Text and photo Laila Duran ©

One of the most popular tourist attractions in the western part of Norway is Hardanger, dominated by the Hardangerfjord. The scenery, with farms cultivating fruit, snowy mountain tops and good fishing, has been the motif of many famous paintings from the Romantic era. Hardanger Folkemuseum is the oldest museum in the region, founded in 1911. The open air museum with more than 20 buildings, from the 15th to the 19th century, is situated at the foreland of Utne.

The woman, seated in the living room in one of the 19th century houses, is wearing a Hardanger bunad and the traditional “hardangerskaut”, a head-rail, used by married women.

The mens bunad jacket and waistcoat are made from red woolen cloth with green edging, decorated with plenty of forged silver buttons. Used on special occasions are the silver ring, watch chain, and the colorful silk scarf. The wooden goblet, like the one he is holding, was used all over all over Scandinavia.

Lars Kinsarvik was a very influential wood-carwer and artist in the late 20st century. His work, who came to be known as “the Norwegian style”, was shown in exhibitions all over Norway and Europe. In 1899 he represented Norway at the World Exhibition in Paris.

This is a drinking-vessel carved and painted by Kinsarvik. The museums has several pieces.

The bunad from Hardanger is a living tradition and has evolved from a folk costume. The different regions are indicated in the detailing on the costumes. This bunad has a green silk bodies and a black woolen skirt. The white apron has inlaid embroidery, which is known as Hardanger embroidery.

A dark green waistcoat can also be worn with the red jacket. At the wrists he is wearing embroidered wristlets of coarse woolen cloth with napped edgings. The hat is trimmed with silk ribbon and a silver lace. The collar on his shirt is closed with a silver button with hanging leaves.

The girl´s jacket, in dark blue wool and silk edging, is an original from the museum collection. Her plaited hair and the embroidered belt indicates that she is not married.

For more information please visit:

http://www.hardangerogvossmuseum.no/hardanger-folkemuseum/norsk/aktuelt.aspx

All text and photos are protected by Copyright.

Text and photo Laila Duran ©

As we are getting close to Christmas, I keep looking out the window every morning hoping for a light cover of snow in the fields. In many parts of Scandinavia we still haven´t had any snow and I, like many children I know, am waiting impatiently. Last year in December I was in Norway taking photos and the winter was perfect. Cold, crisp, dry snow, just a few inches, enough to cover the dark fields and put a thick layer of ice on the lake. I do enjoy taking pictures in these white settings. The folk costumes, in their often practical choice of fabric, makes it possible for the models to play in the snow without worrying about ruining the beautiful garments. With all the layers of clothes they are also kept warm and comfortable.

The two young ladies are wearing bunads from Røros. The local costume tradition has been heavily influenced by the Biedermeier and the New Roccoco fashions. The jacket are made from black and dark blue broadcloth and have wide leg of mutton sleeves.

The skirts are made of hand woven checkered wool, pleated at the waist. The colorful silk scarves are worn at festive occasions. The caps are rather distinctive with its shaped sidepieces that cover the ears. Married women wear black headdresses while unmarried wear colored ones.

It was much easier to travel during wintertime than in the summer. The frozen lakes were open and a horse and sleigh was used for transport.

The young couple are wearing bunads from Ytre Nordhordaland. The young lady is dressed in a bunad reconstructed from a folk costume worn in the area between 1870 and 1900. Her headdress is called “kvitlue med vøling”. A “vøling” is a piece of cardboard that is fastened to the head before the cap is put on.

To keep her warm during the cold sledge ride she has brought with her a blanket of sheepskin. It is beautifully decorated with a block printed pattern.

At the end of the 19th century, when long trading trips during the winter was common, the men were dressed in coats of wolf or dog fur. The coats are fastened with wide pattern woven fur band placed around the neck, crossed over the chest, wrapped around the back and tied over the stomach.

During the photo shoots at Beitostølen in Norway we were invited to the farm of Torgeir Svalesen. With the help of the experienced coachmen and riders in his small family business, we where able to take photos of both sleigh rides, riding brides and wedding processions.  For more information please visit.    www.fjellrittet.no

The photo shoot was made in cooperation with Norsk Institutt for Bunad og Folkedrakt.

All text and photos are protected by Copyright.