There has been a lot of debate in Norway about whether to remember him or not. He is easily our most important novelist, and as a writer only second to Ibsen. Although never a party member, he was clearly a nazi sympatizer. For this he was despised by the vast majority of Norwegians for the remainder of his lifetime, stripped of his posessions and ended up in an insane asylum. Served him right, in my opinion.
When Norway now commemerates Hamsun for the first time, it`s all about highlighting very valuable and important pieces of art and history, and learning for them. His Nazi past and anti-semitism has not been airbrushed, but is openly discussed and criticized. Minescule lunatic fringes aside, such ideas have no supporters in Norway.
We believe in openness about history, and this twisted man`s literary works of genious deserve attention, just like many classic books and pieces of music are enjoyed wordwide , despite hateful traits in their originator. |
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