Last Spring, before returning from Norway, I got started on a book that I had intended to read for some time. It had come along with me from the States, though I could have just as easily purchased a copy in the original language while abroad. When he published Sophie’s World in 1994, Jostein Gaarder, a former philosophy teacher, was already an award-winning Norwegian author. Since then, his book has been translated into over fifty languages, become a New York Times Bestseller, and achieved the top spot on bestseller lists throughout Europe.
The book is subtitled “A Novel About the History of Philosophy.” Oddly enough, the story takes place in a small Norwegian town and centers around the philosophical escapades of a young teenager named Sophie, who begins to question the nature of her existence when she receives an anonymous letter posing two questions: “Who are you?” and “Where does the world come from?” While it is difficult for Sophie to decide which is more mysterious – the unidentified sender or the questions themselves – she soon finds herself attempting to answer the age-old questions of the universe with the help of a new philosophy teacher.
Sophie and her teacher begin in the Garden of Eden and continue through the Norse myths until they meet the great philosophers of ancient Greece: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Next comes the clash of Hellenism with the rapid rise and radical propositions of Christianity, followed by the Middle Ages, the Rennaissance, and the Baroque periods. As they enter the Enlightenment, Romanticism, and the modern era, Sophie’s lessons become directly focused on thinkers of the day like Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Hume, Berkeley, Kant, Hegel, Kierkrgaard, Marx, Darwin, Freud, Nietzsche, and Sartre.
While interacting with her philosophy teacher, Sophie also starts to receive a series of curious postcards addressed to a girl named Hilde, whose existence increasingly seems to mirror her own in some sort of parallel universe. As Sophie applies her lessons in philosophy, she closes in on the true identity, not only of Hilde, but also herself and the world in which she lives.
Because I am a slow reader, what initially deterred me from reading the book was it’s sheer size: five hundred pages that lasted me through most of the Summer. But because Gaarder takes the brilliant approach of telling his story through the mind of a young student, the broad progression of philosophical thought is presented in a way that makes it both entertaining and easy to follow. Granted, I appreciate the novel’s setting more than the average reader and concede that a more academic survey of philosophy may harmlessly omit specific Scandinavian influences. As this is the limit to Gaarder’s personal bias, however, he is to be applauded. One notable exception is his assumption of evolutionary theory in the final chapters, but this is not enough to detract from the utility of his book as an accessible reference manual of philosophical history. In fact, I have already revisited chapters of the book to recall a particular subject, and I look forward to rereading Sophie’s World in full.
Just because it was the right decision to stay in Moscow for the Winter doesn’t mean I’ll miss Norway any less. If I had decided to return to work at the resort for a third season, this is about the time I would be shopping for a ticket, packing up and moving back into my old apartment at Kvitfjell. Thanks to temperatures that have been consistently low enough for artificial snow production, the mountain opened its first slopes last weekend, and this week they received an early dose of fresh powder. (Check out the photos of Scott and Marius.) Today, Kvitfjell Hotel is opening their doors for the season, and they have just added to their website a commercial (click on “Video”) that I filmed for them last March and edited over the Summer.
In case that weren’t enough to make me heartsick, last night we invited three high school exchange students to dinner at the Big Haus: Leo from Holland, Yeliz from Turkey, and Adina from Kristiansand, Norway. Adina and Yeliz had walked by the Haus a couple of weeks ago and spotted my flag, which made them curious enough to approach the front door and introduce themselves. They returned last night, where over a bonfire I got to brush up on my Norwegian, and for the first time since moving to Moscow, Adina heard more of her own language than a stereotypical “Uff da!”
A lot of people ask me what Norway is like. I tell them it is beautiful. It tell them it is secluded. I tell them it is my favorite place on earth. I tell them it is not Sweden. With respect to the economic crisis, I tell them Norway has hardly felt it. I also concede that it is expensive. The cost of living is high, but so is the quality of life, as confirmed by this article passed along by my father.
Today – just over a year after my sisters spent ten days in Norway – I have uploaded the twelfth and final episode of Twidgets, a documentary of their trip. If this last installment doesn’t seem enough like a grand finale, then I will clue you into the fact that I am not exactly “done” with the project. Last year, I had hoped to have the series finished in time for Christmas. That obviously didn’t happen, but now I have enough time to play with the idea of releasing Twidgets on DVD this coming Christmas, complete with extra bonus material. Keep your fingers crossed. In the meantime, I am looping back around and starting to release the videos for public viewing. Until now, they have private for my contacts on Vimeo, but now you can feel free to pass along the links to anyone who might be interested in what the Hagen troublemakers have been up to. We’ll begin with part one, which can be found using the video widget to the left.
