Wales’s small but vibrant Norwegian community celebrated the arrival of the festive season on Sunday (4 December), at their annual Festival of Light and Friendship at their iconic church on Cardiff Bay.
Norwegians came to Wales in the 19th century as sailors and traders bringing pit props and supplies to the coal mines of south Wales as the industry boomed. Many settled, including the family of author Roald Dahl. He was born in Cardiff and baptised in the small church that was built in the Bute docks to serve the local community and visiting seamen.
As the community dispersed, the white wooden church fell into disuse and disrepair, but in later life Dahl led the campaign to have it preserved. It was eventually rebuilt at its present position on the waterfront, and now serves as an arts centre and café. It remains a focal point for Norwegians living, working and studying across Wales.
The church café was open to all, serving Norwegian favourites including waffles, cakes, mulled wine, hotdogs and lapskaus – a close relation to Welsh cawl.
There were workshops in the main hall for those wanting to learn how to make Scandinavian-style Christmas decorations.
As dusk fell, there was a traditional outdoor lantern procession to light the Christmas tree and welcome Santa. The band of the Salvation Army played.
This event was hosted by the Welsh-Norwegian Society, the Norwegian Church Cardiff Bay Charity and Vestland County Council in Norway, which has long supported the restoration of the church building and the maintenance of cultural and education ties between south Wales and west Norway.
Welsh Norwegian Society 
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