''Symra'' was a

Norwegian language Norwegian ( no, norsk, links=no ) is a North Germanic language spoken mainly in Norway, where it is an official language. Along with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a dialect continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regio ...

periodical published between 1905 and 1914. ''Symra; En Aarbog for Norske Paa Begge Sider Af Havet'' (Symra; an Annual for Norwegians on Both Sides of the Sea) was established to publish the literary works of

Norwegian American Norwegian Americans ( nb, Norskamerikanere, nn, Norskamerikanarar) are Americans with ancestral roots in Norway. Norwegian immigrants went to the United States primarily in the latter half of the 19th century and the first few decades of the ...

authors, writers and poets.

Johannes B. Wist Johannes B. Wist (6 April 1864 –1 December 1923) was a Norwegian American newspaper editor, journalist and author. Biography Born Johannes Racinus Benjaminsen, he was the son of Benjamin Olaus Johansen Wist (1829–97) and Magdalena Arnoldusdat ...

and Kristian Prestgard, both editors of the ''

Decorah-Posten ''Decorah-Posten'' was a notable Norwegian language newspaper published in Decorah, Iowa. It was founded in 1874 by Brynild Anundsen (publisher), Brynild Anundsen, a native of Skien, Norway, and widely read by Scandinavian immigrants in several s ...

,'' served as editors and publishers of ''Symra''s first volumes. ''Symra'' was printed by Decorah-posten's trykkeri in the Lutheran Publishing House, now a primary building of the

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa is the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, with over 33,000 artifacts, 12 historic buildings, and a library and archives. This treasure showcases one of the most extensive co ...

Decorah, Iowa Decorah is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,587 at the time of the 2020 census. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9 and U.S. Route 52, and is the largest commun ...

. In 1912, the Symra Company was re-organized with

Knut Gjerset Knut Gjerset (September 15, 1865 – October 29, 1936) was a Norwegian-American author, historian and college professor. Biography Knut Gjerset was born at Fræna in Møre og Romsdal, Norway. He was the son of Ole Sørensen Gjerset and Karen Marie ...

of Luther College, and P. J. Eikeland of St. Olaf College serving as editors. As well the magazine, the Symra Company published Norwegian language books including: ''Ameriká og Andre Digte'' in 1912, and ''Efterladte Digte'' in 1914. Both were books of poems written by Agnes Mathilde Wergeland. The pages of ''Symra'' featured a listing of notable Norwegian-American authors including:

Peer Stromme Peer Stromme also Per Olsen Strømme (September 15, 1856 – September 15, 1921) was an American pastor, teacher, journalist, and author. Early life and education Peer Olson Strømme was born in Winchester, Wisconsin to immigrant parents from No ...

Hjalmar Holand Hjalmar Rued Holand (October 20, 1872 – August 6, 1963) was a Norwegian-American historian and author. He was the author of a number of books and articles principally dealing with the history of Door County, Wisconsin, of the Upper Midwest and w ...

, Waldemar Ager, George T. Flom,

Peter Laurentius Larsen Peter Laurentius Larsen (August 10, 1833 – March 1, 1915) was a Norwegian-American educator and Lutheran theological leader. He was the founding president of Luther College. Background Peter Laurentius Larsen was born in Kristiansand in the co ...

Ole Edvart Rølvaag Ole Edvart Rølvaag (; Rølvåg in modern Norwegian, Rolvaag in English orthography) (April 22, 1876 – November 5, 1931) was a Norwegian-American novelist and professor who became well known for his writings regarding the Norwegian American imm ...

, and

Kristofer Janson Kristofer Nagel Janson (May 4, 1841 – November 17, 1917) was a Norwegian poet, author and Unitarian clergyman. Kristofer Janson is commonly recognized as the founder of the Norwegian Unitarian Church. Background Kristofer Janson was born in Be ...

.Symra: A Memoir (Einar Haugen. Norwegian-American Historic Association Volume 27: Page 101

/ref>

References

{{reflist

External links

''Symra En Aarbog for Norske Paa Begge Sider Af Havet'' by Kristian Prestgard (1905)

''Symra; en aarbog for Norske paa begge sider af havet''; (1906)''Symra en aarbog for Norske paa begge sider af havet''; (Volume 7-8) (1911)''Symra'',: Et Skrift for Norske Paa Begge Sider Afhavet V. 9-10 1913-1914
Defunct literary magazines published in the United States Magazines established in 1905 Magazines disestablished in 1914 Norwegian migration to North America Magazines published in Iowa Norwegian-language magazines 1905 establishments in Iowa 1914 disestablishments in the United States