Norwegian Laft Hus Society says ‘Tusen takk’ at 35th annual festival

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(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

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“There is a signficant number of people in this area who are of Scandinavian, and specifically Norwegian, heritage, and we have about 150 members. Members are invited to our activities and classes, such as rosemaling and Hardanger embroidery.”

Polutnik stressed that the festival and the Laft Hus, year-round, are for the entire community to enjoy.

“Our mandate is to celebrate and preserve Norwegian culture, but as people come through and say their culture is something different, we’re always there to validate the fact that everyone’s culture contributes to Red Deer’s richness,” she says.

“If someone has been to Norway, we invite people to tell us about their adventure.”

The festival included viking battles, axe-throwing, meatballs, rosemaling and Hardanger stitching, and friends from the Danish Canadian National Museum in Dickson were in attendance.

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

So was a fjord horse (fjordhest), which has shorter legs and is good for climbing hills, as well as goats to chomp on the Laft Hus’s roof.

“That is a tradition in Norway, where in the 1800s and 1900s, there were lots of sod-roof homes. They were very common, and it would be normal to see goats up there grazing. These goats have come to us from the Gull Lake Honey Company,” said Polutnik, adding that the Laft Hus has always had this type of roof.

“This house is a replica of a farm home in the late 1800s, and it’s done with a waterproof layer, then one layer of sod with the grass going down, and another layer of sod with the grass going up.”

Perfect for lunch, if you’re a goat or a gas-powered weed-eater.

“Tusen takk,” or “A thousand thanks,” said Polutnik. “And ha det bra.”

“Have it well.”

The festival runs until 4 p.m. More information about the Laft Hus is at norwegianlafthussociety.ca.