Click here to see how we built the Nordic Immersion Village Art Shanty! Lots of pictures and information about who made it, how it was done, and what the process was like!
Feb 13, 2010: Moving Day
With the event over and and four terrific weeks of programming under our belt, it was time to take the shanty off the lake. Jens, Pia, Mark, Magnus, Magda, Steve, Gorm, Bjorn, Hannah, and Magna (with a surprise visit from Per) met at the lake at 2pm. We cleaned out the benches inside, took Geitost Julebukken off his perch on the roof, and dismantled the forest, which was, incidentally, our take on the CLV tradition of naming villages "Lake of the Woods" in their respective languages. We simply chose to put a woods on the lake. We've worked incredibly well together as a team since our application for artist residency was accepted by the Art Shanty Projects in October. Each team member contributed something special and it wouldn't have been the same without their talents and energy. Please take a moment to visit the Thanks to page and reflect on the efforts of these extraordinary people. |
Feb 6 - 7, 2010: Finnish weekend with Salolampi, the Finnish Village
Tervetuloa! Our final weekend on ice featured Finnish culture and language! Susanna, Helvi, Liisa, and Marjatta handed out Finnish names and treated visitors to a game of Mölkky, a Finnish lawn game. Guests also participated in a Finnish trivia scavenger hunt - many were surprised to discover that 76% of Finland is covered by forests and woodland areas. While Susanna gave spontaneous Finnish lessons inside the shanty (one fun word is palapelinpala - can you guess what it means?), Jens participated in bike race on ice, competing against a polar bear. A mystery package full of Asian treats also arrived in the mail for us from an anonymous fan, accompanied by some terrific postcards from friends and visitors. On Sunday, we had our closing ceremony, with diplomas and pins for the many amazing volunteers who helped this project come together. Our diploma ceremony was followed by a mini-dance outside the shanty (several of us dressed up for the occasion!), and our last lowering of the flag for the winter. On a serious note, we were issued a citation from the Tiny Shanty for our over-sized paperclip and instructed to either shrink it down to size, or move it further into the horizon. Click the picture to the left to view this document. |
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Jan 30 - 31, 2010: Danish weekend with Skovsøen, the Danish Language Village
Another gorgeous, if chilly, weekend on Medicine Lake. The rain from last weekend had frozen over, leaving a glistening layer of ice across the shanty town. Our fence had frozen to the ground, but Jens managed to chip away at it and break it loose. On Saturday, Iben, Pipaluk, Magda, Karin, and Fie gave out Danish names and instructed visitors on the art of eating with a knife and fork the proper Danish way. Guests of all different ages enjoyed sykkeltur (bike trip) and folkdancing, as well as a trivia scavenger hunt. Sunday was even busier, with a constant stream of visitors arriving to pick out names and try out the miniature bicycles. Between Iben, Magda, and Jens, visitors got a chance to think about the differences and similarities between Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian. We encouraged them to return to continue the comparison next weekend with Finnish! Again, we had many CLV visitors from all over the place - Lago del Bosco, Lac du Bois, More No Ike, El Lago del Bosque, Lesnoe Ozero and more! Almost 900 visitors over the weekend who came out to adopt a Danish alter-ego. |
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Jan 23 - 24, 2010: Norwegian weekend with Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village
Even though it rained for most of Saturday, familiar faces brightened the day for those of us out there (Jens, Hannah, Magna, Minda, and Lena, as well as credit villagers Katrina and Evy). Former Skogfjorden staff members, former villagers, barnehage families and staff (our Norwegian pre-K program), and a lot of other hard core supporters of Norwegian culture and language programs came out to play with us, knit with us, sing with us, etc. Carol Sersland (of Fjell og Fjord and Det Norske Folkedanslaget) came out for a few hours to teach folkdancing to some enthusiastic beginners. "The Pretzel Dance" was particularly popular! After much giggling and hopping in the slush, we headed over to the Reclamation Dance Shanty and danced to another Skogfjorden favorite: Utadæsjælåplevelse. By Sunday, the rain had puddled quite a bit, melting the snow. A river grew (some of us were humming, "Nidelven Stille og Vakker du er"), and then a lake ("Får jeg ikke mat, så hopper jeg i Mjøsa"). Even though attendance was down, participation was certainly up. About 430 visitors came to choose Norwegian names and identities for themselves. We learned the value of rubber boots (stakkars Asle!) and that we know a lot of people who we can "stole på mmmmm på en regnværsdag, en regnværsdag." |
Jan 16 - 17, 2010: Opening weekend with Sjölunden, the Swedish Language Village
We had gorgeous weather for opening day! Magda, Magnus, Annika, and Ingela were there on Saturday, singing, helping people choose Swedish names for the day, and encouraging them out on a tipspromenad (scavenger hunt)! We had pictures up on the wall from barndalen and Ingela (our pre-K barndalen teacher) sang some songs and made snölykta (snow lanterns) with some enthusiastic kids. Jens and Magna stopped by to hang out and play kubb. About 500 people visited the Nordic Immersion Shanty on opening day alone. Sunday was another great day with Magda, Ingela, Emilia, Sten, Jens, Pia, and Magna. In the evening, the ASI Cloudberries came for a bit of fun and to sing songs in Swedish and English. It was so nice that we couldn't help a burst of spontaneous dancing. Lots of former villagers and staff from all over visiting this weekend (El Lago del Bosque, Waldsee, Lac du Bois, and more). We also had a moose sighting and a fugitive penguin at our shanty. Hard to explain, but you'll understand when you come and visit the Gunderson Residence / Listening Post Seven-Gamma. |