Lecture tour in Ofoten
Published 12 October 2026
The museums and libraries in Ballangen, Kjøpsvik and Narvik invite you to a lecture tour with Arne Håkon Thomassen from the Sami Parliament!
23 July 2026
This summer, we have had the pleasure of receiving a visit from NRK’s Travel Radio and reporter Kaja Figenschou. On her journey through Lofoten, she has shared glimpses of the region’s coastal culture, nature, and history with listeners across the country. And along the way, she checked in from several of Museum Nord’s facilities. It gave a great insight into the diverse dissemination work that takes place with us.
Football-dividing seals and the love song of the sea
On July 7th, the trip went to the new SKREI. At SKREI, you can follow the migrating cod, the skrei, and experience how Norway’s most important fish has shaped Lofoten and the great importance it has had for Norway.
At the Lofoten Aquarium, listeners got to meet aquaculture technician Ida Schjølberg and our seals. For the occasion, the seal Molly took on the task of predicting the result ahead of the men’s national team’s quarter-finals in the World Cup. Throughout the World Cup, the seals and otters have predicted what the outcome would be for Norway, much to the delight of many of our viewers on social media.
Screenshots from Lofoten Aquarium’s Instagram. It is not the first time the seals have predicted a result during the World Championships.
The travel radio also visited our new main hall, The Otolith, and the exhibition “With the Sea”. Here, Communications and Marketing Manager at SKREI, Barbra Grøgaard and Communications Manager in Museum Nord, Hege Anita Eilertsen, talked about the new museum and the experiences that await there. One of the more fascinating topics was the biology of cod. Among other things, the listeners heard about the distinctive drum sound the cod makes with its stomach to attract a mate. Such details help to give us all a deeper understanding of the complex life below the sea surface.
Living Viking history at Borg
A few days later, on July 11th, it was Lofotr Viking Museum‘s turn. The museum conveys a large and exciting history related to the chieftain’s seat at Borg. Among other things, the world’s longest longhouse from the Viking Age has been uncovered here. The longhouse, which we like to refer to as “the chieftain’s house”, has been reconstructed in full size. Stepping into the house is like traveling 1000 years back in time.
NRK’s reporter started the day fresh on the water with a rowing trip in the Viking ship Vargfotr. Together with 11 committed Vikings from the museum and Lofoten Vikinglag, they marked the so-called RO phenomenon during the World Cup. Reporter Kaja also had a chat with the Captain at the museum, Kim-Are Bottolfsen. He told us about the Viking ship and that guests at the museum can actually row (and sail) a Viking ship. It is very popular with guests, and for the museum it is important to keep experience-based knowledge alive.
We take this opportunity to thank Lofoten Vikinglag who rowed as hard as they could for NRK! We sincerely thank you for your cooperation both this time and in general. It is important for the museum that through such relationships we can contribute to keeping history alive – also outside the museum.
After the rowing trip, the journey went up to the reconstructed Chieftain’s House. Here Figenschou met one of the guides at the museum, Christian Stubø. He shared his knowledge of the museum’s history and told about traditional, Viking-inspired crafts and wood carving. One of the museum’s craftsmen demonstrates various forms of woodwork.
Head of Communications at Museum Nord, Hege Anita Eilertsen, talked about how important it is for the museum to take care of, and not least communicate, these practical skills. It is a central part of the museum’s work to connect the past and the present. The guests also greatly appreciate the feeling of “time travel” and understanding of the Viking Age they gain through seeing, hearing and participating in various activities.
We really appreciate that Kaja and NRK Reiseradio stopped by. Thank you for visiting, and for giving us the opportunity to share our unique “sound of summer” with the rest of Norway.
