Atlantica - 01.07.2004, Page 18

16 A T L A N T I C A
If you’re looking to beat NYC’s summer heat, then it’s time to cool
down with an evening of jazz. On Wednesday evenings, head to the
Scandinavia House, hang out on the terrace and let the Nordic
sounds wash over you.
For the second year in a row, the Scandinavia House, along with
Restaurant Aquavit, welcomes “Jazz House Summer Nights,” a
weekly concert series bringing you jazz with a touch of Nordic flare.
For more information on “Jazz House Summer Nights,” which runs
through 25 August, log on to www.scandinaviahouse.org.
Cool Jazz
“A brittle, glazed and salted biscuit typically in the shape of a loose knot” is how the
Oxford Dictionary defines the word “Pretzel”- a dry description that belies the fasci-
nating history of this crunchy snack.
Its origin can be traced back to the seventh century when Italian monks baked <i>pre-
tiola<p>, a soft pastry served as a treat for townschildren. Translated literally as “little
reward,” the pretiola was a symbol of good luck, long life and prosperity.
The modern day pretzel, like many great inventions, was largely an accident, created
when a rookie baker in Pennsylvania left a batch of traditional pretzels in the oven for
too long. The resulting crispy concoction delighted his boss so much he put them on
sale and the rest, as they say, is pastry.
Since then the humble pretzel has gone on to conquer the world, inspiring the pret-
zel twist dance craze in 1959 and becoming the forth most popular snack in America in
1960. The pretzel’s finest hour, however, came in 2002, when it gave George W. a solid
gold shiner. He choked on one while watching football on the White House couch.
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Funny Old Word:
Pretzel
airmail
THE SKANDINAVIA HOUSE
011 Airmail ATL 404 21.6.2004 8:16 Page 16