Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1950-02-28
Norway
CULTURAL LIFE
Language and Literature

dinavian languages and in a lesser
degree to English, Dutch and Ger
man. There are no illiterates in
Norway. English is taught in
most elementary schools and in all
higher schools, and is generally
understood throughout the coun-
try.
The oldest literary documents in
Norway are the EDDAS = myth
ic poems which were written
down in Iceland, probably in the
18th century, but presumably
composed in Norway in the 9th
century. Of the greatest import
ance for the Norwegian national
feeling are the Sagas, outstand-
ing among them "Heimskringla"
by Snorre Sturlason, which gives
a monumental picture Of Norwe-
gian history from the earliest
times up to the year 1900. Kong
espeilet," (The Kings Mirror is
a unique writing, which gives a
vivid picture of medieval No1We-
gian life.
The best known Norwegian au-
thors in modern times are Henrik
Ibsen, Bjornstjerne Bjornson, knut
Hamsun and Sigrid Undset. Of
these the last three have received
News and weather reports daily at
8, 10, 10 and %.
Foreign broadcasting stations
European long & medium wave
stations and short wave stations
all over the world are almost
without exception received easily
in Norway on good wireless sets
but due to the difference in time
ordinary American programs are
seldom heard.
Music
Norwegian folk music has long
been an important factor in rural
cultural life, and also a source of
inspiration to Norwegian compos-
ers. The instruments chiefly used,
the "Hardingfele,' (Hardanger
violin) and "langleik," Ca string
instrument) are still played in the
more far-off districts. samples
may be heard over the Oslo broad
casting station every Sunday af-
ternoon.)
Ole Bull, the violin virtuoso,
was the first Norwegian composer
to attain international fame, while
Edward Grieg is easily the most
important and best known figure
in Norwegian musical life. Other
noteworthy composers include Jo-
han Halvorsen, Halfdn kjerulf, Jo-
han Svendsen, Christian Sinding,
Rikard Nordraak and Mrs. Ag
athe Backer- Grondahl, while in
modern times Ludwig Irgens Jen-
sen, klaus Egge, Eivind Grover,
Fartein Valen, Arne Eggen and
Harald Saeverud are most prom
inen-. The conductors Olav KEEL
land and Odd Gruner-Hegge have
the Nobel Prize.
During the war lyrical poetry
became a strong expression of the
nations patriotism and yearning
for freedom. Well known poets
from these years are Nordahl
Grieg, who was killed in an air
craft ever Berlin, and Arnulf Ov-
erland, who was in German con-
centration camps for three years.
Broadcasting
All Norwegian broadcasting is
operated by the State company,
''Norsk distinguishing" There
are stations in the long-wave
band, 13 medium-wave and short
wave stations serving a total of
5000 registered listeners, who
each pay an annual fee of kr. 20.
In addition to home consump-
ton" short wave programs are ar
ranged especially for the Antarc-
tic whaling fleet, Norwegian ships
and other Norwegians abroad.
These programs are heard every
night at O1OO-O200 GMT over the
new Fredrikstad short wave sta
ton on 1910 kc fs-3122 m, 11.735
4 kc/s-25.56 m. Is 40 kcIs-19.7s
m and Il s25 kcIs-16s3 m.
/ Norwegian programs are of an
Informative and educational ma
ture rather than purely entertain
7 ing Commercial advertising or