May 17, 2010

One Day "Mini-Stevne"

Milan, Minnesota

You are encouraged to join Telelaget members in Milan, Minnesota, for a fun-filled cultural mini-stevne on Saturday, May 15, 2010, to celebrate Syttende Mai [Norwegian Independence Day]. This year’s celebration is known as “A Taste of Syttende Mai 2010”.  It will feature various folk arts, ethnic crafts, and a parade and Norwegian food vendors along Milan’s main street.

     Milan, a small community with rich Norwegian heritage, is sometimes referred to as the “Norwegian Capital, U.S.A.” The town has retained the flavor of a small ethnic community that is proud of its heritage. In 1928 Milan was the site for the annual Telelaget stevne.  The three-day event was attended by 1,500 Telemarkings.

    Milan is located in Kragero Township in eastern Chippewa County approximately 150 miles west of Minneapolis (see map at bottom of this page). The town was an early Telemark settlement founded in 1879. Its first post office was built in 1880. In 1882, Milan’s buildings consisted of two general stores, a warehouse, a blacksmith ship and an implement shop.  On March 15, 1893, Milan was incorporated as a village.  Its population grew to 450 in 1905, peaked at 624 in 1944, and today is 326.

   Mini-stevne events will be held in a variety of facilities. They include: [1] The Kviteseid Lutheran Church, founded in 1872 and named for the Kviteseid Church in Kviteseid, Telemark. [2] The Milan Village Arts School is a non-profit, member-supported organization dedicated to promoting the arts. Each year, the school hosts a diverse range of classes, reflecting the rich arts heritage within the community. and [3] The Arv Hus Museum contains unique exhibits donated to the Museum. Curator Billy Thompson has his artwork on display as well as hand-crafted wood frames.

    The Telelaget Board of Directors selected this site for our mini-stevne because it typifies traditional community Syttende Mai celebrations. Telelaget members in attendance will meet as a group for lunch. However, there will be no formal meeting or registration fees.

The following are some of the day’s events:

9:30 a.m.: Norwegian Church Service in the Kvitseid Lutheran Church

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Smørgåsbord Tea at Kvitseid Lutheran Church (Telelaget members will meet in the church’s upstairs entrance at 11:30 a.m.)

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.:  Arts & Craft, and Food Vendors on Main Street

Milan Village Arts School, with folk art and folk music demonstrations

Arv Hus Museum, Bill Thompson tells his stories

1:00 p.m.: Program with Skål Musik (Scandinavian folk music) on Main Street

1:30 p.m.: Uff-Da Parade, M.C. is John Lauritson from WCCO 

Other area attractions:  [1] Milan’s History on a 44-foot long mural on Main Street; and [2] Tokheim’s Stoneware (potter & knife maker) located 10 miles west of Montevideo & 2 miles north on CO Rd. 31

More about the celebration on the Milan City Website