The literature seminar is back at Hamsundagene
The literature seminar is back at Hamsundagene. The title "The Ring Ended" may be particularly fitting this year.
After a break of several years, the literary seminar at Hamsundagene on Hamarøy is once again ready for the 4th–7th of August 2026. It was precisely such a seminar that started the festival in 1982, and now the tradition is being revived with new perspectives on Knut Hamsun's life and writings. Since its inception in 1982, the literary seminar at Hamsundagene has been central. It has been the Hamsun Society that has been responsible for the event for the past six years. Now it is done in collaboration!
The seminar is held on the first days of the festival and is for all those interested in Hamsun, both inside and outside academia, and offers lectures, conversations and discussions with room for audience input.
- The goal is to provide an updated picture of current research and debate about authorship. Says Alvhild Dvergsdal, subject and research manager at The Hamsun Centre It is Dvergsdal and communication manager Sigurd Stranda who, in collaboration with the Hamsun company, have curated the seminar.
The program includes a number of presentations from key Hamsun researchers and communicators. Here are some examples of some of the excellent contributions to come; Tore Rem and Terence Cave give us insight into new English Hamsun translations. Ståle Dingstad and Frode Boasson present their work on new scholarly editions of Hamsun's books, and Eirik Vassenden shares perspectives from his upcoming book on wandering characters in Hamsun. Helene Uri will give lectures on gender and language, including Markens grøde and Pan. Beatrice MG Reed, Ingri Løkholm Ramberg, Troy Storfjell and Andreas Lødemel will give presentations on Sami characters in his writing. Ivar Roger Hansen shows how Knut Hamsun writes with understanding, respect and commitment to children and young people. Dvergsdal will give a presentation on the intellectual life of America, then and now, and Stranda asks if it is not time for a new, updated collection of short stories by Knut Hamsun.
Book talks and HamsundageneUNG:
For four days we will be immersed in books, concerts, science and play! HamsundageneUNG is a festival by the young for the young. In parallel, there will be a program that is also suitable for adults. We will also hear from author Helene Uri and her latest, controversial book: "In my cozy den". Author Tore Rem in a musical conversation about his illness book "Tidligere frisk mann". Sigbjørn Skåden will come to give an insight into the art project, casino in Lapland. We will talk to Lars Elling about the book "Nei dette husker vi".
There won't just be books at the festival, there will also be music, art and performance, debates, drama, and excursions.
- We start every day with the popular Breakfast Conversations on the fifth floor of the Hamsun Center and hope the audience will greatly benefit from our variable program! Says festival director Anita Overelv.
Time and place:
Hamsundagene starts on August 4th at Bardomshjemmet with the traditional opening of the festival. The literary seminar also starts on Hamsun's birthday, August 4th, and ends the following day. The festival "runs in parallel" from August 4th to August 7th, the festival for everyone: HamsundageneUNG, with a grand ending with the choir Trondheim Voices!
