Sons of Norway meeting highlights story of infant Norwegian Prince

Friday, January 13, 2023 4:01 pm

Prince Haakon Haakonsson was a small boy whom half the kingdom was out to kill.

The public is invited to a meeting of the Sons of Norway Valdres Lodge Tuesday, Jan. 17, featuring a 7:30 p.m. presentation “The Saga of the Birkebeiners and Infant Prince Haakon Haakonsson by Darlene Fossum-Martin. 
The presentation will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church located at 701 Iowa Avenue in Decorah with refreshments served. A 7 p.m. lodge meeting will be held before the presentation.
Prince Haakon Haakonsson was a small boy whom half the kingdom was out to kill, but two brave Birkebeiner warriors vowed to protect with their lives. Learn who Birkebeiners were, the role they played in protecting the future king of Norway and in Norway’s Civil War.
Additionally, Fossum-Martin will discuss the Barneløpet (The Children’s Race), which she has coordinated for more than 20 years. The event, an opportunity for children ages 3-13 to experience cross country skiing, is planned for Saturday, Feb. 4.
Fossum-Martin is a third-generation Norwegian, who grew up on a small farm near Spring Grove, Minn. She is a creator of many of the traditional Norwegian folk arts and Instructor in the traditional Norwegian foods and their history.