Background and Organisation
by Knut Listerud
Initiative
The municipalities of Grimstad, Hamarøy and Lom, together with the Hamsun Society (Hamsun-Selskapet) and other Hamsun circles in the three municipalities, are behind the initiative to arrange the Hamsun anniversary year, Hamsun 2009. One of the aims of the initiative is to develop the principal Hamsun locations in Norway so that Hamsun’s heritage can be protected and information about his writings, as well as his connection with each individual location, can be disseminated more widely.
Mission
The Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs (Kultur- og kirkedepartementet) has endorsed the initiative and wishes the 150th anniversary of the birth of Knut Hamsun to be commemorated in a manner commensurate with Hamsun’s international standing as an author. The Ministry has given the National Library responsibility for the official commemorations, which are to be planned and executed in collaboration with academic experts, the Hamsun municipalities and other relevant organisations and individuals.
Organisation
This national commemorative project, led by the National Library, has been given the name Hamsun 2009 .
A Project Forum has been established, consisting of representatives of the municipalities of Hamarøy, Grimstad and Lom, the Hamsun Society (Hamsun-Selskapet), research groups and the National Library of Norway (Nasjonalbiblioteket). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Utenriksdepartementet) has observer status in the Project Forum.
The principal task of Hamsun 2009 is to arrange four national commemorative events in Oslo, Lom, Hamarøy and Grimstad respectively. In accordance with a request from the National Library, each individual Hamsun municipality has established a Planning Committee for the Hamsun events taking place both locally and regionally.
Organisations and individuals involved
The 150th anniversary of the birth of Knut Hamsun will be celebrated over the whole of Norway. Norwegian schools, academic groups, organisations, municipalities, counties and other parties wishing to contribute to the dissemination of information about Hamsun’s life and works will initiate and implement activities independently, as well as collaborate on a variety of events.
The Hamsun anniversary will also be celebrated abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for international cultural collaboration and the promotion of Norway abroad. The aim of promoting Hamsun internationally in 2009 is to raise the profile of his writings, as well as to generate interest in Hamsun in a variety of cultural contexts in different parts of the world. An additional objective is to promote modern Norway as a nation presenting and renewing a significant part of its cultural heritage.
