Vikings Today – National Romanticism or Extremism?

The PPE Forum examines the current use of Viking symbols.

Led by Bryne’s favorite son, Erling Braut Haaland, the Norwegian men’s national team performed exceptionally well at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Alongside the celebration of sporting achievements, the tournament also became a celebration of a form of Norwegian cultural heritage and history—a kind of neo-national-romantic medievalism.

In light of the rise of far-right extremism, it is timely to ask whether this phenomenon represents an inclusive or exclusionary form of nationalism.

And could it be that popularizing these symbols and cultural expressions and making them common property is precisely the best way to neutralize extremists’ use of them?

Panel
Markus Eldegard Mindrebø, Associate Professor of History at the Department of Cultural Studies and Languages
Ellen Hagen, Museum Educator at the Museum of Archaeology
Inger Undheim, Head of Department and Scandinavian Studies Scholar at the Garborg Centre
Jonas Fossli Gjersø, Associate Professor of History at the Department of Cultural Studies and Languages, PPE Academic Coordinator