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American Scandinavian Association at Augustana

Annual Midsummer celebration
Annual Midsummer celebration. Photo courtesy of Vicki Peterson, 2016.

The American Scandinavian Association was founded in 1934 by a group of Scandinavians living in the Quad City area. We are an associate chapter of the American Scandinavian Foundation, headquartered in New York, and was an affiliate of the now-defunct Swedish Council of America.

The ASA aims are:

  • To stimulate and promote interest in relations and culture between the U.S. and all five of the Nordic countries
  • To preserve the Nordic heritage in Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa
  • To advance Nordic culture in the U.S. and U.S. culture in the Nordic countries

Some local annual celebrations include:

  • Yellow Pea Soup (Ärtsoppa) and Swedish Pancake Supper in January or February
  • Våffeldag celebration in March
  • Genealogy event in April in conjunction with the Swenson Center
  • Midsommar Fest in June
  • Concert by Swedish Jenny Lind vocal scholarship winner
  • Kräftskiva (Crayfish Party) in August
  • Lutfisk Dinner in Autumn, usually November
  • Luciafest together with Augustana's Scandinavian Studies Program
  • Occasional bus trips to Chicago's Andersonville and IKEA stores
  • Watch Augustana's Scandinavian Studies program for their schedule.

The ASA welcomes new members. Annual membership fees are $10 per individual, $20 per family/household. Membership privileges include opportunities for participation in ASA activities and informational flyers.

Email us to request a brochure! Or mail membership payment (checks payable to "ASA") to: ASA Membership, Swenson Center, Augustana College, 639 38th St, Rock Island IL 61201-2296. 

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