Following our Midwest vacation last month, my sister, Kristen, joined her boyfriend for a few days in Santa Cruz. Before they returned to Moscow, they were engaged to be married, and I couldn’t have been more pleased. Josh Davis is a great guy and an old friend of ours. In my humble opinion, they were meant to be. Last weekend, they gave me the honor of taking their engagement photos using Josh’s fancy Nikon D80. Since this was my first “shot” at legitimate photography, it is needless to say that I was a bit intimidated. Of course, with a couple this good-looking, it would have been a challenge to make them look bad. I have posted their favorites on Flickr and Facebook.
By the way, the latest TWO episodes of Twidgets are also up on Vimeo.
This Summer, I’ve been too busy filming to do much editing. That means I have several video projects in the works, but since this first week of August marks one year since my sisters visited Norway, I figure it’s about time I post another segment of Twidgets. Part five is now up for my Vimeo contacts, along with newly uploaded photos.
Since 1536, Norway and its territories (Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands) had been under Danish rule. During the Napoleonic War, in the Treaty of Kiel, Denmark was forced to surrender Norway to Swedish rule (while retaining sovereignty over the Norwegian territories). Then Danish viceroy of Norway, Prince Christian Frederik saw this as an opportunity for Norwegian independence and led an insurrection that resulted in the signing of a constitution on May 16, 1814. The following day, the constitutional convention elected Frederik king, and this day has been celebrated as Constitution Day ever since.
Sweden refused to acknowledge Norwegian independence, and following the signing of their constitution, a brief war broke out with invading Swedish forces. A cease-fire was implemented on August 14 at the Convention of Moss. Despite the popular longing for sovereignty, King Frederik recognized that the political climates in Norway and abroad were not yet ripe for an independent Norway. On October 10, Christian Fredrik abdicated his claim to the Norwegian throne. Ten days later, the new Norwegian parliament voted to enter into a personal union with Sweden, who agreed to honor an amended Norwegian constitution.
Throughout the remainder of the 1800’s, Norwegian and Swedish relations became strained. In particular, Norwegians felt as though their interests abroad were not adequately represented by the Swedish ministry. Shortly after the turn of the century, Prime Minister Christian Michelsen led a movement in the Norwegian parliament to establish its own consular offices abroad. When Sweden’s King Oscar II refused to honor the movement, a de facto declaration of Norwegian Independence was issued on June 7, 1905, now considered the date of total independence.
That Summer, war nearly broke out again as Norway and Sweden negotiated the dissolution of their union. Whereas the Norwegian independence movement lacked adequate support in 1814, the political climate had now shifted in Norway’s favor. On October 26, in the interest of maintaining friendly ties with its “brother country,” Oscar II recognized Norway’s independence and renounced any claim to the Norwegian throne. In November, Norwegians voted to retain a constitutional monarchy instead of forming a republic, and they popularly elected to offer Prince Carl of Denmark a mandate to the throne. Prince Carl accepted and changed his name to King Haakon VII, and his son Alexander was renamed to Crown Prince Olav. On November 27, 1905, Haakon VII was sworn in as the first modern king of an independent Norway.
Thirty-five years later, following the invasion of Nazi forces, King Haakon VII led the Norwegian resistance movement from his exile in London. Norway was freed on May 8, 1945, and while that date is now observed as flag day, liberation added that much more significance to the celebration of Constitution Day on May 17. King Haakon VII and the royal family returned to cheering crowds in Oslo on the symbolic date of June 7, 1945.
Shortly after its struggle for political sovereignty, Norway achieved economic independence with the discovery of large oil deposits in the North and Norwegian Seas. During the second half of the twentieth century, what had long been a poor fishing country was transformed into one of the world’s wealthiest. That fact is emphasized by the current economic recession, which has affected Norway perhaps least of all, thanks to its government’s frugality. Today, with their flag-waving parades of singing school children, Norwegians celebrate not only their independence, but a modest way of life and a bright future for the next generation.
We woke up on Friday to a rainy morning in Kristiansand. Karl Sigve and I made eggs and bacon for breakfast and hung out at the apartment, since he was afforded a half day off following his business trip to Oslo. Around eleven, Runar and Tina arrived with their kids (my third cousins) and better weather. We visited for a while before saying good-bye to Karl Sigve and setting course for the zoo!
Despite their excitement and anticipation, Ida Sofie and Tor Martin (and us big kids) were a bit apprehensive about how near we could get to some of the animals, even bursting into tears under a close encounter with a curious ostrich. Zooming in on those apes, though, will reveal that the ring-tailed lemurs didn’t have a care in the world. This one posed motionless until the zookeeper entered with a bucket of freshly chopped apples, carrots and cereal.
