sunday · 9am — 12pm
Rosemåling is the term for the bright, flowing Norwegian folk art painting that decorates many Norwegian wooden objects like furniture, frames and the trim around doors and windows. The artform began in rural Norway in the mid-18th century as an imitation of the intricate wood carvings common to the upper class. Its popularity faded 100 years later, but Norwegian immigrants brought the painting tradition with them to the New World on their colorful, painted trunks and revived the style in the U.S. The exhibit contains items on display and others for sale. Local rosemaling artists will demonstrate their process.
Parking is available in back parking lot and at Yahara School. Festival Shuttle Bus parking is available at the High School.
A Brief History of Rosemåling in Stoughton:
Rosemåling saw a revival in the 1940s as Norwegian Americans embraced the folk art during newfound leisure time. This movement was largely sparked by Per Lysne of Stoughton, whose painted woodenware inspired neighbors like Ethel Kvalheim to pick up the craft. Though self-taught, Kvalheim began selling her work and developed her own style through careful observation.
Stoughton remains a hub for rosemåling, and is home to several Vesterheim Gold Medalists, including Kvalheim, Vi Thode, and Nancy Odalen.
Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit
Chorus Public House
154 W Main St
Friday: 9am - 4pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 9am - noon
The Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit showcases intricate Norwegian textile art. Hardangersøm uses counted threads to create geometric designs with needle and cutwork. Originating in the Middle East, it spread to Scandinavia and became popular in Norway’s Hardanger region, decorating bunads, table linens, and home décor.
The Syttende Mai exhibit features artists taught by Donna M. Olson. While traditional Hardanger embroidery is white-on-white, modern pieces use color. Displayed works include table linens, clothing, doll clothes, and more.
None of the pieces in the Hardanger Exhibit are for sale; artists will offer demonstrations throughout the day.
Norwegian Hertiage Center - Livsreise
The Norwegian Heritage Center, also known as Livsreise- Meaning “Life’s Journey,” in downtown Stoughton with its new Scandinavian inspired building, opened its doors in May of 2015. This idea for this center was conceived of and is sponsored by the Edwin and Janet Bryant Foundation of Stoughton.
©The Kubala Washatko Architects Photo
Hours:
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5:00pm
Sunday 10am - noon
Its purpose is to tell the Norwegian immigration story between 1825-1910. The Norwegian Heritage Center includes the following elements:
Interactive map highlighting Norway’s Districts
Large Gallery area with 19th century immigrant artifacts, many with ties to local families
Interactive electronic story books with personal stories of early local area Norwegian families
A Genealogy lab allowing guests to work on their family history. This is linked to the Norwegian –American Genealogical Center in Madison and gives access to their vast data base. Other links such as the Digital Achieves of Norway and immigrant ship information is available to all guests.
Exhibits are regularly updated with new information, ensuring every visit offers a fresh and exciting experience that will keep you coming back!
Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge
The Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge (317 S. Page St.) is one of 380 lodges across North America and Norway that belong to the Sons of Norway international fraternal benefit society. The society’s mission is to promote Norwegian heritage, culture and traditions and its worldwide membership is over 58,000 people. Anyone who is interested in Norway, its people and its culture is welcome to join the society, attend meetings or participate in its events.
Over 90 years ago, Stoughton’s Mandt Lodge (#314) was established and it is still an active organization today. The lodge hosts many cultural and community events including rosemaling classes, a Spring Fish Boil and bingo nights. Visit the Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge Facebook page for more group and event information.
Hours: Saturday 10am - 4pm | Sunday 11 am - 2pm* (as supplies last)
Ala carte luncheon including Norwegian and American items.
Reservations are not needed. The building is handicapped accessible, with a lift located on the south side of the building. Carry-out containers will be available for the parade on Sunday, if you want to take food home, or eat downtown in the Entertainment Tent (just over the bridge in the back of the lodge)!
Sons of Norway Norwegian Bingo
Join the Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge for a night of bingo, Norwegian style. Food is served at 5 p.m. and again during the bingo break. Players can expect an evening of fun and cash prizes.
Norwegian Church Service
Sunday, 10:30am
The public is invited to attend the Sunday worship service at Christ Lutheran Church. Listen to the sounds of Norway while the celebrant sings part of the traditional Norwegian liturgy. The Edvard Grieg men’s chorus of Madison, will also perform.
The service ends with the singing of one of Norway’s patriotic songs “Ja,Vi Elsker Dette Landet,” or “Yes, we love this land,” also known as “Song for Norway.”
After the service, the church will serve a Norwegian brunch.
There is no admission fee, but goodwill donations are welcome.
Norwegian Music
Nordic Fiddles
Saturday 9:30am
Stoughton Opera House
Celebrate your Norwegian heritage listening to folk tunes played on the Hardanger Fiddle, often called Norway’s National Instrument. Nordic Fiddles is a group of talented local students, taught by Carlyce Skjervem, who enjoy playing this very special music from Norway.
Edvard Grieg Chorus
Saturday 11:30am
Stoughton Opera House
Sunday 10:30am
Christ Lutheran Church, 700 County Road B
For 100 years, Madison’s Edvard Grieg men’s chorus has performed Norwegian, spiritual and secular songs for the public. The choir is named for one of Norway’s most famous concert pianists and composers. Grieg’s Romantic-era music borrowed from Norway’s traditional folk music themes and gave the country a national music identity. Modern listeners know Grieg’s work from television, video games and movie scores. Come and celebrate with them!
Scandinavian-American Old Time Dance Music Ensemble
Saturday 2pm
Stoughton Opera House
Based out of Madison, Wisconsin, this ensemble performs traditional music from Scandinavian immigrants who settled in the Driftless region.
The group that was organized by the Sustaining Scandinavian Folk Arts in the Upper Midwest at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and assembled and lead by Beth Hoven Rotto from Decorah, Iowa as an Artist-in Residence.
When Beth’s residency ended, much of the group decided to continue and have been gathering to learn and practice this music for their own enjoyment.