The author Knut Hamsun (1859-1952) is both loved and disputed. The way in which he lived his life illuminates an interesting and intriguing personal story and makes him an excellent read which is well worth while. On the 27th and the 28th of October 2009 Hamsun is put to the centre of everyone’s attention at the Babeş-Bolyai University in Cluj in the celebration of his 150-year anniversary.
Born in the beautiful inland area of Vågå in Gudbransdalen, Knut Hamsun was to spend most of his upbringing in the northern part of Norway on the picturesque shores of Hamarøy in Nordland. Being from a poor family, the beauty of nature was one of few riches which Hamsun could effortlessly enjoy.
In his early career Hamsun travelled extensively in Norway working with a multitude of crafts and trades. He also spent several years in the United States where he worked in occupations like farm worker and conductor before finally returning to Norway.
Hunger (Sult) which was published in 1890 was Hamsun’s breakthrough as a writer and propelled him onto the literary stage as a respected novelist. Hunger depicts a young author who, as a result of hunger and poverty, lives on the edge of madness in the Norwegian capital, then known as Christiania.
Hamsun’s most celebrated work is Growth of the Soil (Markens Grøde) from 1917 which resulted in him winning the Nobel Prize in literature. It is this novel which made him the literary world heavyweight that he is. In this epic story the reader becomes acquainted with a man settling in the wild, the steady progress of his homestead and the way in which his life is guided and controlled by man’s basic needs. The novel is truly a tribute to nature.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bucharest and the Babeş-Bolyai University in Cluj are organising a joint cultural event in Cluj on the 27 and the 28th October to celebrate Knut Hamsun and his works. The University, as the largest place of study in Romania where students have the possibility to study Norwegian on a bachelor’s level, feels as a natural place to celebrate Hamsun here in Romania. That is why it is a great pleasure to host this event in Cluj.
There will be a poster exhibition, a mini-film festival on Hamsun’s novels, and interesting lectures conducted by specialists on Knut Hamsun. Among the Norwegian and Romanian lectures one will find:
* Nils Magne Knutsen, associate professor at the University in Tromsø and expert on Hamsun’s authorship.
* Jan Erik Holst from the Norwegian Film Institute will approach Hamsun’s writings portrayed on the movie screen.
* Sanda Tomescu Baciu, professor at the University in Cluj will speak about Hamsun in Romanian translations.
Norwegians in Romania, in the business group NORTEAM and anyone having interest are welcome to participate.
