JUL TO THE WORLD AT THE AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE

Celebrate and create your own contemporary holiday traditions at ASI

Jul To The World: A Nordic Christmas

Nov. 9, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014

Preview Night (After Hours Glögg Tour): Friday, Nov., 8

MINNEAPOLIS October 10, 2013 Experience the joy and warmth of the holidays at the American Swedish Institute (ASI)s Jul to the World celebration this winter.

From Sat., Nov. 9 through Sun., Jan. 5, 2014, ASI hosts a wide array of holiday exhibits, events and programs perfect for everyone: from musical performances for families, to a romantic date night with a special someone, to unique after hours holiday glögg (mulled wine) tours at the ornately decorated historic Turnblad Mansion or enjoy a hot chocolate and baked goods around an outside bonfire in ASIs Enchanted Forest.

Explore contemporary holiday traditions and farm to table seasonal cuisine throughout the Mansion in the beloved annual holiday rooms of the five Nordic countries (Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Denmark). This year, ASI welcomes a sixth country to the table, Mexicoin celebration of the diverse community of Minneapolis Phillips West neighborhood. Jul to the World also marks the first holiday season that the Turnblad Mansions historic kitchen will be open to the public.

Be the first to experience Jul to the World on Fri., Nov 8. at an exclusive Jul to the World After Hours Glögg Tour (glögg, mulled wine, is a favorite Swedish holiday drink) as ASI curator Curt Pederson provides a behind the scenes look at the holiday rooms and traditions. ASI After Hours: glögg tours tours are offered on Wednesday and Friday evenings throughout November and December.

Families are the cornerstone of the holiday season and as such, Jul to the World opens officially on Sat., Nov 9 with Jul to the World Family Day (10am-5pm) an entire day of musical performances and creative activities that are sure to set the stage for a season of good jul.

And back to delight kids of all ages, and a defining spirit of the holidays at ASI, is the Tomte, the Swedish Christmas elf. Kids will have fun searching for Tomte throughout the Turnblad Mansion through the Great Tomte Hunt and parents can even take one or two home from the ASI Museum Shops Jul Room, ASIs Christmas Shop. Tomte will appear in person at ASI on Sat. and Sun., Dec. 7 and 8, at Julmarknad, ASIs Christmas Market. ASI also offers interactive programs for preschool children and their adults, centered around the Tomte.

Enjoy pop-up theater performances every Wednesday night (6 and 7pm) in The Ballroom at the Historic Turnblad Mansionwith The Dinner Party, an original short play as Nordic legends Swedish painter Carl Larsson, Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman and Icelandic poet Snorri Sturluson come to life for a festive holiday feast and unexpected conversation. Included with Museum admission.

Holiday shoppers will find a smartly curated selection of Nordic gifts and local crafts at ASI this winter. The ASI Museum Shops Jul Room opens early on November 1, offering the best in contemporary Nordic design jewelry, books, housewares, clothing and foods, including bulk Swedish candies (known in Sweden as Saturday candy); and more than 150 varieties of the Christmas Tomte to bring home many handmade in Sweden. Beat the crowds and shop any time at www.shopswedish.com

Save on the plane trip to Stockholm and support local artists by checking out Julmarknad, Dec. 7 (10am-5pm) and Dec. 8 (12-5pm), ASIs annual Christmas Market, inspired by the holiday markets across Europe. More than 15 local artisans will be on hand as guests enjoy festive music and treats by FIKA. $10 adults/$5 students and seniors. Free for ASI members.

Foodies will love learning to make artisanal holiday sausages at FIKA Chefs Holiday Workshop with chefs de cuisine Sam Miller and Dustin Thompson of ASIs award winning café FIKA. After this hands-on class, participants will take home two pounds of sausages perfect to serve at their own holiday meals. Offered Nov., 12 and Dec., 16^th.

One of the Minnesotas most magical holiday celebrations is the ASI Lucia Celebration, rejoicing in the darkness of winter with a Swedish festival of light. ASIs Lucia Choir performs at this holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. at ASI.

For a complete list of Jul to the World holiday activities, to register for each special events or book group tours, call 612-871-4907 or visit www.asimn.org.

The American Swedish Institute (ASI) is a vibrant arts and cultural organization, museum, and historic home located at 2600 Park Avenue near downtown Minneapolis. ASI attracts more than 65,000 people each year for tours of the landmark 1908 Turnblad Mansion, exhibits, classes and events that connect the community to contemporary Nordic culture and cultural heritage. Founded in 1929 by Swedish immigrant newspaper publisher Swan J. Turnblad, ASI serves as a gathering place for people to share stories and experiences around universal themes of tradition, migration, craft and the arts, all informed by enduring ties to Sweden. In 2013, the Wall Street Journal called ASI [a] model of how a small institution can draw visitors through exciting programming.

Museum holiday hours: Tue., Thu., Fri., Sun. 125 p.m., Wed. 128 p.m., and Sat. 10 a.m.5 p.m. Note: during the month of December, the Museum will offer extended hours and open at 10am., Tues.,-Sat. Museum admission (beginning Nov. 1): $9, $7 ages 62+, $5 ages 6-18 and students with ID. For directions or more information, visit www.ASImn.org.

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