About Norway

Situated far from centres of culture such as Florence, Rome and Paris, Norway has often been isolated from major European cultural trends and developments. Yet a strong culture was flourishing here from at least the ninth century.

Findings from burial sites indicate that the Vikings were great shipbuilders with a strongly-developed artistic tradition represented in crafts, wood carving and jewellery. Significantly, these skills were also passed on to those parts of Europe which they occupied. The beautifully-decorated stave churches built after Christianity was introduced into Norway also underscore the artistic abilities of the Norwegian people.

In recent decades the Norwegian cultural sector has prospered and a number of literary and performing artists – particularly in the fields of contemporary dance, fine arts and music – have won international acclaim for their work. It is hoped that in the future their achievements will be recognised alongside the more high-profile activities of Norway’s scientists and adventurers who have hitherto been responsible for putting Norway on the world map.

Historically, Norway's art scene has been buoyant, vibrant and well-supported, its artists open-minded and willing to take risks with relatively unknown or emergent art genres.

(Content from: www.culturalprofiles.org.uk/norway and Google)