Berit and Per Brevig celebrate 50 years
Per and Berit Brevig smile aboard the New York yacht as they set sail on a Hudson River cruise in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. Photo: Donald Mehus
A special wedding anniversary presents the opportunity to honor a couple who has not only been successful in marriage, but also in their careers and service to the Norwegian-American community
By Donald V. Mehus
Norwegian American Weekly
The distinguished Norwegian-American couple, Berit and Per Brevig, both recipients of the prestigious Medal of St. Olav, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in grand gala style. Some sixty guests—family and friends from Norway and America —joined the Brevigs for a festive, evening-long excursion on the Hudson River, with the glittering lights of New York forming the backdrop.
On a balmy autumn night with a full moon shining, the party visited and skaaled, dined and danced as the yacht sailed by the soaring skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan, passed the majestic Statue of Liberty, proceeded to the century-old Brooklyn Bridge.
An accomplished couple
Per was awarded the Medal of St. Olaf some twenty years ago and Berit just recently in 2008, each for their own distinctive contributions on behalf of the renown of Norway and of matters Norwegian in the United States. Some 20 years ago the two together were founders of the Edvard Grieg Society, Inc. of New York.
During the past twenty years Per has been conducting many concerts and some 20 operatic performances in New York, as well as in various parts of America and Europe, including his native home of Norway. One particularly memorable performance of his was leading Mozart’s scintillating comic masterpiece, “Cosi fan tutte.”
While Per was engaged in his multi-faceted career, Berit was similarly active as well in arranging with him the myriad aspects of Grieg Society evenings. They make a great team! Simultanously, for some 25 years Berit served with distinction as a staff member of the Norwegian Consulate General, located in mid-Manhattan, and in the last 20 years served as music consultant of this Norwegian office.
With such a vast program of Norwegian cultural events presented over the years under the auspices of Berit and Per Brevig, it is no wonder that each of these two luminaries were so royally honored by being awarded the prestigious Medal of St. Olav. Our hats go off to both of them.
This article was originally published in the Nov. 13 issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe and for further information, call us toll-free at (800) 305-0217.
