Inside Sandzen Fall 05

INSIDE SANDZÉN
This feature, highlighting a discovery relating to Sandzén from the archives, will be periodically updated on the website and is planned for each issue of Gallery Notes.

Svensk Hyllningsfest, a festival honoring the Swedish pioneers, now takes place each odd-numbered year in Lindsborg, at the same time as the Bethany College homecoming. It has just been completed for 2005 (Oct. 6-9).

Letters in the Sandzén Archives record events of the first Hyllningsfest, held in 1941, in which the Sandzén's played a significant part. Margaret Sandzén was at that time working on her Master's in Art History at Columbia University in New York City, and her parents, Birger Sandzén and Alfrida Sandzén, and Gladys Hendricks, Bethany student, teacher, and close friend of the Sandzén's, all wrote to her about these events. Following are excerpts from two of these letters that focus on the first Hyllningsfest. Excerpts from a total of seven letters may be found in the Fall 2005 issue of Gallery Notes, distributed to all Gallery members.

Letter I. Birger Sandzén to his daughter Margaret, October 18, 1941, with Alfrida writing in the margin that "Daddy's [Swedish] costume is a 'knockout' --yellow pants, red vest, and blue coat all trimmed in brass buttons!" Birger Sandzén, it may be noted, is the one who is able to write a longer letter on the morning of the second day of Hyllningsfest. Meatballs no doubt are keeping Alfrida's hands busy!

Karaste min lilla Greta [My Dear little Greta]!
We are having considerable excitement in our little Lindsborg these days. Yesterday, the first day of our Pioneer Festival, was a great success. The historic parade in the forenoon was amazingly fine, considerably over a mile long, a dozen bands in gay uniforms, Viking floats, glimpses of Swedish history, about fifty Indians [the arrival of the Spanish explorer Coronado was being also commemorated in Kansas at the same time with the help of local school children dressed as Indians], pictures of pioneer life, dugouts, log houses, Swedish costumes everywhere, etc.
The Swedish "Smorgasbord" in the gymnasium, 5 to 8 in the evening, was a great success and practically all of the good things to eat vanished. There was not a single meatball left. Mother is the very able head of the meatball committee. She and her assistants will make meatballs on a staggering scale to-day. Little morfar [grandfather --Alfrida's father Eric Leksell] was along in the gymnasium to enjoy the delicious smorgasbord.
There is a large platform down town where a continuous program is going on. Poor little rags [the Sandzén dog] was all excitement yesterday and neatly barked his head off. The first shock came in the morning when I appeared in my gorgeous costume. His ears went straight up and his black eyes sparkled.
We have a good but informal exhibition in the College studios [Swedish pavilion], a fine selection of your oils and water colors. . . .
It is now ten o'clock in the morning, and this is all I have time to write. . . .

Letter II. Birger Sandzén to his daughter Margaret, October 19, 1941.

Dearest:
This is Sunday morning. It is a lovely day with a quiet rain falling. Most of the Lindsborg people are tired, especially the ladies, but happy over the very successful festival. The "Smorgasbord" in the gymnasium was a tremendous success. About 2,500 meatballs, of which Mother, with the assistance of Gladys [Hendricks] and John Elliott [Gladys' brother], has made 800, were consumed. We have met a lot of old friends from several states during the festival.
I was told a few minutes ago that my gay Dalecarlian costume was awarded first prize in the contest held at ten o'clock last night. "You did not have to be there," I was informed. Mr. Berggren had made the costume for me and I shall thank him again to-morrow for his good work.
This is all I have time to write this morning. . . .

Love and blessings!
Father