Local News

A royal welcome for the new Nordic Museum in Ballard

Originally published May 5, 2018 at 6:44 pm Updated May 5, 2018 at 8:52 pm

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary waves to the crowd waiting to enter the new Nordic Museum in Ballard on Saturday. The grand-opening celebration continues with a community festival Sunday. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

Above: Overhead walkways provide sweeping views of the interior of the Nordic Museum. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

Left: Danish Royal Guard members Emil Andersen, left, and Daniel Nielsen came from Copenhagen for the grand opening. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

Local artist Steve Jensen made the Nordic Museum’s door handles, which symbolize “the handshake of the museum.” Jensen says he’s honored to have done them. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

Faeroe Islands artist Trondur Patursson checks his glass-birds sculptures suspended from the ceiling of the new museum. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

In this birch-forest exhibit, a giant video screen gives a sense of place of the Scandinavian countries. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

Contemporary Scandinavian art, including the wood-and-thread work “Crossing Paths” by Finnish-Sami artist Outi Pieski, fills an exhibition space. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

Exhibits give a historical perspective on the Scandinavian countries. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

Eric Nelson, CEO of the Nordic Museum, and Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, hold souvenir pieces of the ribbon that was cut Saturday. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

A giant map of the Scandinavian countries greets visitors when they enter the Nordic Museum. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

Kristen Anna photographs the spacious hall entrance to the museum. (Alan Berner/The Seattle Times)

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The new Nordic Museum in Ballard held its grand opening Saturday.

By

Alan Berner

Seattle Times staff photographer

April 30: ‘Mad dash to the finish’ as Seattle’s new Nordic Museum prepares for its grand debut

Alan Berner