Pictures of the year 2025—thanks for the memories
- Lori Ann Reinhall
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The past year was filled with events and excitement for the Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association, and fortunately, we had cameras in hand to capture all the magical moments. As we wrap up the year, we'd like to share some of our favorite photos with you, as we cherish the memories.
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We started our year off online with Vågespel, a new podcast and blog about brave Norwegian women who dared to emigrate. It was an exciting opportunity for our journalist president to do some writing and have some fun!
The SBSCA enjoyed collaborating with other Seattle Sister Cities for their first international film festival with the insightful short animation Bear Hug.
It was no less than thrilling to see Seattle adding to the city signpost at the top of Mount Fløyen at the start of One Ocean Week in Bergen.
At the signpost unveiling, there were big hugs to between Bergen Mayor Marit Warnke and SBSCA President Lori Ann Reinhall to celebrate the friendship between our two cities, as Seattle Councilmember Dan Strauss looked on.
A delegation traveled from Seattle to Bergen for One Ocean Week, with representatives from the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle, Washington Maritime Blue, the National Nordic Museum, and the SBSCA.
A highlight of One Ocean Week in Bergen was Crown Prince Haakon's keynote speech in the historic Haakon's Hall.
The 17th of May 2025 was especially memorable for us with our president, Lori Ann Reinhall (left) , serving as honorary marshal and Anniken Huitfeldt (right), Norwegian Ambassador to the United States, serving as grand marshal.
What would the 17th of May—Barnas dag—been without the children of Barneleikarringen performing at Bergen Place? There may have been rain, but there was nonetheless lots of fun!
We were honored that Bruce Harrell, Mayor of Seattle, came to Bergen Place to celebrate the 17th of May with us. Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt hands him the microphone to make his remarks to the community.
Eric Stavney (left) was our emcee for the 17th of May at Bergen Place, and Birgit Ages (right) was there to ensure that the logistics went smoothly.
And then, who doesn't love a parade? Come rain or shine, the Norwegian-American community is there to celebrate of the 17th of May!
A summer highlight for Norwegians everywhere was the sail away of the replica of the sloop Restauration from Stavanger to New York on July 4. SBSCA President Lori Ann Reinhalll and Honorary Counsel Viggo Forde were there join in on the big celebration.
On her summer vacation in Norway, SBSCA President Lori Ann Reinhall made a stop for a bicentennial commemoration.at the Western Norwegian Emigration Center at Sletta on the island of Radøy, not far from Bergen.
It was wonderful to connect with good friends and SBSCA collaborators at Sletta. Here Reidun Horvei gives a lively performance in the spirit of the emigration.
The Crossings Commemoration Dinner & Program at Leif Erikson Hall on Leif Erikson Day, Oct. 9, was golden. None of us will ever forget the how festive atmosphere, the music, the speeches, the good food, and the good company.
A highlight of our Crossings celebration was an extraordinary performance led by Rachel Nesvig (center), with Elise Snoey (left), and Patrick Gunning (right).
SBSCA VP Morten Blomsø (left), was there to greet the evening's guest of honor, Viggo Forde (right), honorary consul for the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
Our partnership with Washington Maritime Blue was very special and important to us in 2025, and we hope to continue this collaboration in the future. Pictured are Joshua Berger, WMB founder & CEO, and SBSCA President Lori Ann Reinhall.
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a Norwegian Lodge to celebrate Crossings 200 with style. The evening was a great collaboration between the SBSCA, Leif Erikson Lodge, and the Norwegian Commercial Club.. We are so grateful to all the volunteers — skål!
Oct. 19 was a special day when we gathered at Leif Erikson Hall in Ballard to commemorate 50 Years of Bergen Place park. The Norwegian Ladies Chorus and Seattle Mannskor were on hand to make the day even more special.
It was a memorable moment when we gathered with Friends of Bergen Place to celebrate 50 years of Bergen Place with the beautiful mural in the background.
At sunset on Oct. 19, Bergen Place was all aglow to mark the big day. Flags of all five Nordic countries are flown at the park to symbolize cooperation and unity.
None of will ever forget the morning we welcomed the Bergen tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl to Seattle's Pier 66 together with members of the Bergen delegation.
And then there was music at One Ocean Week Seattle, courtesy of the SBSCA. Here local cellist Gretchen Yanover performs at the One Ocean Week Summit.
And who could forget the performance of Maureese MO'Sax Itson aboard the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, another one of our musical contributions to One Ocean Week Seattle!
And what would an official delegation visit be without a stop at Seattle City Hall? We were especially proud to present our guests from Bergen with books by two of our members, Kristine Leander, SBSCA Secretary Julie Pheasant-Albright, and Wendy Jensen of Scandinavian Hearts.
And, of course, the Bergen delegation paid a visit to the new Sister Cities of Seattle signpost near the Museum of History and Industry.
There was more fun at the Pacific Fishermen Shipyard in Ballard with members of the Bergen delegation, Seattle Councilmember Dan Strauss, and other fun-loving members of the local community.
The SBSCA was happy and proud to participate in One Ocean Week Seattle Harborfest with an informational booth that included a slideshow overview of the history of Sister Cities and our major events in 2025.
And then we watched with wonder and gratitude as the Statsraad Lehmkuhl sailed away ....
It was a happy day when our two sailors, Davyn Waters and Isabel Bartholomew, landed in San Francisco after a week at sea with the One Ocean Expedition aboard the Statsraad Lehmkuhl. The project was a joint effort of the SBSCA, Norwegian Commercial Club, BLU Ideas LLC, and Washington Maritime Blue.
We had a flood of Christmas books, the Crossings jewelry collection, Scandinavian Hearts gift items, and good food and company at our first Holiday Open House —Julestua—at the Leif Erikson Lodge Kaffestua, a great way to kick off the season!
The year 2025 marked 200 years of organized Norwegian immigration to North
America, and the SBSCA was proud to present an official Crossings flag to the Sons of Norway Leif Erikson Lodge. From left to right: SBSCA VP Morten Blomsø, S SBSCA President Lori Ann Reinhall, and Lodge President Anne-Lise Berger.
A highlight of the Christmas season was Barnas Julefest, the Children's Christmas Party, sponsored by the Leif Erikson Lodge, the SBSCA, and the Karmøy Club. It was a day of pure joy and delight for the young and the young at heart!
Finally, on Dec. 23, Little Christmas Eve, it felt right to pay tribute to the ones who came before us, at the Leif Eriskon Plaza at the Shilshole Bay marina in Ballard. May the Seattle spirit live on forever and guide us through another year.
And that's a wrap for the SBSCA 2025
Happy New Year 2026!
