International Vinland-seminar in Chicago, Registration has opened

International Vinland-seminar in Chicago

The IVS/Chicago Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that registration for the upcoming three day “International Vinland-seminar in Chicago” event, in now open.  The IVS/Chicago event is dedicated to the Norse discovery of America and Scandinavian Viking Culture and will be held 15–17 October 2010. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone with an interest in the topic to learn from some of the top researchers in the field from Norway, Iceland, Canada and the US.  Scheduled to speak are: Gisli Sigurdsson (Iceland), Torgrim Titlestad (Norway), Birgitta Wallace (Canada) and more. Seminar patrons will also have the opportunity to meet the Norwegian artist Jarle Rosseland whose Vinland-suite will be exhibited during the seminar.

In addition to a academic symposium held at the beautiful Hamming Hall at North Park University on Chicago´s North Side, there will also be a sight seeing tour to important Scandinavian-American landmarks with special lectures and an opening speech by Gary T. Johnson, president of the Chicago History Museum.

The International Vinland-seminar in Chicago aims to bring together all the Scandinavian communities in Chicago and beyond for a unique celebration of our common heritage.

The Background

The study of the Viking age is a field experiencing increased popularity today. The old idea of the Vikings as barbarians has now been replaced by a more complete view. The seafaring Scandinavians with their art, advanced religious, social and political systems and pioneering maritime and military technologies are now seen as founders of the idea of democracy. The more we learn about the Vikings, the clearer it becomes that this was a civilization just as advanced as it’s European counterparts.

Source: Vinland Seminar