Dear members of the Harald Bluetooth Guild

I would like to warmly encourage you to consider the opportunity to participate in this positive invitation from Ambassador Mohamed Karin Fouad Sherif to a Harald Bluetooth meeting at the Egyptian House, Strandøre 8B, 2100 Copenhagen.

The meeting will be held on September 6 at 16.00-18.00.

We have been given the opportunity to offer free bus transportation from Slagelse and back to our first meeting held in Copenhagen.

Please respond by August 28 to
oldermanden@haraldblaatand.dk

Viking greeting

Finn Berggren
Oldermanden

On 21 August 2024, Harald Bluetooth's Guild admitted 7 new members. The inauguration took place in Hedebyhuset.

Photo: From left Alderman Finn Berggren, Guild Board members Anette Borg and Lis Tribler, guest Hans Hermansen, new members Ann-Katrine Karoff, Ole E Hansen, Kimberly Jensen, Christian Bille, guest Martin Jensen, new members Dorte Jensen and Christen Jensen, and Guild Board member Jacob Stryhn.

The Board of Harald Bluetooth Guild regrets to inform you of the following:

As announced, we have planned a celebration of our 10th anniversary in Harald Bluetooth Guild on Sunday 25 August 2024.

Several of the members in Harald Bluetooth Guild have already shown their positive support and announced their participation.

However, as a result of external conditions over which we have no influence, it has proved impossible to carry out the celebration in a dignified way.

It is with great regret that we must therefore inform you that the event cannot be carried out.

Viking greetings from the Board of the Guild

Finn Berggren, Alderman, Jens Grønkjær, Chairman,
Svend Erik Kristensen, Vice Chairman, Lis Tribler, Treasurer,
Jacob Stryhn, boardmember, Anette Borg, boardmember,
Birgitte Dinesen, boardmember and Knud Vincents, boardmember

At the inauguration on July 15, 2024, we met our member, author Susanne Clod Pedersen, who sold her books about the Viking Arnulf from a Viking stand at Trelleborg. There are now 9 books in the collection.

Photo: Susanne Clod Pedersen and our American member Bruce Bro, whose family originates from the area north of Ringkøbing.

Photo: Locke "Nishhwahnaghuu" Wasler and his wife Karin S. Wasler.

On July 15, 2024, we admitted 2 new members, invited by our American member Bruce Bro, American Vice President of The Rebild Society.

Locke "Nishwahnaghuu" Wasler grew up outside of Pittsburgh and has dedicated his life to community and storytelling. Deeply passionate and proud of his Shawnee/Kickapoo heritage, Locke has over 30 years of promotional experience, managing large cultural festivals and events, developing cable network television shows, and building a comprehensive cable TV advertising system. As a founding member of the Pittsburgh American Indian Center, he has also designed script-writing seminars for faith-based audiences. Locke's 20 years in the film industry have given him a deep understanding of filmmaking's creative and production aspects. With a warm, engaging, and collaborative spirit, Locke is a former president of the Danish Brotherhood of America, California-Nevada District, and is now retired, focusing on projects that feed his passions for storytelling and collaboration.

Karin S. Wasler's passion for education and culture began in her teenage years and has only grown stronger over time. Her maternal grandfather, Ben Stehr, immigrated to the USA from Slagelse, Denmark in 1924, instilling a deep appreciation for her Danish heritage. Karin is a founding member and Vice President of the National Foundation for Danish America, focusing on outreach and education. Known for her kind, playful, and loving personality, she is also a current board member for the Rebild National Park Society and president of the Tivoli Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood. In addition to her organizational roles, she has a strong background in teaching German to children and adults, and loves the challenge of learning Danish.

Photo: From the left are Guild Board members Jacob Stryhn and Anette Borg, member Bruce Bro, Locke "Nishwahnaghuu" Wasler, Karin S. Wasler, Alderman Finn Berggren, and visual artist Susanne Thea, also a member.

The spring member inaugurations have taken place in Hedebyhuset, as the Longhouse has had a new roof installed. As seen in the picture, the work on the Longhouse is nearing completion, so that the house can be used for the Viking Festival on 13-21 July 2024. After this, we can again use the Longhouse for our inaugurations.

On Saturday, June 29, 2024, Harald Bluetooth's Guild held a family day in lovely weather at the Viking castle Trelleborg. Several members had chosen to invite the family, so that we were about 40 children and adults for a well-planned program, including an exciting 5-match, led by Trelleborg's Viking Teddy.

Photo: Teddy is instructing the Alderman in archery.

In connection with our Irish exchange program, we were able to admit Liam Nolan, Irish exchange student, on June 27, while visiting Denmark.
Liam was accommodated with a family in Slagelse, in collaboration with Slagelse Antvorskov Rotary Club. At the same time, we admitted Alexander Noort Hansen, who was the Guild's first exchange student to Waterford, Ireland, in 2023.

Photo: From left exchange students Alexander Noort Hansen and Liam Nolan, museum director Anne-Christine Larsen, alderman Finn Berggren, and chairman Jens Grønkjær.

Photo: From the left Benthe Marit Norheim, artist, Norway, Niels Mellergaard, landscape architect, Esben Danielsen, CEO, Claus Ørntoft, sculptor, Karsten Mungo Madsen, movie director, Knud Erik Schack Korsbjerg, rector, Jacob Frederiksen, sales manager and Peter Riis, international consultant.

Photo: From left: Chairman Jens Grønkjær reports, deputy chairman Svend-Erik Kristensen conducts, alderman Finn Berggren welcomes, treasurer Lis Tribler reports.

On Wednesday 15 May 2024, Harald Bluetooth's Guild held a Guild Assembly (annual meeting) at Kragerup Estate. Alderman Finn Berggren welcomed the guests, and chairman Jens Grønkjær gave a report. Treasurer Lis Tribler presented the accounts, and the Alderman told about the plans for the coming year, including upcoming inagurations, family day at Trelleborg, and the 10-year anniversary. All under the leadership of the conductor, Vice Chairman Svend-Erik Kristensen.

After the general meeting, Deputy Director Henriette Dudek spoke about the National Museum's strategy. Emily Ghadimi from the Embassy of Ireland spoke in connection with the Guild's exchange program with Ireland, where students from Ireland visit Denmark, and a Dane visits Ireland.

Last year it was Alexander Noort, and he spoke vividly about his experiences. Finally, the 50 participants had a lovely dinner.

Photo: Henriette Dudek, Nationalmuseet.

Photo: Emily Ghadimi, Embassy of Ireland, with Elderman and exchange student Alexander Noort.

Photos: Alan Thagaard