Koselig

December 1, 2017 - April 22, 2018

When days are short and nights grow long, it’s time to celebrate community the Norwegian way—with warm drinks, wool socks, close friends, and an untranslatable word—koselig! To really get a feel for koselig, Vesterheim is hosting a series of free community events, including Koselig Cake Break, Nordic Noir Film Nights, and Board Game Nights.

What is koselig? Cozy is the closest translation, but it’s really much more than that. It’s a very deep feeling of warmth and contentment; a sense of intimacy and comfort. It’s a candlelit dinner party with your close friends and family. A wool sweater, a cup of hot cocoa, and a comfy couch with the latest Nordic crime drama on TV. A fresh batch of warm waffles from scratch with homemade jam after a jaunt through the woods on your cross-country skis.

Visit this exhibit to experience koselig in a series of immersive “living room” environments and learn about this uniquely Scandinavian way of life and how it permeates every part of Norwegian culture.

KOSELIG CAKE BREAKS

Some researchers suggest that empathy is the key to high levels of happiness in the Scandinavian countries. Every Wednesday, 3:30-4:00 p.m., from December 6 through April 22, Vesterheim invites the community to the museum to eat treats and learn more about empathy during Koselig Cake Break.

NORDIC NOIR FILM NIGHTS

Vesterheim and Luther College’s Nordic Studies Program invite you to settle in for some unsettling crime films from Scandinavia during Nordic Noir Film Nights at 7:00 p.m. on January 9, February 13, March 13, and April 10 in the museum’s Main Building. Each film will feature an introduction and discussion led by members of the Nordic Studies Program. Check back for a full list of films.

BOARD GAME NIGHTS

Join Vesterheim, Games XP, and future close friends for Koselig Board Game Nights Board from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on January 23, February 27, and March 27 in the museum’s Main Building. When Norwegians want to get koselig, they play board games with close friends and family. Bring your favorite game to share, and come ready to learn to play new ones with new friends.

The exhibit is sponsored by Kate, Robin, and James Martinson with support from Jerry and Mary Paulson.