March 14, 2025

Issue #28

We hope you enjoy this brief look into recent developments in Norway and at the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. If you are not subscribed but would like to be, please add your contact information to our Google Form. We also recommend following our social media accounts (links above).

Cover art: Haakon Lundkvist, VisitNorthwest.no.

This week, Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt accompanied the President of the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) Masud Gharahkhani and his delegation (Ingvild Kjerkol, Nikolai Astrup, Marius Arion Nilsen, Åslaug Sem-Jacobsen) to meetings on the Hill. 

On Wednesday, they met with Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX). On Thursday, they were welcomed by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Angus King (I-ME), and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

 
Throughout their meetings, the delegation highlighted Norway’s contribution to allied security, including the ways Norway is stepping up on defense and increasing its support for Ukraine. In addition to the meetings, the delegation also took a special tour of the impressive Capitol building. Ambassador Huitfeldt shared with the delegation that the Norwegian painter Oscar Wergeland (whose sister Agnes emigrated to Wyoming) was inspired by the painting “Declaration of Independence” in the Capitol’s Rotunda by John Trumbull when he painted "Eidsvold 1814."

The Ambassador used her time on the Hill well and also briefly spoke with Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). 

By chance, the Ambassador also met a young Norwegian-American intern on the Hill, Adam Zenos. She took a photo with him in front of the statue of Norman Borlaug, the Nobel Peace Prize winner from Iowa of Norwegian descent!

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

The Embassy was a little extra cool this week – Arctic Cool! Wednesday marked the 11th time that the Embassy has hosted this annual event. Its main purpose is to bring guests together in appreciation of the Norwegian-American bilateral relationship, as well as to draw attention to the Arctic, which is important to both of our nations.

The event included a live band, fire pits, a photo booth with a fun variety of Norwegian props, and dishes like game stew and king crab gratin. To see some of the evening's dishes being made, check out this video featuring Chef Eilif. Click here to view some photos.

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt recently visited Texas. Her travels took her to Austin and Houston, where a number of Norwegian companies are headquartered in the U.S. Texas is an important state for Norwegian-American cooperation!

While there, the Ambassador met with Governor Greg Abbott, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, and Secretary of State of Texas Jane Nelson. In Houston, she welcomed President of the Norwegian Parliament Masud Gharahkhani, and together, they marked the bicentennial for organized Norwegian emigration at the Seamen’s Church. 

She also met Norwegian participants at SXSW in Austin, including those behind the Norwegian film My Uncle Jens and the NRK show Dates in Real Life.

Beyond the meetings, the trip also provided a wonderful opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of the Lone Star State. We are excited to further strengthen our cooperation. Thank you, Texas, for your warm hospitality! 

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Today, the Holberg Prize – one of the largest international prizes awarded annually to an outstanding researcher in the humanities, social sciences, law, or theology – named Indian scholar Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak as its 2025 Laureate. Spivak is a University Professor in the Humanities at Columbia University who is known for her work as a literary theorist and feminist critic. She will receive the award of NOK 6,000,000 (approx. $540,000) during a June 5 ceremony at the University of Bergen, Norway.

In addition to the Holberg Prize, the winner of the 2025 Nils Klim Prize has also just been announced. It is given annually to a scholar under the age of 40, from or in a Nordic country, for outstanding contributions to research in the humanities, social sciences, law or theology.
This year's Prize for has been awarded to the Finnish jurist Daniela Alaattinoğlu. She is currently Assistant Professor (tenure track) in the Faculty of Law at the University of Turku in Finland.

Photo: Alice Attie (Holberg Prize)

In observance of International Women's Day on March 8, we put together a short video quiz featuring two Norwegian-American women you might not have heard of before. Both were part of the vast group of Norwegians who emigrated to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. We are marking the bicentennial of the beginning of organized Norwegian emigration to the U.S. this year. 

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.