Decorah-area readers can join Vesterheim from home Wednesday, Oct. 28, for a free online discussion of Henrik Ibsen’s 1884 drama The Wild Duck. The Bokprat program is scheduled for 7 to 8:15 p.m. Central time and will be a conversation about the play—not a staged performance.
Because the event is entirely online, participants will not need to travel to Vesterheim in Decorah. The format also allows readers from across the surrounding area, including those who cannot attend an in-person museum program, to take part.
Registration required before the discussion
Anyone planning to attend must register in advance through Vesterheim’s event page. The registration process allows attendees to add the program to Google Calendar, iCalendar, Outlook 365 or Outlook Live.
Registration may not be the final step for joining the meeting. Vesterheim advises attendees to return to the event page shortly before the discussion because the Zoom access information may change. Information saved during registration may not be the newest way to enter the meeting.
Readers joining from home should check the event page again before the 7 p.m. start time to confirm the current meeting link and any other access information.
Discussion will explore family conflict and deception
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 drama 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 comes to light. The effort ultimately harms the people Werle hopes to help and pushes the family toward a deeper unraveling. Those developments give participants an opportunity to discuss deception, betrayal and disillusionment in modern life.
The play combines serious and comic elements through comedy and satire. Vesterheim describes it as realistic, while literary scholars have also connected it with symbolism. The drama is regarded as the first modern masterpiece in the tragicomedy genre.
The conversation may consider the family conflict and the ways humor, satire and tragedy work together. It will remain focused on discussing the drama rather than presenting it.
October program is part of Bokprat series
The event is part of Bokprat, Vesterheim’s recurring online book group focused on Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. The museum announced the October selection in August 2026.
Readers interested in joining can register through Vesterheim’s event page and return there shortly before Oct. 28 to verify the latest Zoom information. The free online program offers a way to participate in Vesterheim programming without attending at the museum.