The Kristiansand zoo is the largest in Norway, and since it is not yet high season, we had only a few hours to spend there before they closed. Otherwise, we certainly would have visited the park’s “Cardamom City,” which I remembered from my family’s trip while living here fifteen years ago. This poster of the famous “Cardamom Law” still hangs in my parents’ home.
After navigating our way out of the zoo (which was not quite a walk in the park), we crossed to the other side of the highway for an early dinner in Sørlandsenteret, the sprawling shopping center that has attracted most of the city’s music shops. After having given up hope, Tina and Runar helped me finally get my hands on a copy of Medea.
We arrived home in Skien three hours later. Along the way, all flags were out in honor of the national holiday celebrating Norway’s liberation in 1945, and it seemed as though each was waving me a fond farewell. I am intrigued by churches wherever I go, and we drove past one that catches my eye every time I road trip to or from Kristiansand. Upon our arrival in Skien, we made a detour by another church that I last visited in 2001. On Flag Day, I ironically found myself walking past the headstone of Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian politician who was executed as a traitor on October 24, 1945.
As much as this churchyard might look like Ireland, I would not arrive here until the following day. Yesterday morning, I packed my bags and said good-bye to Runar and the kids as Tina carted me off to the airport to catch my flight to a new adventure in Dublin.
With less than one week until I am scheduled to arrive in Moscow, I am counting down the days. It will be an interesting journey home: I had anticipated being able to use this time in Kristiansand for planning my three days in Ireland, but due to various reasons – including a paycheck that is late in coming – I will be winging it once I arrive in Dublin. Besides, I have received such a warm welcome here that it is beginning to feel like home, and I have been connecting with new and old friends on a daily basis since I arrived. Picking up where I left off yesterday, here is a quick summary of my final week in Norway:
Sunday, May 3: Karl Sigve finally has a day off following a church conference, and we take a relaxed afternoon hike through the woods that border his neighborhood. We talk about life, family and the future and enjoy another incredible view over the city. At several points along the way, I am forced to pause just to take it in. It is beautiful here, and I am going to miss Norway. We make our way home in time for Karl Sigve to go prepare for the evening’s worship service, and I follow on foot a couple hours later. I have heard so much from him about his congregation, and now I finally have the opportunity to join them. I recognize several more faces from the camp last Summer, and I feel welcomed by the fact that many of them also recognize me. When we arrive home, Karl Sigve showcases his ability in the kitchen with a delectable lamb fillet dinner, and we pass the evening over another bottle of wine.
Monday, May 4: We are up early before Karl Sigve is back to the grind. He works for a small outfit that delivers and supports measurement and diagnostic tools for automobiles. You might remember that I had the chance to join him on the job a couple of years ago.
Karl Sigve on the job - November 15, 2007
Happy with the day's work
Karl Sigve invites me to join him and his colleagues for lunch. I make the fifteen minute walk to the office (the walk I made to church the day before, since they meet in the same office/shopping complex). I rendezvous with him and Henning at the store for their daily lunchtime ritual of grocery shopping, taste sampling, and chatting it up with baker Berit. We climb the stairs two stories to find Torbjørn, both boss and pastor, and the four of us make smalltalk over open face sandwiches, pastry and coffee. Before returning home to the apartment, I make another round in the grocery store and emerge with two rather heavy shopping bags and an unwieldy bouquet that was even more unmanageable thanks to the wind that hasn’t seemed to stop blowing since I got to Kristiansand. The flowers make it home in one piece, and after Karl Sigve gets home from work, we arrive fashionably late for Åshild’s early birthday BBQ, followed by Swedish jokes and coffee.
Tuesday, May 5: Apart from Karl Sigve’s circle, I think it is safe to say I know only one other person in Kristiansand, and I could not visit the city without meeting up with her. From my first day at Kvitfjell, Anette and I have had a special connection, and we spent many good times together during my first season on the mountain. Last year, however, she made the move to Kristiansand to study journalism, so I have missed having her around.
