University Letter

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Norwegian Bicentennial Constitution exhibit opens April 8

The only traveling exhibition created in Norway to mark the 200-year anniversary of that nation’s Constitution will be coming to UND April 8-23.

The exhibition, coordinated by the Special Collections Department at the Chester Fritz Library, will open April 8 with exhibition curator Trond B. Olsen, who published a book of art that accompanies the exhibition, 1814-2014 Red, White, and Blue: Norwegian Constitution, American Inspiration. The exhibition of the same name will be displayed on the second and third floors of the Chester Fritz Library, April 8-23.

An opening reception will be held on the third floor of the library on Wednesday, April 8, from 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Refreshments and snacks, including Norwegian cookies prepared by members of Grand Forks’ Sons of Norway Gyda Varden Lodge, will be served. Entertainment will be provided by Megan Peterson on the Hardanger fiddle. All events are free and open to the public. It can be viewed during normal library hours, except for Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m.

During the reception, a short program will be held in the second-floor reading room, beginning at 5:30 p.m., and will include comments by exhibition curator Olsen. His book of art will also be for sale.

Comprising 55 original works by 10 Norwegian artists, the exhibition provides a contemporary perspective on the significance of the Norwegian Constitution. Each of the 10 chosen artists submitted several works, which range from bold, colorful graphics to subtle ink drawings and photographs, as well as oil paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media.

Co-sponsors of the exhibition are the Gyda Varden Lodge, Nordic Initiative, and UND’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures (Norwegian Program). The program, the exhibition’s U.S. tour and the accompanying book of art are supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

“The relationship between Norway and the United States is very strong, and continues to be a vital touch point for North Dakota and Minnesota,” said Bruce Gjovig, chair of Nordic Initiative who facilitated the exhibition coming to the Chester Fritz Library. “We have a deep and historic connection to historical and modern Norway.  It was important we were able to host the exhibition here.”

Olsen conceived the idea of an American-Norwegian celebration, and the connection to the U.S. Constitution.

“The project was to promote the ideas of freedom projected in our Constitutions,” Olsen said during an earlier presentation.  “The U.S. and Norwegian Constitutions speak to the right to life, free speech, religious freedom and due process of law. We are thankful to your nation.”

Historical background
In 1814, Denmark lost control of Norway, a territory it had held for more than 300 years. Leaders from throughout Norway quickly gathered to craft a constitution, one which would establish Norway as an independent country with its own government. Drawing inspiration from the Constitution of the United States and French philosophy, Norwegian leaders drafted a document which created a democratic government with a balanced federal authority. This document was signed in the mountain retreat of Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814, a date commemorated by Norwegians every year as their national day.

With only a few amendments, it has been in continuous force since 1814, making it the oldest such Constitution in Europe. The Norwegian Constitution was made official during a signing event at Moss, Norway where the American College of Norway is now located, which has a strong connection with UND.

Exhibition background
The exhibition opened on May 17, 2014, (the Constitution’s 200th anniversary),  at the Eidsvoll Center in Norway. The exhibition was on display during the summer of 2014 in Norway, where it was seen by thousands of visitors. The exhibition opened in the United States at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington in August 2014, then traveled to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia with a symposium on the relationship between the Constitutions of Norway and the United States. The exhibition was most recently in Washington, D.C. at Union Station.