THOUSAND OAKS : Cal Lutheran to Hold Scandinavian Festival

All things Scandinavian--from pickled vegetables to the poetry of Henrik Ibsen--will be on display as the 21st annual Scandinavian Festival returns to Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks on Saturday.

The poetry of Ibsen, who was better known as a playwright, will be featured in a short performance scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Preus-Brandt Forum. Members of the Scandinavian Theater Company will read “The Murder of Abraham Lincoln” and “Terje Vigen.” Tickets are $2 at the door.

Another well-known Scandinavian author, Swedish American Carl Sandburg, will also be honored during the day, with a lecture on his life and works by his niece, Jane Matthews, a former Thousand Oaks resident.

Matthews recently donated family memorabilia to Cal Lutheran’s library, including a first edition of Sandburg’s six-volume book on Abraham Lincoln, volumes of poetry signed by Sandburg for his sister and a blue ballpoint pen used by the author. The items will be displayed in the library’s Scandinavian Foundation Room until May 13.

A children’s puppet show will be performed at 1 and at 3 p.m. Children can also learn to make Viking hats, trolls and wreaths from 1 to 4 p.m.

But the key component of the festival is food, with demonstrations in the morning and a smorgasbord in the late afternoon. Cooks with expertise in making items like lefse --thin potato pancakes--and Swedish meatballs will demonstrate their techniques throughout the day. The smorgasbord, from 3:30 to 6 p.m., will include pickled herring, salads, smoked ham, Swedish baked beans and Norwegian cabbage.

Festival admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children under 10. Smorgasbord admission is $15 for adults, $8 for children. For more information or reservations, call (805) 493-3151.