Searching for Selma

'I see nothing in space as promising as the view from a ferris wheel.' - E.B. White

Today in my Telemark Regional Identity class we had a discussion about identity, specifically Norwegian identity and talked a lot about Norway is coping with keeping its traditions alive, while integrating into modern society. One guy demonstrated this through some Norwegian music, playing for us some groups that keep the old traditions alive and then some that focus on mixing old with new. For the more modern music he played this song (click here!) which is absolutely great, mainly because of the little girl dancing.

After our morning discussion, we took a bus to Seljord (a town about 20 minutes away) to go to Dyrsku’n, the largest agricultural fair of its kind in Norway which has been running since 1866. Think of a state fair in the US and then Norwegianize it and you pretty much have Dyrsku’n. There were goat, cow, and sheep showings, local food, crafts, rides, animals, and music. There were lots of people- old and young- walking around in their bunads, the traditional costume of Norway. All of the local food gave out so many samples and it was so delicious! I bought some pancakes and then a hotdog-like thing, but best of all I had ice-cream made from Telemark cows- so good! 

After getting some food we watched some student musicians perform (video below) and then went and looked at some of the animals. 

We were able to go up in a ferris wheel and saw just how large the fair was, plus we got a really great view of the mountains surrounding the town. 

I did do a little shopping (spent a lot more money than I realized- opps!), and I bought my first real Norwegian sweater. And Mom- you are NOT going to make mittens out of it! It was really different to see because in addition to all of the traditional and typical fair things (sweaters, shirts, trinkets, wood carvings) there were also some really random things people were selling, including toilets and car seats.

Before we hopped on the bus back to Bø, we decided to spend some time searching for Selma. In Seljord, there is a huge lake that is home to a monster, aka Selma. She is often compared to Nelly, the Lock Ness Monster. There is actually a map of all of the different spots around the lake that Selma has been spotted. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to see her.

Well I hope all is well at home for everyone! I have forgotten to ask for addresses. I’ve posted mine, but would love to get some in return. So if you’d like a letter feel free to either leave a comment with it or email me at mhojnacke@wisc.edu. Thanks and much love for you all! Jeg er glad i dere!