CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of Northern Iowa welcomes the community to a presentation on Danish history and culture by guest lecturer Frans Ørsted Andersen, associate professor of education at Aarhus University in Aarhus, Denmark.

Andersen will deliver the presentation, “Danish History and Culture: Connecting with the Past So We Can Flourish in the Future” at the Hearst Center for the Arts, 304 West Seerley Boulevard, Cedar Falls, on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

In the 1890s and the early 20th Century, more Danes immigrated to Iowa than to any other state. A large contingent of that immigration wave settled in Cedar Falls. Today, many fourth- and fifth-generation descendants of Danish immigrants have a weak connection to the land of their ancestors. Ørsted Andersen will explore ways that Iowans can connect with Danish history and culture for the benefit of both. 

Andersen’s teaching and research focus on positive psychology. He also studies Danish emigration to the U.S. from 1850-1920, particularly the colorful Danish-American entertainer and showman, Chris Madsen (1851-1944).

The event is sponsored by The Hearst Center for the Arts and UNI’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and School of Health and Human Sciences