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Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? The students sleep in tents and use an outhouse. They do as much as they can to be self-sufficient- in the evening they put out nets, in the morning they bring in their nets and get the fish and clean them. They also learn to row and sail and bake their own bread and other traditional foods" Moe remarked. December, 2007-Spring Grove, MN speaks at Sons of Norway By Marlene Deschler Community Reporter
Roar Moe shares his experiences of living on an island and teaching youth of Norway about old-time boat building
"Where is the life we have lost in living? Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?" These three lines from a T.S. Eliot poem written in 1934, makes one ponder about what has been lost with the current fast-moving, fast-paced technical age that exists today. This passage has special meaning to a gentleman from Norway who has made it his ambition in life to remember the past, to learn from it and to teach others the importance of this as well.
Roar (pronounced similar to roo_- ar) Moe grew up along the West coast of Norway. He always had an interest in sports and history. At one time he was a physical education teacher and a ski instructor. In 1980, he came to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, to study United States sports during a summer session. At the time, U.S. sports such as football and golf were not being played in Norway, so he came to learn these, as well as others, sports.
About the school of history
In 1990, Moe and his partners started searching for a place to dock their authentically restored boats - boats that had been made in the traditional way of boat making before there were power tools and engines. They found a small island, Little Færøy, on the western side of Norway near the Solund community.
They then began their non-profit outdoor school. It was their desire to "fill old bottles with new wine." In other words, they wanted to teach students a new perspective on old history; they wanted them to do more than read about history, they wanted them to have hands-on experience.
Their program is set in an era in the early 1900s before the introduction of the engine. The activities are not only connected to the sea, but also to a Norwegian farm of that era.
The students learn traditional sailing methods with square sails that date back to the time of the Vikings. Moe is the main instructor, having left his other jobs to pursue this venture full-time.
"The Vikings were important because they were the super power in the world long ago," explained Moe. "They [the Vikings] had the technology to go to another country, settle it, and return. Others couldn't do that."
The weeklong programs run from early May through. The students sleep in tents and use an outhouse. They do as much as they can to be self-sufficient- in the morning they put out nets, in the evening they bring in their nets and get the fish and clean them. They also bake their own bread and other traditional foods. "The kids are participants in all that they do while on the island," Moe remarked.
Buildings on the island have also been restored. The last family that lived on the island left in 1965. They had some old pictures of the buildings, so they were able to restore them close to what they originally had been, again using the old-fashioned traditional tools.
In 1996, Moe moved to the island to live there full-time. Two individuals that students will meet during their time on the island are Martinus, an 88-year old boat maker, and Gudrun, a 77-year old lady who teaches cooking. These two people know the traditional methods first-hand and are able to pass their knowledge on to the students.
To earn a little extra money in the off-season of the school, Moe navigates a cargo ship along the coast. Recently the school culture program hired Moe to sail his boat to ten different schools along the coast to allow them the experience of seeing a boat built with traditional building methods. Next year they will be visiting 20 more schools.
Being that the sails are square, at least two people are needed to sail the boat and it is best to have five. For these school visits, their boat is followed by a motor boat incase the winds are not right for getting them into land, the motor boat can pull them in.
Moe has a wonderful story to tell about a project that is clearly close to his heart. He has many wonderful photos and video. Norwegian Public TV created a documentary about Moe and where he is living in a remote area and his program. "I have gotten many letters in response to that program," Moe said with a smile.
To hear even more details about his project and way of life, contact jillellyn@jillellyn.com to schedule a presentation and discussion. Roar is also available for SON events. According to their Website, www.sofn.com, "The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote and preserve the heritage and culture of Norway." |
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