Anastasiia Smyk came to Norway from Ukraine in 2011. Just a year later, she found her way into the Norwegian Viking community, an interest that quickly grew into a deep personal commitment. Today, she is a well-known and beloved figure within the Oseberg Viking Heritage Foundation and a driving force in Viking life in both Tønsberg and Sandefjord.
By Elin Fylling
Over the years, Anastasiia has taken part in everything from festivals, volunteer work, and sailing with the Saga Oseberg, to expeditions aboard the Viking ship Saga Farmann. At the same time, she has worked tirelessly on integrating Ukrainian refugees, both as an interpreter and through her own initiative, “Vi Sammen – Ukrainian Meeting Place in Tønsberg.”
First Encounter with the Vikings
“My brother and I had just started getting interested in the Viking Age. We heard that the Saga Oseberg was going sailing and that it would be filmed. The departure was set for nine o’clock, so we were ready at the pier five minutes before. Now I know that ‘nine o’clock’ in the Viking world actually means you should be there at least an hour early, but we didn’t know that then.”
It was raining, and Anastasiia and her brother were soaked. Their Viking clothes—hurriedly sewn at home—were waterlogged and heavy as lead. There they stood, two teenagers in homemade outfits from another era, each with a Kiwi grocery bag as luggage.
“I remember the look the captain gave us when he saw us. He basically looked at us like a couple of vagrants who had wandered onto the dock and were now insisting on joining the voyage.”
They had been told earlier they could join, but hadn’t signed up or given notice. They simply showed up.
“We’re coming along,” Anastasiia said.
“Of course, it caused total confusion. People got stressed. This was at the very beginning of the Saga Oseberg voyages, with strict routines, insurance requirements, and responsibilities. But we were given a chance, and they took us with them.”
Anastasiia says they felt like the first Vikings in a new land. They spoke little Norwegian and everything was unfamiliar. Fortunately, the Vikings were kind, and the next day they returned with dry clothes, a bit more confidence, and their membership dues paid.
A Steady Hand On Deck
On board the Saga Farmann, Anastasiia has taken on a central role—especially in the galley. She makes sure the crew has everything they need, even in tough situations. It’s not just about food; it’s about safety, morale, and community. She always brings along a small chest filled with sweet treats. “That can save a day with bad weather and low spirits!”
The first day of sailing with Saga Farmann in 2023 was dramatic. A motorboat came speeding into Tønsberg harbor, and she was struck in the back and head by a boom. Even then, all Anastasiia could think about was the rest of the crew. She was worried about how they would manage without the ship’s cook. “I didn’t even get to say anything other than where I had hidden the food before they took me off the ship. ‘Food below deck’ was all I managed to say.”
After a visit to the emergency clinic, she came back with strict orders to take it easy. She was treated like a queen on board and could give instructions with a clear conscience.
This year, Anastasiia will once again be the cook as Saga Farmann sails through the French canals toward Paris. On the 2023/2024 voyages, her thoughts were heavily influenced by the situation in Ukraine, and everything felt a bit like a fog. Now, she wants to let go of the worry and look forward to new experiences.
“This year, I’m going to enjoy as much as I can, guilt-free. Be myself, and be a Viking.”
A Big Thank You to Vi Sammen
In recent years, Anastasiia has also dedicated much time to the “Vi Sammen” initiative, which aims to build community for Ukrainian refugees in Norway. Together with Oseberg Viking Heritage, she has helped connect volunteers and refugees with the Viking community. She says she’s received great support from the foundation, which has become a space where she has found both her friends and herself.
Last Thursday, Anastasiia and the participants in Vi Sammen received a special thank-you for all the help they’ve contributed—especially for all the delicious food they’ve made during volunteer events. With a distinguished visit from NAV Kongsberg, everyone was, of course, invited on board the Saga Oseberg. It became a day full of smiles and togetherness, even though the weather didn’t fully cooperate.
For Anastasiia, everything she does, on land and at sea, is about people. With her warm heart and strong presence, she has become an invaluable part of the foundation and everything Oseberg Viking Heritage stands for.
Translated from Norwegian by Chatgpt