Digital Commons Network^™

Danish Creativity And Resilience In The Face Of Adversity, Delane Ingalls Vanada

The Bridge

Danish people are known for being innovative thinkers. They are independent, willing to take risks, able to stand up for their thoughts and beliefs, daring enough to commit themselves without fear of failure, and deeply trusting of each other. They are hardworking, flexible, and intellectual (Nordic Reach 2008). This is the stuff of creativity and the dispositions that support it, according to current research on the psychology of creativity (Piirto 2001). As the granddaughter of Jens Peder Jensen, a Danish immigrant who homesteaded in South Dakota in 1907, my life was shaped by the influence of our close family in …

Danish Midsummer: My Bodtker Grant From Dahs, Kelsi Vanada

The Bridge

Though many Americans can trace their family history back to their European ancestors, I have met very few people outside of my own family who have maintained relationships with the branches of their families still living in Europe. I have always been proud of the fact that I know many of my family members living in Denmark today. These ties between the Danish and American sides of my family are strengthened every time one of us travels to visit relatives in the other country, so I am extremely grateful that the Danish American Heritage Society (DAHS) awarded me an Edith …

My Danish Heritage And The Privilege Of Serving As U.S. Ambassador To Denmark, Laurie S. Fulton

The Bridge

One of the things I miss most since leaving my post as U.S. ambassador to Denmark is not hearing anyone around me speak Danish or speak English with a Danish accent. It was an adjustment to realize that few people in America know much about Denmark. And so, I truly am delighted to be with you this evening for the Danish American Heritage Society Conference. Tak for invitationen.

The Danish Folk Society, J. S. Faaborg

The Bridge

The “Danish Folk Society” was established in the spring of 1887. On April 18 of that year a public invitation was issued for the establishment of the society, and from April 18 till April 21 this year the society celebrated its 25th anniversary here in Clinton, Iowa. The celebration took place at the location where the idea got its start and where the plans were laid.

Carl Peter Hoiberg, Thorvald Hansen

The Bridge

Elsewhere, I have written that Carl Peter Hoiberg (Hojberg) was one of the most controversial figures in what was the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He was widely respected for his learning and his abilities. He could teach and preach and inspire as few others could. It has been said, "I doubt very much that any single person in our church has inspired so many young people as did Carl Peter Hoiberg."1 He was at once at academician and one who had devotion to and vision for the folk school. He had a lively sense of curiosity, which he …

Danish Folk High Schools - Their Influence In America, Joan Mcinnes

The Bridge

This is a personal story. It is an attempt to trace my philosophy of adult continuing education (ACE) to my roots in Denmark and to uncover the reasons why entering the Adult Education Program at Northern Illinois University (NIU) felt like coming home after many years of trying to find a place in a society that was philosophically out of harmony with my essence. Throughout my degree program, I have noticed that whenever Highlander Folk School was discussed in classes or in the literature, it struck a chord with me. This feeling went unexplored due to time constraints or other …

Johannes Knudsen: The Cultural Context Of His Youth, Aage V. Knudsen

The Bridge

The editor of The Bridge asked me to describe the early life of Johannes Henrik Vilstrup Knudsen: his childhood in Tyler, Minnesota, his youth in Denmark, and his interaction with Danes and Danish Americans. My brother's life spanned from 1902 to 1982, but it was the cultural context of his youth that molded his character. Many years ago, Johannes presented me with a copy of Danish Rebel, his book about Grundtvig. He inscribed it with these words, "Lest we forget." This expressed his love and the obligation he felt for the rich heritage he received. That heritage became his lodestar.

Mary Bardenfleth - "I Remember'', Caroline Olsen

The Bridge

At several of Danebo Home summer festivals little one-act pieces were performed out on the lawn. Yes, there was a time when practically everyone of Danish origin understood and was happy to hear the Danish language. Now it is seldom that anything is done in Danish, although there is still the singing of Danish songs, especially in the Danish Reading Circle. This "Laesekreds" has existed for I don't know how many years. It is perhaps a continuation of St. Peder's Church Young People's Society. This latter group has certainly also been a live circle of men and women who met …

Harald P. Nielsen Saga, Ivan E. Nielsen

The Bridge

When I was asked to do a history on Harald P. Nielsen in observance of the 100th anniversary of his birth, I envisioned a relatively short sketch. It developed into much more than that. In this paper I have documented, quoted and plagiarized. I hope I have conveyed facts as accurately as possible. I am especially grateful to the following for their contributions: Vagn Duus, Inga Kroman-Kelly, Ove Nielsen, Viggo Nielsen, and Emerald Swenson.

Enok Mortensen As Archivist, Thorvald Hansen

The Bridge

One cannot say with any degree of finality why Enok Mortensen became the historian and archivist of the Danish, later the American Evangelical Lutheran Church. This much, however, is obvious--he was interested in it. Only a genuine interest could have caused him to work diligently at it for a long period of time and to write the history of the church with which he had become intimately familiar. The records do not indicate that he received any monetary reward for his efforts, nor that he sought any. He hoped that others would share his interest and do whatever was in …

Questioning Our Danish Heritage: The Evolution Of An Ethnic Identity, Otto N. Larsen

The Bridge

Here we are over one-hundred persons ranging in age from 9 to 90 gathered for the first Pacific Northwest Danish Cultural Conference. Given the title of my remarks, I had better start with a question: why are we here?

The general answer must be that we are here to re-kindle the experience of our heritage, to learn more about it, and to enjoy our common bond. It is often said that whenever Danes get together they have a good time, even if they are melancholy about it.