“Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll in Runic Times”

Wednesday, April 15 — reception 5:30 p.m., lecture 6:30 p.m.

It is hard to think of any human activity not revealed in runic inscriptions. The title of Ian Dury’s 1977 song illustrates just some of the aspects we might think are only modern. But people will be people, as will be made clear in this exposé of a few perhaps unexpected phenomena spelled out in runes, some more than 1,500 years old.

$5 per person; includes one drink.

Come early and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres. Cash bar available. Museum admission must be purchased separately.

Registration is recommended. Register online at ASImn.org or call (612) 871-4907.

A L L T H I N G S R U N E S Professor Henrik Williams Lectures: April 15 & May 5, 2015

2600 Park Avenue | Minneapolis, MN | (612) 871-4907 | ASImn.org

Professor Henrik Williams holds the professorship in Scandinavian Languages at Uppsala University. He is primarily a philologist, teaching and doing research in runology, Old Swedish, and Old Icelandic. Professor Williams has authored numerous scholarly papers in both Swedish and English and published a variety of pieces including a book on the language in Viking age Swedish runes stones, an edition of the Old Swedish romance Haerra Ivan and major articles on the conversion of Sweden. Recently, he was awarded the Rudbeck medal for his ground-breaking work in runology.

This program is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the American Swedish Institute, Uppsala University Alumni Association-Minnesota Chapter, American Friends of Uppsala University, and the American Association for Runic Studies.

Runes, Twitter, and the Vikings

Tuesday, May 5 — 9 – 10:15 a.m.

What are runes, these most enigmatic of characters? Even the word rune itself is claimed to mean ‘mystery’. Enter the world of runic inscriptions with its lively Pagans and pious Christians. Learn about law makers, warriors, trade correspondence, death poems, cryptograms, and autocrats. And above all, find out what the Vikings have to say on their mighty rune stones.

$20 ASI members / $25 nonmembers / $5 for Minnesota teachers and administrators currently teaching or working in a school district. Includes museum admission.

Registration is required by April 29. Register online at ASImn.org or call (612) 871-4907.

From Odin to Christ – How Runes Speak of Religion

Tuesday, May 5 — 10:45 a.m. – noon

According to Norse myth, runes were invented by the god Odin, and ancient runestones bear out this notion. The oldest runic inscriptions and some later ones give us a glimpse of Pagans in action. Most Viking Age runestones, however, are clearly Christian and evidence a faith that is more advanced than has previously been understood.

$20 ASI members / $25 nonmembers / $5 for Minnesota teachers and administrators currently teaching or working in a school district. Includes museum admission.

Registration is required by April 29. Register online at ASImn.org or call (612) 871-4907.

Runestones American Style

Tuesday, May 5 — 1:15 – 2:45 p.m.

Runic inscriptions on stone monuments and other objects are often thought to exist only in Europe. Nevertheless, there are runestones also in the United States, in larger numbers than most would dream of. The story of Runic America is both entertaining and important.

$30 ASI members / $35 nonmembers / $10 for Minnesota teachers and administrators currently teaching or working in a school district. Includes museum admission and refreshments.

Registration is required by April 29. Register online at ASImn.org or call (612) 871-4907.

Professor Williams’s classes on May 5 are made possible through the collaborative efforts of the American Swedish Institute, Uppsala University, American Friends of Uppsala University and the American Association for Runic Studies.

3 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) have been approved and will be available for educators attending all three classes on May 5.

The Karlevi Stone is found on

the island of Öland in Sweden.

It is a Viking age rune stone

and is one of the oldest known

Norse poems from around

1000 A.D.

Professor Williams and Dr. Richard Nielsen inspecting the Heavener Rune Stone

in Heavener, Oklahoma.

The Jelling Stone in the Jelling churchyard in Denmark.

Photo: National Museum of Denmark