Telelaget Mini Stevne April 24-26

Telelaget of America Mini Stevne

Thursday — Saturday, April 24 - 26, 2025 Little Crow Resort & Conference Center 15980 MN-23 MN, Spicer, Minnesota

The Telelaget Stevne, “The Patchwork of Our Ancestors’ Lives,” is a vibrant three-day celebration of the heritage, history, and culture of those with roots in Norway’s Telemark region.

This year’s event offers a rich array of activities, including genealogy workshops, cultural presentations, engaging lectures, and entertainment with a Norwegian flair. Highlights such as the Bunad and Sweater Parade, Revy (talent show), and informal gatherings provide ample opportunities to forge meaningful relationships and explore Norwegian traditions.

There are many opportunities for member contributions and participation. Click the links below to find out how your heritage items, photos, apparel, talent and genealogy questions can help add the finishing touches to our Patchwork.

Download Stevne Flyer

7+ Lag Stevne

Norwegian Crossings

July 9-12
Doubletree by Hilton
Austin, MN

On July 4, 1825, 52 Norwegians set sail from Stavanger in Norway on the sloop Restauration. They arrived in New York on October 9. This marked the beginning of organized immigration from Norway to North America. 900,000 Norwegians would follow.
In 2025 Norwegians and Norwegian-Americans are celebrating the Bicentennial of Norwegian Immigration.

Join us for our at the 7+ Lag Stevne to celebrate!

Registration Deadline June 20, 2025

Wednesday: Tours of St. Olaf Church, Bear Creek Norwegian Lutheran Church, Grand Army of the Republic Hall, and Grand Meadow Chert Quarry
Thursday: Classes, Genealogy, and Keynote Address from Dale Goodman
Friday: Classes, Genealogy, and Banquet with Entertainment from the Norwegian Bachelor Farmers
Saturday: Closing session with a presentation from George Olson, Bunad Parade and Entertainment

Download Stevne Flyer

Recent Stevner

2023 Vikings: Empire of the North Fargo, North Dakota

Photo gallery, summary, and Telenews articles

Brochure text Vikings Empire of the North

2024 Ever The Land

Wahpeton, North Dakota

Summary, Photo Gallery

a large group of Telelaget members at the Stevne

A woman in a bunad with a green vest holding the apron to show detail

a woman and a child demonstrating viking weapons

viking ship centerpiece with American, Canadian and Norwegian flags

a woman with glasses in a grean and dark blue Tinn bunad

a woman in a red plaid festdrakt with a solje

Stevner Year By Year

The early stevner (conventions) of the Telelag were truly affairs to remember with many thousands of Telers attending. Specific regional organizations were established under the umbrella of the national Telelag. As the immigrants passed away, interest faded in the organization. In the 1960s and 1970s, only the Northwest Telelag continued to meet. In 1979 a meeting was held in Fargo to reorganize a national Telelag. The focus switched from largely social to educational - focusing on genealogical research - and its ever-growing membership has come together for a stevne every year since 1980.

Below is a year-by-year list of stevner. The list was compiled by Elaine Nordlie from issues of the Telesoga and from the book A Folk Epic: The Bygdelag in America by Dr. Odd Lovoll. Many early Teler gatherings were not reported in the national publication so this list is likely incomplete; however, it does reflect the broad participation of immigrants from Telemark in these community organizations. The first stevne (tour) in Telemark occurred in 1937. Since 1992 these have been scheduled regularly.