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History
 In
the middle of the 90s the PR Society for Nordic Libraries, a group of
librarians in the Nordic countries, wanted to create a cultural
manifestation in the middle of the darkest period of the year, in
November. Together with the Norden Associations they planned an event for
November 1997.
And so began the story of the Nordic Library Week in 1997. That year was
announced as a Nordic Year, by the project NORDLIV (“Nordic Life”).
NORDLIV was organised by the Federation of the Norden Associations,
cooperation body of eight national Norden Associations. The topic for the
project NORDLIV was Nordic Identity – the history, culture and society.
Concept
The idea behind the week was then, and still is, to promote the mutual
Nordic culture references, and the Nordic literature especially. From the
very beginning the week has been opened with a special ceremony; the
electric lights are switched off, the candles are lit and the same text is
read out loud, at the same moment in all of the participating libraries.
The Swedish title of the week, Kura skymning, is referring to the twilight
time of the day, and the old ancient story-telling tradition; in the
twilight when it was too dark to keep on working, the people gathered
together and listened to stories.
Every year has had its own theme, which has been used as background when
looking for suitable texts. For the last six years there has been a text
chosen both for adults and children, who have started the library week
already on Monday morning.
Theme and texts 2008
The theme this year is “Kärlek till Norden” / “Love for the Nordic
countries”. It is about the relationship between the Nordic inhabitants
and the countries and nature they live in. The texts chosen for children
are among others by the Icelandic author Guđrún Helgadóttir. The text for
adults is written especially for the occasion by the famous Finnish author
Eeva Kilpi.
Material
All the participating libraries, schools and other organisations can order
material free of charge. The material consists of a poster, post cards,
catalogue of ideas to be used when arranging different events during the
week and an information leaflet telling about the background of the week,
which can be used for promoting the events in the local press. The
institutions that want to participate are asked to send information with
the institutions name, address and the information of how many posters and
cards are required. The contact addresses and telephone numbers are listed
below.
WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE 12th ANNUAL NORDIC LIBRARY WEEK!
Carl Liungman, Co-ordinator
The Federation of the Norden Associations/
Foreningarna Nordens Forbund
Norra Vallgatan 16
S-211 25 Malmo
SWEDEN
Phone: +46 40 23 86 10
Fax: +46 40 23 84 10
Email: carl[at]norden.se
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