The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-28
REVIVED THE MORSE TONGUE.
Sons of the NOrthIand Do Honor to
the Memory of Ivar Aascn

the Memory of IVar Aascn.
The "Mindefest," held last evening at
DANA hall by the Norwegian society
Fran" in honor of the late Mr.
wegian grammarian, WAR Aasen, was
attended by several hundred people,
VIII had gathered to by their presence
do homage to the departed compiler of
the Norwegian folk dialects. The prin-
cipal features of the programme were
the memorial address by Prof j. O.
Breda, professor of Scandinavian lit
erature at the state university, and the
production Of Aasen's play "Arvingen."
Prof. Breda's address dealt with the
life of Aasen, and the work accom-
plished for all that is Norwegian
through his efforts. Although the
speaker did not sympathize with him
In his efforts in the direction Of chang
ing the language Of the country, still
he considered the result of the agita-
ton of infinite value to the literature
OF the country. 1t was a great means
or bringing forth what was real Nor
Wegian in the country.
For 400 years Norway had been a
dominion Of Denmark. During these
-FOUR centuries the customs and Ian
guage of the country had been forced
upon the people, and the old Morse.
little by little, died away. When Nor
way finally obtained it's independence
In 1914 the Danish language was en-
tirely in use. The literary productions
of the past 400 years were all written in
the language, and it was the official Ian
guage of the land. Only in the prim-
tive districts of the country were the
old habits retained. The use of the
Danish tongue had the influence of
turning the thoughts of the authors
ana poets to matters outside of the
country and the beauty of Norway's
scenery and folk lore was not appre
Grated. The first attempt that was made
IN TINS direction was by the authors
AsbJornsen and JOrgen Moe, who made
a compilation of the fairy tales of the
country, and which were published
HIS hrSt step was taken in 1912 The
writers of Norway imme diately raoCg-
nlzed the advantages that the super
natural beliefs Of the people would fur
nsh, and all the authors of the country
since that time have more or less been
influenced by them. The study of the
folk music has left it's impression on
the works of Norwegian COMPOSERS and
The artists do not feel that they need
20 go outside to find scenes that will
DO justice to their brushes. But it re-
manned for War Aasen to treat this
subject from a scientific STANDPOINT. lie
made thorough study of the different
dialects, and from them all he brought
forth a language that is typical NLr-
wegian, and which might be said is his
These treasures that he gathered have
been taken up by later day writers. and
the enthusiasm for the perpetuation Of
the language Mr.. Breda considered was
an important factor in the bringing
forth Of the abundance of Norwegian
literature that has been published in re-
cent years.
Mr.. Breda did not believe that
Aa9en's cherished idea would ever ma
terialize, but the agitation was con-
stantly enriching Norwegian literal ure
The speaker spoke of Aasen's life and
habits, his simplicity and the many
characteristics that cling to the name
The festival closed with a rendition
of the play "Ervingen,'' which, in a
way, is a ridicule of the attempts of
the country people to assimilate city
habits and talk The play was edi-
GENTLY produced by members Of
FRAN"
Adjoining the stage was a craycn
painting Of WAR Aasen by Ejnar Ofstie,
Of Brooklyn, N. Y, presented to the
society. 1t is from a pilot ograph of
Aasen taken two years ago. It is said
that at the taking Of this photograph
is the only occasion that Aasen wore
a starched shirt and collar.