NORWAY 2024 -- GORDON and CAROL
FEBRUARY 6 - BORDERLANDS MUSEUM (Varanger Museum) in KIRKENES
BÆDI & BØRDI are a cartoon SHEEP and BIRD that appear in promotions for families with children to attend several museums all around Norway. I also saw them in the Family car of the Bergen to Oslo train, in the children's play area. BÆDI & BØRDI link
My souvenir. Oh, it was so difficult to leave the package unopened until we got home!
Souvenir at home, assembled, and hung on the wall. He is designated "Bullwinkle II".
"Bullwinkle I", who is a reindeer, is a souvenir from Honningsvåg.
This interesting museum has six areas of focus --
The Sami people
Industrialization and Unionization of Kirkenes
Destruction of Kirkenes in World War II
Kirkenes as a border crossing point for escape from the Soviet Union
Viking history
Regional Contemporary Art
THE SAMI PEOPLE
WORLD WAR II
Kirkenes was a strategically important town because of the Bering Sea harbor and port, and the iron ore mines. Nearly the entire town was destroyed by the Germans when they seized it, then by the Russians when they expelled the Germans. This combined with the harsh winters made for much misery and death.
Ellisif Wessel was a journalist and photographer who came to live in Kirkenes along with her physician husband Andreas Wessel. She extensively documented Sami life, and the industrialization of Kirkenes. As the iron ore mining operations became increasingly important in Kirkenes, she became involved in union organizing for the miners. Andreas contributed to improving the health of the miners and other area residents.The museum exhibits a collection of Ellisif Wessel's photographs.
EXHIBIT ON MIDDLE EASTERN REFUGEES ESCAPING THE SOVIET UNION
Exhibit featuring Sami artist JOHN ANDREAS SAVIO (1902 – 1938)
