Enchanting Tales of Nyckelharpa & Näcken

Explore the rich folklore woven into Nordic Folk Music, including legends of the Näcken, a shapeshifting spirit with the power to enchant musicians and their instruments. Once enchanted, their music held the extraordinary ability to make chairs dance and stop waterfalls. Musicians themselves could cast spells at one another, necessitating protective measures like a trollpåse hidden in their instrument. Discover the intriguing magic chart crafted by a Swedish musician in the mid 1800’s, which connected musical keys with colors, seasons, and emotions. His fiddle and music book immigrated to Minnesota with his son in the late 1800’s.

Registration encouraged but not required.

This program was funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, also known as Legacy Funding.