Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018 Ivar and Einar. Photo: Thor Brødreskift
Ullensvang. Photo: Helge Skodvin
Eivør. Photo: Sem Johnsson
Debunking stereotypes in Norse history After successfully taking Bergen International Festival on a journey to explore Norse history through the concert series Nordvegen (‘the north way’), duo Einar Selvik, from the Nordic folk project Wardruna, and Ivar Bjørnson, from metal band Enslaved, are expanding the historical series at this year’s festival.
Both Selvik and Bjørnson will be involved in the musical aspect of Nordvegen this year, but this time, they will also have a curating role.
By Line Elise Svanevik
Know your roots
The idea behind Nordvegen was to travel to four rural places in western Norway to create not just a concert, but an experience. “We did more than just perform; there were debates and talks, family activities, trips to historical places, and lectures,” explains Selvik, who is best known as the founder of music group Wardruna and for his participation in the hit TV series Vikings. “We wanted to create an experience that starts with the place, both its history and traditions, looking as far back as to when people first settled there. In some of these places, this part of the history wasn’t uncovered at all, so our hope was that even locals would leave the event with a new view of their hometown,” he adds.
A growing international interest in Norse history Nordvegen quickly became a popular concept that gathered a lot of interest, 78 | Issue 108 | January 2018
using a mix of modern sounds and some of Norway’s earliest musical instruments. “This work is really important to me personally,” says Selvik. “There is a growing interest in Norse history – both in Norway and internationally. Unfortunately, the broad dissemination suffers from over-simplification and stereotypes.” Having contributed to the soundtrack of TV series Vikings over the past five years, Selvik believes that there are many accepted truths about the Viking Age that are given too much attention in mainstream media. “A whole people and their culture are tarnished with a brush that only concerns a small percentage of the population during a short period in history,” he explains. “Focusing on other, more relevant issues, such as food, crafts, mythology, music and poetry, in addition to nature, is a great way to understand this time, because we’re still living in the same surroundings.”
In addition to the internationally renowned Faroese singer Eivør, the duo will be working with Icelandic author Bergsveinn Birgisson, whose work The Black Viking is currently being made into a TV series. “We believe that the value of knowing our roots and our identity is a positive thing when meeting new cultures. Knowing your own history and your own roots creates a sense of security,” says Selvik. Bekkjarvik. Photo: Jørund Føreland Pedersen
The Nordvegen concerts will take place at Os, Bekkjarvik, Ullensvang and Moster in May and June. Web: fib.no/nordvegen18