Leif Erikson Day Celebration Flats West Bank - Cleveland October 9, 2025
The Scandinavian community of Cleveland, including those from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Greenland and Iceland gathered at the bust of Leif Erikson in front of Shooters in Cleveland's Flats. Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer regarded as the first European to land in North America (excluding Greenland), nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus.
Bust of Nordic Viking explorer Leif Erikson in Cleveland Ohio
Plaque on the Leif Erikson bust
According to the Sagas of Icelanders, Leif established a Norse settlement at Vinland, tentatively identified with the Norse L'Anse aux Meadows on the northern tip of Newfoundland in modern-day Canada.
In 1964 the United States Congress authorized and requested the president to proclaim October 9 of each year as "Leif Erikson Day". Each year local Scandinavians meet at the bust of the explorer which is in front of Shooter's restaurant in the Flats. Shooters has been closed so last year they met at a restaurant but they returned to the bust in 2025. Groups alternate hosting the event each year and 2025 was the Danes' turn. About 50 people from the various heritages attended.
They toast Erikson with the word skål which is Old Norse for "bowl." The traditional drink is Linje Akvavit, a 40 proof Scandinavian liqueur. Linje Aquavit is said to get its special flavor from its trip to the Equator. That's right; Aquavit is placed in barrels and put on a ship bound for Australia. It must pass the Equator and return to get the right flavor. All of the sloshing in the barrels on the long ocean trip makes the drink unique. It also has a distinctive flavor, partially because of spices such as caraway. Skol!
Danish Consul Chris Langmack leads the toast
Since the Danes were the host, J. Christian Langmack, Honorary Royal Danish Consul for ohio, led the toast. He then asked for a show of hands as the country was called and there were people of Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Greenland heritage. Many in the group then posed with the bust of Leif Erikson including this couple who came in from Denmark earlier in the week.
Couple from Denmark
Everyone then went to the Music Box Supper Club for lunch and remarks.
Here is a video from the event starting with Danish group leader Minna Mortensen explaining the event. She was followed by her son-in-law Dave who showed the Akvavait - the water of life. Then Danish Consul Chris Langmack led the toast. Watch.
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Here are some pictures of people at the Leif Erikson Day celebration.
