Twin Cities honored in a new way
Norway House pays tribute to Minnesota in Gingerbread Wonderland
January 14, 2016
The Norway House recognizes the Twin Cities this year with a Gingerbread Wonderland commemorating famous buildings in the cities.
Some of these buildings include the Foshay Tower, the Minnesota State Capitol and the Stone Arch Bridge. The Gingerbread is inspired by a Norwegian tradition, according to Norway House program director Rachel Peterson.
“The idea comes directly from Norway and specifically the city of Bergen. Since 1991, every year they have built a replica of their own city out of gingerbread around the holiday season called Pepperkakebyen, which means gingerbread city,” Peterson said. “Imitation is the highest form of flattery, so we wanted to do that in the Twin Cities.”
Senior Paige Pinneke said she finds the idea of honoring the Twin Cities an appropriate way to recognize the architectural aspects of the cities.
“I think it’s a really awesome way to pay tribute to the Twin Cities because it’s a really great place with really great architecture,” Pinneke said.
Peterson said volunteers and professional bakers created the exhibit.
“The contributors are 80-90 percent volunteers, including individuals, families, members at Norway House, board members, staff, volunteers and people in the community around Norway House in South Minneapolis,” Peterson said. “We’ve had a handful of professional bakers involved from Patisserie 46, Coup d’Etat, Crave and Wuollet (Bakery).”
According to Peterson, the exhibit began construction in October, with contributions of gingerbread houses coming in through November.
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“The first contribution we got was in October and they just sort of streamed in steadily,” Peterson said. “We spent a full two days arranging and setting up the contributions in the correct places geographically.”
Peterson said a young contributor and her mother created her personal favorite part of the exhibit.
“The Mississippi River flows through part of the exhibit and one of the little girls from the Norwegian preschool program at Concordia Language Village made the Stone Arch Bridge with her mother and it just fits so perfectly over the river,” Peterson said. “They brought it in and it’s just the cutest thing ever.”
Pinneke said she is interested in the exhibit from an educational standpoint.
“I would visit the Norway House because I like learning about different cultures,” Pinneke said.
The exhibit remains open until Jan. 17. Tickets cost $5 for students and seniors and $6 for adults. Children under 12 get in free.
