Decorah-area readers can join a free discussion of Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck from home this fall, as Vesterheim moves its Scandinavian literature series, Bokprat, online. The program is scheduled for 7 to 8:15 p.m. Central time Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.
Advance registration through Vesterheim’s event page is required. After signing up, participants can add the program to Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365 or Outlook Live. The museum’s event page will provide the information needed to join the Zoom conversation.
How to attend the Vesterheim discussion
Readers planning to participate should register before the program begins and return to the event page shortly before the 7 p.m. session. Vesterheim says Zoom information may be updated, so attendees should check the page again rather than relying only on details saved during registration.
Because the discussion will be held online, participants will not need to travel to the Vesterheim museum in Decorah. The event’s online format allows readers in the Decorah area to take part from home.
What Ibsen’s play explores
First published in 1884, The Wild Duck follows the Ekdal family after its fragile peace is disrupted by Gregers Werle, an idealist determined to expose concealed truths. The story examines the relationship between an idealistic son and his corrupt merchant father.
As Werle tries to rescue the people around him, his father’s duplicity is revealed. That effort ultimately destroys the people Werle hopes to help and pushes the family toward a deeper unraveling.
The Bokprat conversation may address deception, betrayal and disillusionment in modern life. The drama combines serious and comic elements, including comedy and satire. Vesterheim describes the work as realistic, while literary scholars have also connected it with symbolism.
The play is regarded as the first modern masterpiece in the tragicomedy genre, giving participants several possible ways into the discussion. Those entry points include family conflict and the way humor, satire and tragedy work together.
Part of Vesterheim’s Bokprat series
The October event is part of Vesterheim’s recurring Bokprat series, an online book group focused on Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. Vesterheim announced the program in August 2026.
Readers interested in joining should register through the museum’s event page and revisit it before Wednesday, Oct. 28, for the current Zoom access information.