Readers in the Decorah area will be able to join Vesterheim’s Scandinavian literature series from home this fall when the museum presents an online discussion of Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck. The free Bokprat 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. Once registered, participants can add the program to Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365 or Outlook Live.
How to join the Decorah-area program
The museum’s event page will provide the information needed to enter the Zoom conversation. Since those access details may be updated, attendees should return to the page shortly before the 7 p.m. start rather than rely only on information saved during registration.
Because the discussion is online, participants will not need to travel to the Vesterheim museum in Decorah. People throughout the area can take part from home.
A family drama about truth and disillusionment
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 hidden truths. The play explores 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. The effort ultimately harms the people Werle hopes to help, pushing the family toward a deeper unraveling.
Those conflicts offer several possible subjects for the Bokprat conversation, including 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. Participants may also discuss its family conflict and the way humor, satire and tragedy operate together.
Part of Vesterheim’s recurring Bokprat series
The October meeting is part of Bokprat, Vesterheim’s recurring online book group focused on Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. The museum announced the program in August 2026.
Residents who want to attend should register through Vesterheim’s event page and revisit it before Wednesday, Oct. 28, for the latest Zoom access information.