In this illustrated talk, Norwegian photographer Lars Idar Waage presents a long-term documentary project exploring Norwegian-American life in the Midwest—told through images, personal encounters, and reflection.

Lars Idar Waage is a Norwegian photojournalist and storyteller recognized for his decade-long documentary project, “A Dying Norway – in a Living America?” Focusing on the descendants of Norwegian immigrants in central Illinois, his work explores themes of heritage, identity, and rural life

The presentation follows Waage’s own journey, undertaken nearly 200 years after that first organized emigration. Through churches, community halls, family homes, and volunteer-run institutions, he explores what remains of “Norway” in America today—and how that heritage has changed, adapted, and survived. Along the way, he reflects on what these communities reveal about identity, belonging, faith, language, and the enduring bonds between Norway and the United States.

Blending powerful photographs with storytelling and historical context, the talk is both a personal journey and a shared cultural reflection. It asks what is preserved, what is lost, and what continues to live on in Norwegian-American communities generations after the first crossing.

The event at Livsreise offers a rare opportunity to experience this story through the eyes of a photographer who has followed these connections over many years—approaching them with curiosity, respect, and a deep personal engagement.

This event is being held Live in the Livsreise auditorium

(Photos courtesy of Lars Idar Waage)