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“The Lur and Prillar Guri: A Heroine of Old Norway.” (virtual presentation)
April 6 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
FREE
Please Register Here:
The presentation:
Prillar-Guri or Prillarguri is a legendary figure who, according to oral tradition was a woman from Sel, Norway who played a key role in the Battle of Kringen. This battle took place in August of 1612. Sweden and Denmark-Norway were actively engaged in the Kalmar War. Nearly three hundred conscripts from the Gudbrand Valley had been massacred at Nya Lödöse by the Swedes. In July the Mönnichhoven’s march (Mönnichhoven-marsjen) across Norway through Stjørdalen had ravaged the area. Hence a peasant militia force of around 500 decided to ambush the Scottish force (Skottetoget) at Kringen (the narrowest part of the valley). The terrain chosen by the Norwegians made ambush very effective. According to the oral tradition, Prillarguri placed herself on a promontory on the other side of the river to the advancing Scottish troops. Today the height is called Prillarguritoppen (852 m). She either played her horn to distract them and then moved a piece of clothing to signal the ambush; or else she commenced playing as the signal.
The speaker:
Eric Stavney is a journalist, teacher, and promoter of Nordic culture. He lives in Edmond, Washington, just a short drive from Seattle. Eric earned a degree in Norwegian at the University of Washington in 1983. He has co-hosted the Scandinavian Hour Radio Show on station KKNW in Seattle. This program has been a community staple for over 50 years on Saturday mornings. He currently writes for the Norwegian American News.
In 2019, as an empty nester, he started reading Nordic folktales to a global audience who somehow found them engaging, inspirational, and fun. That led to interviews with interesting people with a Nordic connection, forming the basis of his podcast Nordic on Tap, at nordicontap.com. What Eric Stavney is most passionate about is learning new stories and bringing people together to celebrate Nordic culture and the common human experience. Livsreise is excited to present Eric and to learn about this Norwegian folk heroine and the Lur.