Denmark says yes to handing over medieval documents to Bergen – but only on loan
– The document with Bergen’s city seal is one of the documents that the Arnamagnæan Commission in Copenhagen is now positive to lend for exhibition use at the National Library, the Ministry of Culture informs NTB.
The imprint of the old city seal is from the year 1299. The motif on the stamp, which is printed in wax, is the forerunner of Bergen’s city coat of arms, and it therefore has great value for many Bergen residents.
For several hundred years, however, documents have been kept at the University of Copenhagen. Well, it can be lent to Norway, according to a letter sent by the University of Copenhagen to the Ministry of Culture.
Not satisfied
However, the letter states that manuscripts are only exceptionally lent for exhibition for more than 3–5 months. That tick means that national librarian Aslak Sira Myhre does not rejoice much over the answer.
– This is the usual way to lend, for a period of 3–5 months. We have asked to borrow eight documents from a collection to be included in a permanent exhibition at the National Library. We have not received an answer to that, he says to NTB.
The document with the city seal is part of the Arnamagnæan Collection in Copenhagen, a collection of Icelandic and Norwegian manuscripts from the Middle Ages.
Bergensers can take the opportunity
For the National Library’s part, it is not relevant with anything other than a long-term loan of the document.
– But if it is people in Bergen who would like to have this for an exhibition for a period, then I would recommend that they use the opportunity to contact the Arnamagnæan Collection directly. Now is the time for that, he says.
The National Librarian also makes it clear that if he ever gets the document for long-term lending, the plan is for the people of Bergen to get it “home” to Bergen.
– Well, we have to take a step back and start a process above the Arnamagnæan Collection and find out what is possible with long-term loans beyond 3-5 months, he says.
Great commitment
Several Norwegian politicians have become involved in the case around the historical document. SV leader Audun Lysbakken has for many years fought to get it back to Bergen. Earlier this year, the then Minister of Culture Abid Raja (V) also sent a letter to his Danish colleague about the case, which has now resulted in the last response from Copenhagen.
No later than Wednesday this week, Storting representative Helge André Njåstad (Frp) took up the matter orally with the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during the Nordic Council’s session in Copenhagen.
Frederiksen failed to answer the question, which was also about the rare Sami drum that the Sami Parliament has asked Denmark to transfer ownership of.
– I must be honest to say that I do not have much competence in assessing a Sami drum. I assume that it is a dialogue on that issue, said Frederiksen, without mentioning the city seal.