For the past few years, the Norwegian television series "Mesternes Mester" has been one of the country's most popular shows. The show pits a group of former elite athletes against each other in a series of physical and mental challenges, with the winner being crowned "Mester" or Master.

But in 2020, the show took a different turn. Instead of athletes, the contestants were some of Norway's most talented craftsmen and women. This new version of the show was called "Margaret Mesternes Mester", named after Margaret Bergersen, a beloved Norwegian crafts teacher who passed away in 2019.

The Contestants

The contestants on "Margaret Mesternes Mester" were some of Norway's most talented craftsmen and women, each with their own unique skills and specialties. Among them were:

• Anders Folkestad, a blacksmith
• Bj??rn Holm, a boatbuilder
• Bente Presterud R??vik, a textile artist
• Erik Alfred Tesaker, a woodcarver
• Guro Sibeko, a potter
• Ingebj??rg Skr??mest??, a glassblower
• Janne Robberstad, a bookbinder
• Johanne Landmark, a silversmith
• Kjell Erik Ruud, a furniture maker

The Challenges

The challenges on "Margaret Mesternes Mester" were designed to test the contestants' skills and creativity. They included:

• Creating a piece of furniture from scratch
• Restoring a historic building
• Designing and creating a piece of jewelry
• Building a boat and taking it out to sea
• Creating a stained glass window
• Designing and creating a piece of clothing

The Winner

After weeks of intense competition, the winner of "Margaret Mesternes Mester" was announced. It was Erik Alfred Tesaker, the woodcarver from Lofoten. Tesaker's pieces were praised for their beauty and attention to detail, and he was awarded the title of "Margaret Mester".

The Legacy of Margaret Bergersen

Although she never appeared on "Margaret Mesternes Mester", Margaret Bergersen was the inspiration behind the show. Bergersen was a beloved crafts teacher who inspired generations of Norwegian craftsmen and women. She passed away in 2019, but her legacy lives on through her students and through "Margaret Mesternes Mester".

Through this show, Norway is celebrating its rich tradition of craftsmanship and the artisans who keep that tradition alive. "Margaret Mesternes Mester" is a testament to the importance of preserving these skills and passing them down to future generations.

Related video of Margaret Mesternes Mester 2020: A Celebration of Norway's Master Craftsmen