Alstahaug. Ill. K.E.Harr
Ill. H.G. Sørensen
Ill. T. Holmboe
Fishermen. Ill. K.E.Harr
(1647 - 1707)
Petter Dass was the vicar of Alstadhaug, in Nordland, and Norway's greatest 17th-century writer. He composed hymns and poetry, but only a small thin book, containing some of his works, was printed in his lifetime. His most renowned work was The Trumpet of Nordland. Printed as late as 1739, this is a depiction of northern Norway and Petter Dass's way of paying homage to this part of the country. He praises the people and their way of life. All of the pursuits and regions that he loved are written about in this manuscript. And everything is looked upon as God's work of creation.
All are greeted in his introduction:
I greet you, my Nordland's inhabitants, friends,
His enthusiasm, however, is not quite the same when it comes to the weather:
If you should inquire of the climate and sky,
The fish in the sea are praised:
The fish in the water our livelihood is;
And, even here at the edge of the world, nature is bountiful:
It seems that, far out on the edge of the earth,
His parting is similar in fashion:
A thousand farewells, and my thanks for the walk!
© University Library of Tromsø - 1999.
The Northern Lights Route is part of The Council of Europe Cultural Routes. The Cultural Routes are an invitation to Europeans to wander the paths and explore the places where the unity and diversity of our European identity were forged.