An Oslo gathering uncovered stories linking Ukrainian figures, Norwegian humanitarians, and a forgotten diaspora legacy preserved in the heart of Norway.
The Ukrainian community in Norway held a historic seminar in Oslo dedicated to little-known chapters in relations between Ukraine and Norway in modern history. The event took place at the National Library of Norway.
This was reported by the Ukrainian community in Norway on its Facebook page.
The seminar, titled “Ukraine and Norway: Connections Few Knew About,” was opened by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Norway, Oleksii Havrysh. Norwegian researchers Karl Emil Vogt and Harald Estgor Lund, as well as Ukrainian researchers Yana Sverdliuk and Oksana Huk, took part in the meeting.
Topics discussed at the seminar
During the event, participants discussed the aid organized by Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen for Ukrainians during the famine of 1920–1921. They also examined the activities of Ukrainian parliamentarians in Vienna during the Austro-Hungarian era.
The researchers also spoke about the ties between Ukrainian public figures and Norwegian writer and Nobel Prize laureate Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. In particular, they discussed his defense of the rights of Ukrainian students in Lviv at the beginning of the 20th century.
Another topic was the work of Mykola Radeiko, a representative of the Ukrainian diaspora in Norway.
Special attention was paid to Kristian Kristensen, the editor of the newspaper “Morning Herald,” who wrote a book about Mykola Radeiko. The figure’s son, Karl Roman Radeiko, was also present at the seminar.
For our community, Radeiko’s name has special significance: for 19 years now, we have begun Ukraine’s Independence Day at his grave in Oslo – we lay flowers, remember, and give thanks. Many of those present heard the profound story of his life, struggle, and dreams for the first time.
– the Ukrainian community in Norway said in a post
The organizers thanked the researchers for their presentations, Nataliia Yeremieieva for moderating the event, and the publication “Free Word” for its support.
Representatives of the Ukrainian community also announced a historical conference featuring Ukrainian and Norwegian historians. It is scheduled to take place on September 23 at the National Library of Norway.