Human-Ethical Association | Diverse cultural heritage has shaped Norway
– History helps to reach the present, and there is a lot of talk and writing about “Norway’s Christian cultural heritage”, as if this was the only cultural heritage we have from the last thousand years.
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But also other kinds of cultural heritage have left their mark on the development from the battle of Stiklestad to today’s Norway. Therefore, it is correct to mention the cultural heritage in the plural, not the singular.
Cultural heritage consists of both new and old cultural monuments, of food, music and art, of literature, dance and crafts, of language, social customs, traditions and objects of use. The term covers both material and intangible culture, and points to what has been important to people in the country over time.
The Christian cultural heritage
The Christian cultural heritage has been challenged in central Norway, but is far from the only one that has helped shape Norwegian society.
The cultural heritage is influenced by, among other things, cultural life and art, by trade unions and volunteering. Perhaps some of the cultural heritage in Norway affects us so much that we forget to think about it?
The cultural heritage of the labor movement shows the importance of organization and solidarity. The social-liberal cultural heritage emphasizes that the individual is not only an independent being, but is also dependent on belonging to a society or a social community. The cultural heritage of the women’s movement emphasizes the benefits of equality.
The gay liberation struggle
The cultural heritage of the gay liberation struggle is important in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live as they are. The cultural heritage of the free thinkers has taught Norwegians to challenge authorities and encourage critical and scientific thinking to solve society’s problems. And the Christian cultural heritage has been important for the development of secularism, conscience and ideas of moral equality.
For many people, the intangible heritage is a source of identity, rooted in history. Philosophy, values and ways of thinking are passed on between generations, including through traditions.
For 70 years, the Human-Ethical Association’s offer of courses and ceremonies in connection with confirmation has become an activity with more and more participants.
With 13,000 annual confirmants, Humanistic Confirmation is today a highly living tradition, which is both based on old customs, new times and at the same time incorporates the youth’s commitment to society.
Culture is influenced by society
Culture is constantly changing, and it is influenced by society: by migration, technological innovation, global trends, socio-economic conditions and external influences.
When society changes, culture will change, and what is considered cultural heritage stands in and constant tension between the old and the new.
This ongoing development reflects the diversity of the Norwegian language, just as it should and should be.
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