Leaving Boeverdalen, From Closed Doors to Open Doors - Presenter: Arna Rennan

For over three years, Arna Rennan has worked on an exhibit called Seven Summers, based on her experiences while working at the historic hotel Roisheim in Boeverdalen. In addition to her paintings from this area, Arna received a grant from the American Scandinavian Foundation to collect stories and songs as they relate to Immigration, since one half of the population from this small area left for the Midwest. Her presentation for Tuesday’s gathering at Mindekirken sheds light on the factors that compounded the urge to immigrate. These reasons go beyond that of poverty. Arna will share what she’s learned on the subject with her paintings, photos, anecdotes from interviews and local folk songs that are the “voice of the people”.