Norway Partner Meeting: N-LITE Explores Literary Tourism through Hamsun’s Legacy
Discover how N-LITE partners explored Knut Hamsun’s legacy while advancing literary tourism and connecting youth voices across the NPA region.
In early September, N-LITE partners gathered in Northern Norway for an enriching exploration of literary tourism, centred around the works and legacy of Norwegian writer, Knut Hamsun. As part of N-LITE's ongoing mission to promote literary tourism, this partner meeting offered both cultural immersion and strategic project development, bringing together representatives from across the Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) region.
A Journey into Knut Hamsun's Legacy
Hamsun, one of Norway's most notable literary figures and Nobel laureate, was the focus of the first day. Partners explored the Hamsun Centre in Hamarøy, an architectural marvel designed to mirror the complexities of Hamsun’s works. The modern museum’s striking design—with asymmetric shapes, undulating surfaces, and tapering staircases—provoked reflection on the contradictions between Hamsun's controversial personal life and the deep humanity found in his characters.
Participants experienced the soundscapes, text projections, and installations that brought Hamsun’s literary world to life. The day concluded with a dinner at a nearby lighthouse, prepared according to recipes inspired by Hamsun’s works—an evocative nod to the sensory experiences portrayed in his stories.
Deepening Cultural Connections: Arrán and Sámi Heritage
The second day saw the group visiting the Arrán Sámi Centre, a hub for preserving and promoting Lule Sámi culture, language, and social life. This visit tied into N-LITE's commitment to engaging with diverse regional cultures. Discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration, particularly around the N-LITE youth initiative, "Future Voices," which aims to connect young people from across the NPA region through literary tourism projects.
Strategic Discussions and Progress on N-LITE Deliverables
The in-person partner meeting also allowed for significant progress on key project deliverables. Partners reviewed the outputs of Work Package 1, which focuses on leveraging immersive technology for the benefit of literary tourism SMEs. Discussions covered the finalisation of the Digital Innovation Toolkit, which will assist SMEs in implementing immersive technology, as well as updates on the immersive tech pilots in Norway, Finland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands. A standout moment was the demonstration of motion capture technology, showcasing how it can enhance visitor experiences through interactive storytelling.
Work Package 2, focused on engaging youth in literary tourism, also took centre stage. Partners brainstormed ways to implement the "Future Voices" pilot, aimed at inspiring young people to create digital content that showcases their region's literary heritage. The potential for partnerships with Arrán's youth programmes was also explored, with the goal of fostering cross-cultural dialogue between Sámi youth in Norway and young people in other NPA regions, including Ireland’s Aran Islands.
Next Steps and Future Collaborations
Looking forward, the meeting set the stage for future collaborations, particularly in connecting the N-LITE project with Bodø 2024—European Capital of Culture. Plans are underway to ensure that youth voices from the NPA region are part of this prestigious programme, with the possibility of creating a lasting legacy for literary tourism development.
Partners are now gearing up for the next in-person meeting, scheduled for April 2025 in Finland, where they will continue to refine strategies for promoting literary tourism through cutting-edge technology and cross-regional collaborations.
Conclusion
The Norway Partner Meeting was a successful blend of cultural immersion, strategic discussions, and future planning. By connecting historical literary figures like Knut Hamsun with modern-day technological innovations, N-LITE continues to forge new paths in literary tourism, ensuring that cultural heritage remains a vital and dynamic part of regional development.
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