Hamsun Centre opened

In 1920 Hamsun was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his novel “Growth of the Soil”.

Renowned and repudiated

In her opening remarks Crown Princess Mette-Marit noted that Hamsun has been called the father of modern literature, and at the same time touched on the writer’s complex history: “If you are looking for a message of peace and reconciliation, Knut Hamsun is not the writer to choose. His literary works are too intricate and ambiguous for that, and his political reputation too problematical,” the Crown Princess said.

150-year anniversary

Before the official opening the Crown Princess was given a guided tour of the Hamsun Centre by architect Steven Holl and Director Bodil Børset.

The opening of the Hamsun Centre is the third national commemorative event of the Hamsun anniversary year, Hamsun 2009. The fourth and final event will take place in Grimstad on 18 September. Hamsun lived the last 34 years of his life at his country estate, Nørholm, near Grimstad.