Today, March 16, Kvenfolkets dag is celebrated in Norway. Ethnic minorities in Norway
Not only the Sami but also other ethnic minorities
Norway is widely believed to be an example of an ethnically homogeneous state. However, and here you can meet the so-called the original examples are the Sami and several other minorities. One such minority in Norway are the Kvens.
This day means a common history, a common culture
- Kvenfolkets dag was established in 2014 and it's good to see more and more people celebrating this day in the towns and villages where the Kvens live. This day means a shared history, a shared culture and the Kven and Norwegian-Finnish community, says District and Digitization Minister Linda Hofstad Helleland.
- Norwegian policy, to which the Kvens / Norwegian Finns were exposed, led to a threat to the language and culture of the Kvens. Many of them have struggled to preserve their culture and language for future generations, and I want to thank you for that. This is Helleland, Norway's minister for national minorities.
Many young Kvens / Norwegian Finns want to show theirs identity
Kven / Norwegian-Finnish enthusiast efforts are paying off. Today, more and more people are returning to the Kven culture and language. Many young Kvens / Norwegian Finns are committed and willing to show their identity.
The government supports work on the Kven language
The government has placed an emphasis on strengthening work on the Kven language by introducing the right to study. Kven in Troms and Finnmark Primary and Secondary Schools and supporting the establishment of Kven as a separate subject in teacher education at the University of Tromsø. Grants have also been awarded to projects in kindergartens and to the creation of Kven language centers, which make a significant contribution to local communities in terms of the Kven language and culture.
- The government will continue to work to strengthen the Kven language and the Kven and Norwegian-Finnish cultures. Have a nice day everyone, says Helleland.
