12 January 2026
Guests gathered in the Chieftain’s House at Borg to mark midwinter inspired by how the Vikings once did it. During this year’s Midwinter blot, we lit the hope of the sun’s return through rituals, music and fellowship.
Volven and the Chieftain began the blot with questions to the gods. When will the light return, and what will the new year bring? In the guild hall, both young and old were gathered in silence, while the words and symbols linked the past and present together in an exciting and intense ceremony.
The Vikings play instruments and entertain visitors.
After the ceremony, the activities continued in the Chieftain’s House, where the hosts served hot tea and created space for both unity and conversation. The Vikings played up to song and dance, and various instruments filled the room with life. Several of the children also got to participate and create sound themselves, to the great joy of both them and the audience.
Furthermore, visitors could participate in the day’s Saturday activity: amulet making from bark. Here, runes were engraved that symbolized wishes and hopes for the year ahead. The result was small, personal objects charged with meaning and intentions, which visitors were of course allowed to take home with them.
An amulet is made of bark.
Even though the day was coming to an end, the atmosphere lived on in the house. Midwinter Blot is an event many locals appreciate. Several return year after year to mark this time together.
A few rounding words for the event:
Let wisdom, love, and strength remain in our hearts throughout the winter.
Let new light cleanse and show us new paths.
We part in peace, kinsmen.
A dignified end to a day where the rituals of the Viking Age are given new life, and where the hope of light in the darkness is at the center.
Here you can take a look at future events that will take place at all Museum Nord’s museums: