Nordic Spirit Seminar: The Norwegian Constitution - 200 years

This year, Norway marks the 200th anniversary of its constitution, the oldest surviving written constitution in Europe. This celebratory seminar will feature prominent speakers from California, Washington and Norway, including Hilde Skorpen, Ph.D., Royal Norwegian Consul General in San Francisco, and Professor Terje I. Leiren, Sverre Arestad Endowed Chair in Norwegian Studies at the University of Washington.

Inspirations for the Norwegian Constitution (“Grunnloven”), the high drama around it, its lasting legacy and its implications both inside and outside of Norway – including the U.S. – will be discussed in a set of talks, followed by a panel discussion.

Panelists will examine where, how and to what extent the Norwegian Constitution inspired the liberal movements in Europe, as well as the early politics of U.S. states, especially those with large Norwegian and Scandinavian populations. In other words, its lasting legacy!

Admission to the afternoon seminar, 12:30-4:30 p.m., is free with CLU ID. A reception/dinner will be held in Lundring Events Center from 5 to 8:30 p.m. For admission information and registration, call 805-669-7032.

This seminar is a joint effort by the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation and California Lutheran University. It is sponsored by the Royal Norwegian Consul General’s Office in San Francisco and supported by the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce Southern California, Sons of Norway, Norsemen Lodge and the Association for Norwegian Students Abroad ­–­ Los Angeles.

Image: Hilde Skorpen, Ph.D.