Improving the World... One Interaction At A Time.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Norway
Country: Norway
Continental Location: Scandinavia, Northern Europe
What They Call Themselves: Norwegian
Primary Language: Norwegian
Prominent Cities: Oslo [capital], Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger
Well Known Historical Sites: Oslo Opera House, Royal Place
Currency: The Krone
Starter Phrases:
Welcome: Velkommen
Hello: Goddag
Thank you: Takk
You’re welcome: Ingen arsak
Goodbye: Ha det bra
Cheers: Skal (like “skole”)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: Henrik Ibsen (playwright); Knute Rochne (coached Notre Dame football in the 1920s); Edvard Grieg (composer); Edvard Munch (painter).
-The reining monarch of the Kingdom of Norway is King Harald V. Norway was united at various times with Denmark and Sweden over the course of 1100 years before dissolving the unions in 1905.
-Norway is one of a few countries in the region that is not part of the European Union (The EU), so they do not use the Euro. As a result, it is a very expensive place to visit because the strength of their currency (much like Great Britain).
-Norway’s extensive coastline, facing the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea, is home to its famous fjords. Geologically, a fjord (pronounced FEE-yord) is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.
-Due to its Northern locale, in summertime, the sun is out until 11pm in Norway.
-Sorry Rudolf, Reindeer is on the menu in Norwegian restaurants. It is a traditional dish. So is lutefisk (pronounced LOOT-uh-fisk), a popular fish dish.
-Two words: “The Scream.” You can’t visit Oslo without seeing this masterwork by Edvard Munch, which is on view at the National Gallery. It was stolen in 2004, and recovered in 2006.
-King Hakon V ordered Akershus Castle built in 1299 when Oslo was named capital of Norway. It is one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions.
-The 1994 Winter Olympics were held in Lillehamer, Norway. David Letterman famously sent his mother Dorothy to report from the Games. The day of the Opening Ceremonies “The Scream” was stolen. Norway led the medal count for these Olympics.
-Norwegians celebrate their national day on May 17.
-Knute Rockne (born in Norway) is considered one of the greatest coaches in college football. Actor Pat O’Brien portrayed Rockne and Ronald Reagan played George Gipp in the 1940 film Knute Rockne, All American. “Win one for the Gipper!”
-The Beatles’ ballad “Norweigan Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” appears on Rubber Soul.
What To Avoid:
Mention of thefts of “The Scream,” unless you incorporate its recovery.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Norway
Country: Norway
Continental Location: Scandinavia, Northern Europe
What They Call Themselves: Norwegian
Primary Language: Norwegian
Prominent Cities: Oslo [capital], Bergen, Trondheim, Stavanger
Well Known Historical Sites: Oslo Opera House, Royal Place
Currency: The Krone
Starter Phrases:
Welcome: Velkommen
Hello: Goddag
Thank you: Takk
You’re welcome: Ingen arsak
Goodbye: Ha det bra
Cheers: Skal (like “skole”)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: Henrik Ibsen (playwright); Knute Rochne (coached Notre Dame football in the 1920s); Edvard Grieg (composer); Edvard Munch (painter).
-The reining monarch of the Kingdom of Norway is King Harald V. Norway was united at various times with Denmark and Sweden over the course of 1100 years before dissolving the unions in 1905.
-Norway is one of a few countries in the region that is not part of the European Union (The EU), so they do not use the Euro. As a result, it is a very expensive place to visit because the strength of their currency (much like Great Britain).
-Norway’s extensive coastline, facing the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea, is home to its famous fjords. Geologically, a fjord (pronounced FEE-yord) is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.
-Due to its Northern locale, in summertime, the sun is out until 11pm in Norway.
-Sorry Rudolf, Reindeer is on the menu in Norwegian restaurants. It is a traditional dish. So is lutefisk (pronounced LOOT-uh-fisk), a popular fish dish.
-Two words: “The Scream.” You can’t visit Oslo without seeing this masterwork by Edvard Munch, which is on view at the National Gallery. It was stolen in 2004, and recovered in 2006.
-King Hakon V ordered Akershus Castle built in 1299 when Oslo was named capital of Norway. It is one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions.
-The 1994 Winter Olympics were held in Lillehamer, Norway. David Letterman famously sent his mother Dorothy to report from the Games. The day of the Opening Ceremonies “The Scream” was stolen. Norway led the medal count for these Olympics.
-Norwegians celebrate their national day on May 17.
-Knute Rockne (born in Norway) is considered one of the greatest coaches in college football. Actor Pat O’Brien portrayed Rockne and Ronald Reagan played George Gipp in the 1940 film Knute Rockne, All American. “Win one for the Gipper!”
-The Beatles’ ballad “Norweigan Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” appears on Rubber Soul.
What To Avoid:
Mention of thefts of “The Scream,” unless you incorporate its recovery.
