Old Maine Swedish Farms
It is sad to say but true. The Swedish language is slowly dying here in Maine Swedish Colony. Local filmmakers Brenda and Alan Jepson have recently released their lastest DVD which chronicles the importance of the Swedish language to the culture of the community. Several Swedish speakers are interviewed, including Floyd Jepson and Edmund Anderson, both no longer with us. Another interviewee is Lewis Peterson.
Dan Olson, narrator and language consultant for the film, conducts personal conversations with local people in Swedish. The focus of the interviews centers on living on the farms in the old days and what life entailed in those times.
Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) recently aired an interview with the filmmakers. Follow the link to read the transcription and to listen to the rich audio which includes Swedish music, the Swedish interviews, and English translations.
Crown of Maine Productions offers the opportunity to own your own copy of “Old Maine Swedish Farms.”
April 16, 2011 at 2:27 pm
I had no idea there were Swedish speaking people in America. And now they’re gone? On the bright side most Swedes speak English. Hoppas språket lever kvar : )
May 5, 2011 at 12:21 am
My Aunt was from New Sweden in Aroostook County.
February 27, 2012 at 6:03 pm
I lived in New Sweden and Stockholm for most of my childhood and high school. I lived at the B & A in New Sweden and am trying to find out where the two lions came from that are perched on the front steps of one of the houses.