Sweden’s Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola Choir to Sing at Gustavus

The Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola Choir of Jönköping, Sweden, will present a concert at Gustavus Adolphus College’s Christ Chapel on Monday, April 26, as part of its concert tour of the U.S. This performance is free of charge and begins at 4:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel.

The touring program includes works from the world-famous musical Kristina från Duvemåla written by Bjorn Ulveaus and Benny Anderson. These  selections, plus traditional Swedish songs, will be sung in Swedish by the choir.  The “Kristina” musical tells the story of  Swedish emigrants Karl Oskar Nilsson and his wife Kristina Nilsson and their journey to “Amerika.”  The musical is based on the well-known novel, The Emigrants by author/historian Vilhelm Moberg who spent the summer of 1948 living here in the Chisago Lakes area while doing research for his books.

Södra Vätterbygdens Folkhögskola (SVF) is a private school in Jönköping, Sweden. It is one of 150 schools for adult education known as “folkhögskola”. This is a form of adult education, called “folkbildning”, is typical for Scandinavia. The relationship between Gustavus and SVF has been in place for many years as Gustavus classes and tours often use the campus facilities while in Sweden.

The choir is presently touring the Upper Midwest, starting at North Park University in Chicago, with which SVF has an exchange, and then giving concerts in Rockford, Brooklyn Center,  Chisago City, Bloomington, Bernadotte, Gustavus, and Winnetka.  It’s the second time in the last four years that a SVF choir has toured the Midwest.

SVF was founded in 1919 and moved to its present premises on the western heights of Jönköping in 1930. The campus offers a fantastic view over the city and lake Vättern. Modern structures provide room for 280 students, including dormitories, which can house 130 students. Facilities include a fine library, studios for photography, radio and TV, computer labs, a chapel and a sports center.  The music program at the school attracts students from all over the country.

Monday’s concert begins at 4:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel and is free and open to the public.