Since its founding in 1874 by Norwegian immigrants, St. Olaf College has maintained strong connections with Norway. So in 2005, when Norway marks the 100-year anniversary of the peaceful dissolution of its union with Sweden, it should come as no surprise that St. Olaf will be a part of that commemoration. With events planned throughout Norway, Sweden and Denmark, as well as in, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and here in the United States, it promises to be one of the most widely commemorated centennials in history.

1905-2005: A Friendship and Its Future

To help commemorate Norway’s Centennial Anniversary in 2005, St. Olaf College and the Norwegian American Historical Association (NAHA) will host a symposium this September that explores the relationship between Norway and the United States. Norwegian and American speakers will engage in dialogue about contemporary society and community, business and industry, and science and technology.

The conference begins with an evening reception at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on Friday, Sept. 23. Keynote speaker Geir Lundestad, director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, opens the conference at St. Olaf on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Throughout the year, St. Olaf is hosting a series of Norwegian events that are open to the public. Check this site throughout the year for updates on concerts, lectures, gatherings and other Norway 2005 festivities on the Hill.

Whether you’re a full-blooded Norwegian-American, or you don’t know a fjord from a fjell, there’s a place in our festivities for you.

Home from Norway!

St. Olaf is commemorating Norway’s Centennial Anniversary on both sides of the Atlantic. In June, 230 musicians, 20 faculty and staff, and nearly 100 travelers in three different Study Travel programs represented the college as they enjoyed Norway's festivities, scenery and people.

The St. Olaf Band made its first international tour to Norway in 1906. In June, for the first time in a century of music making, the St. Olaf Band, St. Olaf Choir and St. Olaf Orchestra toured together throughout Norway, performing as individual groups and in joint concerts.

The three St. Olaf Study Travel programs sponsored by the Center for Lifelong Learning, included seminars on historic and contemporary Norway with leading Norwegian experts. The tours, led and taught by St. Olaf faculty, also featured several performances throughout the country by the St. Olaf Band, St. Olaf Choir and St. Olaf Orchestra.