Welcome to the 2009 Leiv Eriksson International Festival! 

The Festival is honored to welcome the Stavern Men’s Choir of Stavern, Norway. The choir was established in 1947 and has about 30 members ranging in age from 40 to 82.

It’s a time to explore, discover and celebrate one’s faith as well as celebrate Nordic cultural roots in the United States.

For 22 years, The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church (Mindekirken) in Minneapolis, Minn., in cooperation with members of the Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Icelandic and Swedish communities, has sponsored the Leiv Eriksson International Festival. This year the festival will take place from Sept. 26 – Oct. 18.

Over the years, the event has brought top-ranked Nordic talent to the Festival. This has helped us all explore the values and goals in today’s Nordic countries and share them with other Nordic-Americans. It also gives the Nordic community an opportunity to share its heritage with all citizens.

Through a variety of Scandinavian-inspired worship services, concerts, films and foods, the Festival continues its well-deserved reputation as one of the finest Nordic events in the Upper Midwest.

Worship sermons will be conducted in the homeland language of the pastor, but English translations are available; films are in Danish with English sub-titles.

Unless otherwise indicated, events are held at 924 East 21st  St., Minneapolis, Minn. Most events are free, unless otherwise indicated.

The American Swedish Institute has generously offered a 20 percent discount on museum admission during the Festival. Just mention the Leiv Eriksson International Festival and step into the heart of Swedish America at 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis.

For further information about the many different events, please see: Mindekirken.org

Download the program here: Leiv Eriksson International Festival program (pdf)