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I
n the cold, dark winters of old Scandinavia, storytellers were held
in high esteem because of their ability to spin tales of adventure,
romance, and war providing a welcome diversion from everyday tasks.
Eager listeners stared into the flames while images of magical conquests
swept through their minds and inflamed their imaginations.
Over time, electronic entertainments seem to have shuffled storytellers
off to the pages of history books, except for special events such as
Ephraim's Scandinavian Heritage Festival.
Drawing on the old and cherished tradition of storyteller Hans Christian
Andersen, storytelling has expanded to include pioneer stories and other
folktales from various tellers who love the craft.
One of this year’s featured tellers, Rachel Hedman, said, “Most
likely you know about the English tale of Jack and the Beanstalk where
a boy explores and steals from a giant. In Scandinavia, giants abound,
and they are the ones who explore the human dwellings as in the tale,
‘The Giant’s Daughter’ or in ‘The Giant’s
Bride.’ Giants, wizards, trolls, and wild women are common characters
in Scandinavian tales that excite the child to the adult."
Then come the colorful Viking stories of the thunder god Thor or the
trickster god Loki. Yet, Thor and his hammer may not be enough if ever
he faced-off with a girl named Tatterhood who rode upon a goat and carried
a wooden spoon as a weapon.
Hedman said even Harry Potter would find trouble dueling a wizard who
can change into animals in the blink of an eye. With no wizarding-school
like Hogwarts to help him, Hans must teach himself how to do magic in
the adventurous, ‘The Magic Book.’
"Even though I have more Dutch blood than Scandinavian, sharing
these tales is much like telling the stories of some long lost cousins,”
said Hedman.
Local author Shirley Bahlmann will share tales of the pioneer era from
her popular series of “Odds” books, which started with “Against
All Odds” and now includes her sixth volume, “Oddly Enough.”
Bahlmann said the stories she writes come from research of old records.
"When I read through accounts," she said, "it feels like
I’m walking through tall grass, when all of a sudden, a certain
passage jumps out at me like a jackrabbit leaping from the grass. My
heart beats faster as the rabbit scampers through my imagination, leaving
a trail that becomes an entertaining story."
Bahlmann said that while she admires the trials of her forefathers,
she believes that they were very much like us.
"They had bad hair days, misunderstandings and morning breath,"
she said. "They weren’t bronze statues who never complained.
They did the best they could, and so do we.”
Bahlmann said there’s something magical about storytelling.
"The pictures you form in your own mind as you listen to tales
of adventure, romance and war are unmatched by any other media source.
You have a whole world of exciting quests, ready to be tapped, in your
very own mind."
She encourages everyone to "come, listen and set your mind free
on unparalleled adventure."
Storytelling
Festival Schedule |
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Friday
May 25 |
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1:00-1:30
pm |
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Rachel Hedman |
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2:00-3:00
pm |
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Shirley
Bahlmann |
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4:00-4:30
pm |
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Rachel Hedman |
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Saturday
May 26 |
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11:30-12:00
pm |
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Shirley Bahlmann |
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1:30-2:00 pm |
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Rachel Hedman |
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3:15-3:45 pm |
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Rachel Hedman |
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