Nordic holiday spirit at Yulefest 2008

Posted by Geeky Swedes on November 22nd, 2008

The Nordic Heritage Museum’s annual Christmas festival, Yulefest 2008, was in full swing when we stopped by on Saturday evening.

The event features over a dozen music and dance groups in three locations.

In the auditorium, the Katrilli Finnish Folkdancers dazzled the crowd.

Every nook and cranny of the museum features Nordic arts and crafts.

Many of them for the holidays. There are plenty of great gift ideas and beautiful, traditional Scandinavian decorations.

Of course, there’s plenty of authentic Scandinavian food, too.

And Yulefest wouldn’t be complete without Santa! If you didn’t get a chance to come out today, Yulefest runs Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and children 13 and up, $1 for children ages 6-12. Limited parking is available for a suggested donation of $2.

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David

Grate culture ( it seams you still have one ) watch out for emigration though or you will loose your culture.

Looney

Oh no, you're an ethnic group alright. Just not one with a lot of rhythm .

Nordic Woman

If one were visiting the Chinese New Year's celebrations at the Wing Luke Museum, one might expect to find many, many Asian persons. Ergo, when visiting the Yulefest at the Nordic Heritage Museum, one might expect to find many persons of Scandinavian descent. No big suprise.

Just because OUR ethnic group is Nordic, does not make us any less of an ethnic group.

everyone is wrong

The comments about black crime may have been truthful but they were in bad taste. However, the first comment about "looks very... white" was out of line too. What's wrong with being white? What's wrong with having a successful culture?

Bethany

Anyway...

I go every year, I went as a kid with my Norwegian relatives that were Old Ballard to the core. Now at Yulefest I remember them and their traditions.

Geeky Swedes

We deleted some of the comments above and banned of one of the commenters.

that guy's a total ass

Can we all say in unison.... TROLL.

Okay, on 1...2....3........

TROLL!

(and also a racist loser)

Diana

To all the folks who are in disagreement...let me try to answer some questions and clarify something. First of all, one reason Yulefest is held in November is that there are so many other events held at the Nordic Heritage museum ( Christmas, etc.) and so many other Christmas events that our performs are involved in that Nov. is the only time we can all get together. I am speaking from experience. I dance with Katrilli Finnish Folkdance group , pictured in the blue and white Feresi dresses in the photo above. Next week we are scheduled to perform at World Winterfest at the Seattle Center. So any time after November, we are busy. As far as diversity...Well i feel the need to point out that our whole group is not pictured in the photo above. but if you were to see the whole group..we are very diverse, culturally. My husband, (in Finnish folkdress), is Chinese--not white. One dancer is Italian, ( olive completed--not "white") another is / Greek, raised in Turkey, another has Swedish /Sami heritage ( Sami are indigenous to Norway , Sweden, Finland and Russia...like our indigenous Native Americans...are indigenous to America...) and one woman with very blonde hair is 1/2 Puerto Rican( Amazing) and so forth. An forth. So as far as being "White"...well, it is a Scandinavian festival and therefore it will more than likely draw those of European heritage. But everyone is welcome, and all one has to do is read the list of upcoming events in the newspaper or go onto the Nordic Heritage Museum website and come explore the "other " side of the world. Also, I would encourage those who would like to, come visit our dance group and join if you'd like.
I also want to point out that I recently attended Fiesta Patrias, and the majority of festival goers were Latin American...so logically, this Latin American festival drew more people of those Latin American cultures than "whites". that makes sense. I wonder why people are looking at the color of our skin, When it's the inside that counts. What is in a persons heart, the words they speak and their actions are more important than the color of ones skin. I work mainly with Latin American community members in the city where i Live and have been advocating for familes for 7 years. I have blonde hair and blue eyes...yet my mother, who has indigenous heritage is dark haired and so forth. So to call me "white" is labeling me without regard to my true heritage. I hope this helps. and Please...if you cannot say anything kind, please do not say anything at all! Let's begin to walk in peace together and respect each other as individuals. Thanks for listening.