Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion as we revisit the lecture originally presented by former President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson at the University of Warsaw, March 4. 2020 entitled "Defending Asgard, Independence and Human Rights. The Use of History in Current Affairs".
The former President himself will be present as we discuss how hate groups are claiming old Norse symbolism for their causes and using it as beacons of hate.
He will be joined by Johan Hegg, vocalist and lyricist of Amon Amarth, and Associate Professor in Archaeology Ben Raffield, with moderator Gunnar Sauermann.
Together, the panel will explore the cultural influence of Norse mythology in modern media and music through popularization and misinterpretation (e.g., Marvel films), in contrast to the responsibility to preserve historical integrity. They will address the dangerous appropriation of this heritage by extremist groups, and the crucial role of history in national identity, which creates the need to defend cultural heritage from distortion and misuse
Mod: Gunnar Sauermann // Metal Hammer (DE)
Guðni Th. Jóhannesson (IS)
Ben Raffield // University of Uppsala (SE)
Johan Hegg // Amon Amarth (SE)
Read more about the speakers here