Tuesday, I take the bus into the center for the first time since Karl Sigve picked me up at the train station. Anette finds me shortly after, and we take a walk to the fish market, past some of her local hangouts, and eventually to Herlig Land for a bite to eat (which, coincidentally, is the last restaurant I dined at with Karl Sigve during my Christmas visit in 2007). We enjoy catching up over lunch, then go on an unsuccessful hunt for a music store, all but one of which have apparently moved to a large shopping center outside of town. With better luck, I would have hoped to snag a copy of Medea, the sophomore album from Oslo’s Jenny Hval and her project, Rockettothesky. I first learned of her when Janne posted this mystical video for the single “Grizzly Man”:
Mr. Boklund picks me up and gives Anette a lift on our way to a tasty lasagna dinner with his wife, Ruth Silje, their two children, Noah Emil and Matilda, as well as the Feed sisters and Maria’s son, Jonatan. Between remote control helicopters and wind-up race cars, we follow up mealtime with coffee and Norway’s best shot at American chocolate chip cookies before Solvor and I join Henning on the way to his brother and sister-in-law’s home for house group. We sing, share and pray together (over coffee, of course) before I hitch a ride back to the apartment with Siv and her sister, Lisbeth.
Wednesday, May 6: Of all the travel decisions I have had to make, the hardest has been whether I would be able to swing a trip to Feda. Karl Sigve’s schedule has not allowed for it. In fact, this morning he is off to Oslo for an overnight business trip. Today, I break the news to Bjørn and Marit, who have always treated me like a son, that I will not be joining them at Håland, where they are busy with work on the farm. Marit expresses that they will forgive me this time, as long as I promise to return. I need no convincing. There are several reasons why I decide to skip what is probably my favorite place in Norway: despite the fact that I am now on “vacation,” the past month has been chock full of work, packing, planning and traveling. As relaxing as life is in Feda, I need a chance to simply catch my breath, so I spend my first full day alone at the apartment, except for a welcome visit from Åshild, who drops by for an evening stroll.
Today, Thursday, May 7: Karl Sigve returns from Oslo tonight. I sleep in for only the second time, thanks to the construction crew that has been drilling, sawing and hammering out a foundation for a new garden on the other side of my bedroom wall. (All bets are on that the finished flower bed will be more aesthetically pleasing than it sounds.) As much as I enjoy updating this blog, even simple updates like this one take me hours to write, so that is what I have done today. Tonight I plan to join the rest of the house group for coffee (!) downtown, and any extra time left in the day will be used for getting ready to leave Kristiansand.
Tomorrow, Friday, May 8: Tina and Runar will be in town for a trip to the zoo with Ida Sofie and Tor Martin. They have invited me to come along (which will only be in keeping with the theme of the past week) before accompanying them on the drive back to Skien for the night.
Saturday, May 9: The bittersweet day of my departure. If all goes according to plan, Tina will drive me to the airport on Saturday in time to hop an afternoon flight to Dublin. I will need a lot of prayer and a little bit of luck for things to work out there. Of course, they always seem to. Besides, it’s Ireland!
As my train approached Kristiansand a week ago, I got a text message from Åshild, roughly translated:
“Give me a ring when you make it South. I have an offer for you to join in a (free) experience! I can promise you high velocity and wonderful people. This Saturday.”
By the time Friday evening rolled around, I found myself riding shotgun with her to spend the night on her cousin’s farm near Mersland ahead of what would indeed be a top speed experience – namely, Rally Sørland – a round of the Norwegian Championships in rally car racing! Waking the next morning to a glorious chorus of mooing cattle, we joined in a patio gathering of early risers, where I was introduced to nearly half the population of Norway, including (amazingly enough) a few who were not related to Åshild. We spent the better part of the morning drinking the coffee pots dry, entertaining ourselves with an impromptu slackline session, and dodging scattered rain showers before the first of two laps kicked off shortly after eleven o’ clock.
We fired up the grill between laps, and when the last car crossed the finish line, we were not far behind on our way to (more) coffee with Uncle Trond and family, followed by an afternoon stroll along the river. They say trolls live in these parts, but what were we to do when we came across one of these just sitting there quietly on the forest floor? We picked it up, of course, played with it for a while, then taught it that as tolerant as a black kitty might be, it would much rather walk alongside you than be dragged backwards by the tail.
Our day was not over until we had greeted the ponies, listened to the flowers sing, and visited still more of Åshild’s incredibly welcoming friends in Vigeland (which might be recognized as the hometown of that famous sculptor). We stopped by a work in progress to see Vidar and Merete Haugen, who are expecting twins and a remodeled home. A few others joined us for – you guessed it – coffee and chocolate before the drive back to the city.
Through Karl Sigve, I have been blessed by dozens of believers in Kristiansand, though I might add it is uncanny how many infants I have cradled and how many toddlers I have entertained. Just last evening, while over at the Boklund’s for dinner, it struck me how long it has been since I shook someone’s hand, then helped them blow their nose. But I’m getting ahead of myself. There you have my update from Saturday. Plenty more to come. Now it’s time for me to check up on the view.
