Decorah residents can explore Henrik Ibsen’s “The Wild Duck” from home this fall when Vesterheim hosts a free online Bokprat discussion of the 1884 play on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. The program is scheduled for 7 to 8:15 p.m. Central time, and advance registration through Vesterheim’s event page is required.
The discussion is designed for local readers and others interested in Scandinavian literature. Because the program will be held on Zoom, participants will not need to travel to Vesterheim in Decorah. There is no charge to attend, but registration must be completed before the meeting.
How Decorah readers can join
People planning to participate should use Vesterheim’s event page as the registration point and sign up for the 7 p.m. Central start. After registering, attendees can add the event to Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365 or Outlook Live.
Registration is also the required step for receiving the information needed to join the Zoom session. Readers interested in taking part should check the museum’s event page for the registration process and access details before Oct. 28.
What “The Wild Duck” explores
“The Wild Duck” follows the Ekdal family, whose fragile peace is disrupted by Gregers Werle, an idealist determined to expose concealed truths. The story also follows an idealistic son who reveals the duplicity of his corrupt merchant father.
Werle’s attempt to rescue the people around him ultimately destroys the people he hopes to help. As the family’s situation unravels, Ibsen’s play examines deception, betrayal and the disillusionment of modern life.
The drama combines serious and comic elements through 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.
Part of Vesterheim’s Bokprat series
The October event is part of Bokprat, Vesterheim’s recurring online book-group discussion focused on Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. The meeting will continue the series’ remote format while examining Ibsen’s play.
Vesterheim announced the program in August 2026. For Decorah-area readers, the online format offers a way to participate in Scandinavian literature programming without attending in person—provided they register in advance.