An Invitation After 200 Years: Norwegian Municipality Sends a Signal to the USA

Today, Vang is home to just over 1,600 people, one of whom is Tor-Evert Grøndal, known from the program 'Where No One Believed Anyone Could Live.' He initiated the idea of creating an advertisement aimed at Americans. At first, he treated the project with a sense of humor, but over time he became convinced it could bring real results.

Grøndal runs the company Bygdeliv, which aims to encourage people to move from cities to the countryside. As he emphasizes, together with his wife, he has found the life here that he had long dreamed of.

The idea was born in a year marking the 200th anniversary of Norwegian emigration to the United States. Grøndal had previously heard local officials discuss how interesting it would be to see the descendants of former emigrants return.

Director Ragnhild Lund and filmmaker Jørn Nyseth Ranum joined the project. All three emphasize that in today's unpredictable times, even such initiatives can succeed. The creators point out that some Americans are considering moving due to the tense political situation in their country.

The film features local characters, scenes from everyday life, and humorous shots with the former mayor and residents. The creators want to present Vang in a light and unusual way that may catch the audience's attention.

The material is expected to be ready at the beginning of December. The goal is to reach Norwegian Americans through social media and groups gathering descendants of Norwegians. Ranum and Grøndal hope the film will stick in viewers' minds and stand out among other recordings.

To increase its reach, the creators have partnered with the Sons of Norway organization. Its representatives have pledged to share the film with over 50,000 members in the USA, Canada, and Norway.

The creators hope the recording will circulate among numerous online groups, some of which gather hundreds of thousands of people. According to Grøndal, this is where interest in life in the Norwegian municipality may arise. The Vang municipality has also pledged financial support for the project.

The film also features Mayor Jørand Ødegård Lunde, who plays a short role. She emphasizes that the municipality itself cannot significantly influence the influx of new residents, which is why she counts on grassroots initiatives created by the local community.

Such actions increase Vang's recognition and may encourage people to get to know the region better. The mayor notes that anyone who decides to move will be warmly welcomed. She adds that the film project is an example of engagement that genuinely supports the municipality's development.

The film being prepared may become a modern showcase for Vang and, at the same time, an attempt to reconnect with the descendants of former emigrants. The creators hope that the humorous format will make the municipality stand out online and attract the attention of those interested in life in the small Valdres community.

Among the residents, there is anticipation for reactions from audiences in the USA and Canada. If the project reaches the right people, Vang could become the site of the first returns from across the ocean, inspired by a modern, reversed migration story.