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The use and the abuse of history, national heritage and nationalism

The use and the abuse of history, national heritage and nationalism

A lecture and panel discussion held at the University of Bergen on March 23, 2017

Excerpt: More than a thousand years ago, an intrepid explorer, Leif Ericsson, embarked on a voyage that landed him on the North American coast. A son of Iceland, and grandson of Norway, Ericsson and his crew are believed to be the first Europeans to the reach the shores of that continent. ‘A son of Iceland and grandson of Norway’ – a masterful ploy in diplomacy if there ever was one. I believe today we Icelanders and you Norwegians can be content with this compromise.

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This event includes a paper – “Icelanders or Norwegians? Leifur, Snorri and national identity then and now” given by Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, followed by a panel discussion, with:

  • H.E. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland
  • Dr. Guðrún Nordal, Director of The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, University of Iceland
  • Dr. Sverre Bagge, Professor in Medieval History, University of Bergen
  • Dr. Bergsveinn Birgisson, Associate Professor, University of Bergen and author of Den svarte vikingen

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