– This is one of the highlights of the year for us, says Bjarte Ystebø from Christian media norway. You can watch the broadcasts from the Thanksgiving festivity here on Verdinytt on Friday adn Saturday from 19:30 too 22:00. The Thursday evening will be broadcast as a recording later.
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For the second year in a row, christian Media Norway, wich is one of Verdinytt’s partners, is producing three evenings of live TV in November from a historic church building an hour’s drive north of Bergen. The broadcasts are scheduled for the American date of the holiday Thanksgiving – or høsttakkefest – and the two following days. There will be life and activity in the Emigrant Church on Thursday evening, but sadly, the live broadcast was interrupted due to issues with technical equipment. What occurs on this first evening will thus need to be recorded for later broadcast. Friday and Saturday will be sent live, as planned, according to the production crew.
<img data-pid="11694" src="https://verdinytt.no/bilder/web/db7e640082936.png?v=1732805990" width="980" height="551" srcset="https://verdinytt.no/bilder/web/db7e640082936.png?v=1732805990, https://verdinytt.no/bilder/web/16272b5426cae.png?v=1732805990 2x" alt="THANKSGIVING: Tone Haukeland Mork and Bjarte Ystebø lead broadcasts from the Emigrant Church on Sletta in Radøy from Thursday to Saturday. The picture is from similar broadcasts last year.
Photo: Christian Media Norway" class="lazyload nf
Everything takes place in the village of Sletta in Radøy, where there is a historic church. Once, it stood in America, built by Norwegian emigrants who came to America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They built the small church in a small town in North Dakota.
– My father grew up, like many in his generation in rural Norway, with the influence of emigration to America shaping society. There were America houses on every third farm. There were stories about those who left and how they fared. He developed an early captivation with this, Bjarte Ystebø tells Verdinytt when we speak with him Thursday morning during the last preparations for a weekend of live broadcasts.
– Our family lived in the USA in the early 1990s, and during that time, the idea came about to bring home a disused Norwegian emigrant church from the prairie in the Midwest and rebuild it in his home village of sletta, in Alver, he continues.
– I followed this journey in my teenage years until the church was ready in 1997. Not long after, my grandfather was buried from that church.And in the year 2000, Linda and I got married in that church. It means a lot to me and to everyone in our family.
class=”nf-o-text”>After starting the TV operation in the organization Christian Media Norway, he had the idea to create TV broadcasts from the emigrant church. This was accomplished for the first time last year. On Thursday the 28th, friday the 29th, and Saturday the 30th of November, a similar weekend of broadcasts will take place for the second year in a row - one evening recorded and two live.
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– The Finest American Holiday
– Why is it exactly the American holiday Thanksgiving that you choose to commemorate in this way?
– Thanksgiving is the finest of the American holidays we can import to Norway. It is also the least commercialized. It is about gratitude to God and people, for life, for everything we have, and for family. These are values to highlight, also for us. And the story of emigration is critically important to bring forward. next year marks the 200th anniversary of emigration, so this is exciting content, Ystebø replies.
Long Guest List
He has a long list of guests who will be on air during these evenings.
– I am looking forward to sharing the guests’ stories, the tale of emigration, great music, and fine preaching. This is one of the highlights of the year for us, says Ystebø, who will lead the broadcasts along with Tone Haukeland Mork, who is also his weekly partner on the TV show Live with Friends.
The programs will be broadcast on both Kanal 10 Norway and Bedehuskanalen, and online you can watch them here on Verdinytt.no and on Christian Media Norway’s youtube channel and Facebook page.
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How can viewers participate in the upcoming Thanksgiving broadcasts featuring Bjarte Ystebø?
Time.news Interview: Celebrating Thanksgiving with Bjarte Ystebø
Editor: Welcome, Bjarte Ystebø! It’s a pleasure to have you here. Your upcoming live broadcasts from the historic Emigrant Church are generating quite a buzz. Can you tell us a bit about why this event is such a highlight for Christian Media Norway?
Bjarte Ystebø: thank you for having me! This event is incredibly special for us as it connects our community with a rich heritage and fosters a spirit of gratitude. Celebrating Thanksgiving, or høsttakkefest, as we call it, allows us to reflect on the ties between our past and present, especially through the stories of Norwegian emigrants who sought new beginnings in America.
Editor: That’s fascinating! The Emigrant Church has such a unique history. Could you elaborate on its significance and why it was chosen as the venue for the broadcasts?
Bjarte Ystebø: Absolutely! The Emigrant church has deep historical roots, initially built by Norwegian emigrants in north Dakota during the late 1800s. It symbolizes the faith and resilience of those who left Norway in search of a better life. Bringing the event back to Norway,where this church now stands,pays homage to those stories and the cultural exchange that shaped both nations.
Editor: I understand that technical difficulties have already impacted the first evening’s live plans. How are you addressing this, and what can viewers expect in the broadcasts that follow?
Bjarte ystebø: Yes, unfortunately, we did experience some technical issues during the Thursday evening broadcast. However, we’re committed to providing quality content and will air that segment as a recording later on. For Friday and Saturday, our team is all set to bring live coverage filled with music, testimonies, and celebrations that embody the Thanksgiving spirit. Viewers can look forward to a vibrant atmosphere that captures both the joy and the communal aspect of this festival.
Editor: It sounds like it will be an enriching experience! What role does the Thanksgiving holiday play in the lives of Norwegians today, especially as you mentioned the influence of emigration?
Bjarte Ystebø: Great question! Thanksgiving serves as a reminder of our shared values—gratitude, family, and community. Manny Norwegian families have stories of emigration intertwined within their own histories. My father, for instance, grew up hearing tales of relatives who settled in America. These stories are not just personal; they resonate across communities and even generations, providing a sense of identity. the høsttakkefest is a way to celebrate that legacy.
Editor: It’s truly inspiring how you connect the past with the present.Do you foresee future celebrations building on this year’s events?
Bjarte Ystebø: Definitely! We hope to make this an annual tradition, continuing to strengthen the ties between our communities in Norway and those with ties to America. Every year, we can enrich the experience by inviting special guests, sharing more stories, and deepening our understanding of our intertwined histories.
Editor: Last but not least, how can people watch the upcoming broadcasts, and what do you hope they take away from the experience?
Bjarte Ystebø: The broadcasts can be watched on Verdinytt this Friday and Saturday from 19:30 to 22:00. We invite everyone to tune in and join us in celebrating gratitude, heritage, and togetherness. My hope is that viewers will feel a connection not just to the event but also to their own histories, realizing the power of storytelling and shared experiences.
Editor: Thank you, Bjarte! It’s been a pleasure discussing this wonderful event with you, and I wish you great success with the broadcasts.
Bjarte Ystebø: Thank you! I appreciate the possibility to share our story and invite everyone to join us in this celebration of gratitude!