#5 The Danish Pioneer’s Highlights of 2013: The Power of Learning – Special Thanks to the Organizers of the Danish Folk School in Minneapolis and the DAHS International Conference in Des Moines, Iowa
By Linda Steffensen, The Danish Pioneer Newspaper’s Editor –
The Danish Pioneer Newspaper staff had the honor of taking part in two extraordinary and inspiring learning forums in 2013 – the Danish Folk School at the Danish American Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota in August and the Danish American Heritage Society’s “Innovation, The Danish Way” International Conference in Des Moines, Iowa in October. If you’ve never attended a Danish Folk School – known for their motto “Education for Life” – or one of the DAHS International Conferences, they are highly recommended and a great opportunity to expand on the power of learning.
Memories from the August Danebo Folk School in Minnesota
The week of the Danish Folk School in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 25 – 31, 2013 turned out to be among the hottest of this summer, but the attendees had a wonderful time, nevertheless. The classes that were offered were interesting, informative and fun, the teachers were excellent, and of course the food was delicious. The students made fast friends.
An example of the Danish papercutting from the class. (Photo courtesy of The Danish Pioneer)
Most of the participants arrived on Sunday, August 25 for the orientation and check-in. A nice welcome American-style buffet supper was served after which everybody had a chance to get acquainted and settled in.
Every day after breakfast there was a morning gathering with singing, announcements and introduction to the day’s activities. Early morning risers joined in walking along the Mississippi River.
The classes started at 9:30 a.m. A papercutting session was led by Cynthia McKeen, a native Iowan, who studied design in the late 1960’s in New York City and in Denmark. She teaches workshops in a variety of paper arts and proongily still produces and sells paper products. “Writing your Family Stories” was another session lead by Pat Samples, who has taught memoir writing for more than 15 years. She is a writing coach and editor for many authors. From instructor Dorte Sondergaard, students learned about Modern Denmark, Janteloven, Religion, the Royal Family and the Welfare State. Dorte moved from Copenhagen when she was 32, and she has been the Danish language teacher at DAC for 15 years.
This hat depicts the Fastelavn’s Celebration in intricate and creative papercutting style. (Photo courtesy of The Danish Pioneer)
Of course there was a coffee break mid morning and lunch at 12 noon.
Afternoons were free, but various tours and entertainment were offered. Monday afternoon most of the participants visited the Russian Museum, which was very interesting. Tuesday afternoon the Danish movie “A Royal Affair” was shown. An all day excursion on Wednesday to Luck, WI was arranged with a visit to the old Danish Church in West Denmark, and the Luck Museum, featuring the first agricultural co-ops in the U.S. and the Yo-Yo factory. Thursday afternoon the group visited Stevens House, which is the oldest house in Minneapolis. In the garden many native herbs are cultivated.
The evenings were given to various entertainments and festivities. Monday evening was an Improv workshop and performance by River’s Edge Playback Theater, Tuesday Sct. Hans was celebrated with a picnic dinner, bonfire in the garden and singing the Midsommer song, etc.
One couple among the participants, Dail & Sallie Hobbs from Missouri, was celebrating their 40th anniversary, so that was incorporated in the festivities, with other participants writing songs and speeches for the celebration on Thursday evening. It was a big surprise for the celebrants, who got a taste of how Danes celebrate important days.
The Danish papercutting class was enjoyed and is highly recommended. (Photo courtesy of The Danish Pioneer)
Friday night was open house where folk schoolers could share their work and experience with invited guests from the community, and the evening ended with music and songs, coffee and refreshments.
It was a wonderful week, relaxing and informative, meeting new friends, eating delicious food, and just having a good time. Hopefully this will be a continuing event that more people can enjoy. The Danebo staff, the instructors and teachers, the group putting the whole thing together did an outstanding job and they deserve to see this develop into an annual event.
PART TWO:
“Innovation, the Danish Way” draws visitors to International Conference in Des Moines, Iowa
Pictured, left to right, Dr. John Mark Nielsen, Executive Director of the Museum of Danish America, Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton & Egon Bodtker, President of the DAHS. (Photo courtesy of The Danish Pioneer Newspaper)
Visitors from around the USA and Denmark were in attendance at the Danish American Heritage Society’s fourth International Conference on October 10 – 12, 2013 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa. The “Innovation, the Danish Way” Conference focused on Danish and Danish American education, advancements and exploration in science, society, culture and the arts.
The conference sponsors included The Danish American Heritage Society, Grand View University, the Museum of Danish America and the Danish American Archive & Library. The Conference Co-Chairs were Lise Kildegaard of Luther College, Decorah, Iowa and Carol Bamford of Grand View University, Des Moines. These conferences are only held approximately every four years.
Soren Hermansen, Director of the Energiakademiet (Energy Academy) on the Danish island of Samsoe, was the engaging and dynamic keynote speaker on Thursday, October 10, while former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Laurie S. Fulton, gave the lively and vibrant final address at the banquet on Saturday evening, October 12. In the days in between, participants could attend a variety of educational sessions, ranging from:
* Innovation in Medicine, Public Health & Patients’ Right
* Innovations in Culture and the Arts
* Innovation in Architecture and Design
* Innovation in Sustainability
* Innovation in Environmental Economics
* Innovation in Danish-American Heritage and History
* Innovation in Children’s Literature and Translation
* Innovation in Climate Science
* Innovation in the Arts
* Innovation in Interfaith Dialogue
Guests also had the opportunity to explore Iowa’s beautiful capital of Des Moines, travel west to the Danish village of Elk Horn, Iowa to tour the Museum of Danish America, the Danish Windmill and enjoy dinner at the Danish Inn and/or walk around the Grand View University campus and enjoy a songfest in Des Moines.
The Danish American Heritage Society Conference 2013 was held in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Danish American Heritage Society was founded in 1977 to encourage research in the life, culture and history of Danish Americans and Danish Canadians and to serve as an agency for the publication of such research. Learn more about the DAHS at www.danishamericanheritagesociety.org
BONUS VIDEO: Visit www.grandview.edu/dahs to enjoy a video clip of Soren Hermansen, who was the keynote speaker at the “Innovation, the Danish Way” conference held in Des Moines in October 2013 and co-sponsored by Grand View University. Hermansen, named by Time Magazine as a Hero to the Environment, spearheaded efforts on Samsoe Island, for his community to become energy independent – creating financial stability in the community in the process.
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