ACTIVITY GROUPS AND COURSES – SPRING 2023
The Activities and Courses are open only to members.
Members: Please sign up as indicated in the Newsletter
Non Members: if you would like to become a member, please email int.forum@online.no for an application form.
Please note membership is not automatic. Applications are processed and decided by the Board.
Activities:
International Forum Activity Groups are formed when one member or a group of members get together and organise an activity. No payment is required, and the activities are open to all members depending on availability. Are you interested? See the contact information below.
If you are interested in an activity that is full, sign up anyway, as there may be cancellations. If you have problems joining an activity because it is full, please contact Gunnel Anita Solheim, as we might consider forming new groups.
Contact: Gunnel Anita Solheim.
ACTIVITY GROUPS
The Norwegian Conversation Group (norsk samtalegruppe).
This is a group of twenty ladies from India, Colombia, Indonesia, Russia, Peru, Germany, Canada, China, Taiwan, Hungary and Norway. We meet once a month in each other’s homes. The intention of the group is to practise speaking Norwegian in an informal setting and to share experiences and interests in our daily life. We have all levels of proficiency.
There is no homework, since the main point is to come together and have fun. The hostess decides if she wants to serve a light lunch or just coffee and biscuits (or cake) after the practice session. We usually meet on Fridays at 11:00.
Contact: Eva Øglænd or Mona Bækkelund Reinboth.
DRAMA READING GROUP
The drama readings are normally held once a month in a member’s home. Due to the pandemic and personal issues the meetings have been very limited in the last couple of years.
The plays chosen are both old and new, and are from all around the world. The readings are in English. The dates for the readings are flexible and usually decided a month in advance depending on how many can attend on a certain date. A light lunch will be served after the reading.
Contact: Suzanne Garman-Vik.
INTERNATIONAL BOOK CLUB I
We meet on the third Wednesday of the month in members’ homes to discuss a book, usually a novel from worldwide literature, chosen by the group. The hostess serves a light lunch.
This International Forum year we had a chance to meet physically seven times.
Contact: Dorota Steensland.
INTERNATIONAL BOOK CLUB II
The same objectives as those of the International Book Club I. The gatherings take place once a month.
We are very happy to be able to see each other again and to meet in person for our discussions of the selected book. We continue to meet on the first Thursday of every month and take turn to host the meeting with a simple lunch. There is an opening for a new member.
Contact:
Heidi Høivik.
COOKING GROUP I
Cooking Group 1 has been up and running for many years, I have notes backdating to 1996. Some of the ladies are still in our group, since we are an international group, some are leaving and new are attending. As we rotate between each other’s private homes there will be limited space most times.
Contact: Liss Laan.
MONDAY DUPLICATE BRIDGE
We usually play Bridge every Monday. The gatherings take place in members’ homes.
Contact: Kirsten Whist.
MONTHLY WEDNESDAY BRIDGE GROUP
We generally meet on the second or third Wednesday of the month, depending on the holidays. We are usually 8 or 12 players, on occasion 16. We play duplicate bridge and enjoy a light lunch afterwards.
Contact: Ida Tschudi Heilemann.
WALKING GROUP
Kerstin Pettersen will send an e-mail to the group members and inform them of the first walk of autumn 2021.Walking is great exercise and fun for those who like the outdoors. If you are interested, please send Kerstin your mobile number and email address.
Contact: Kerstin Petersen.
SWIMMING AT LYSEBU
The Danish Cultural Centre at Voksenkollen is now open again and members of the International Forum will be most welcome to swim at Lysebu and only have to show their IF membership card at the front desk. The fee being NOK 100.- per visit. This is not a group activity as such, but IF members can use this great, newly renovated facility as a group or individually.
The swimming facilities are open to IF members all weekdays. (While Saturdays and Sundays are reserved for guests at the hotel).
Contact: Gunnel Anita Solheim.
Lysebu
Photo Group
Learn how to use your photos creatively and to organise them so that you can find them easily. Beginners, skilled amateurs and professionals are all equally welcome. The idea is to have a “workshop” once a month where we share our knowledge and skills in handling digital photos.
Don’t let your beautiful shots and precious memories get lost among thousands of other pictures on your computer. Organise your photos so that you can find them easily and use them to make beautiful, personalised cards or picture collages for yourself and for friends.
This is a group for amateur photographers. No special qualifications are required, just an interest in learning about digital photography. We organise 6-8 workshops annually. The aim is to become a better photographer, learn how to master devices such as camera, telephone, computer, iPad, and be creative in for example Photo Books, make Greeting Cards, or post Instagram stories, among others. We have workshops 4-6 times a year. We also go on ‘Outdoor Photo Safaris’, an activity we started during the pandemic. We shall also have workshops at Gunnel Anita’s home or at another member’s home from 13:00 – 15:00.
Contact: Gunnel Anita Solheim.
Courses
The International Forum Courses are organised by members who teach or lead a course for a fee. (Contact details may be obtained via the International Forum Office.)
TRADITIONAL NORWEGIAN ROSE PAINTING
Rose painting (‘rosemaling’) is a traditional Norwegian folk art which goes back to the 1700s and which is still alive in many parts of the country. Morning and evening courses can be organized for large or small groups.
Contact: Vivian Grieg Teisner.
