Norway starts school for Vikings
03 Aug 2015
A Norwegian further education college is starting a programme for want-to-be
Vikings where students will learn essential Viking crafts, such as sword
forging, jewelry making, and roof thatching.
During the course at Seljord Folkehøgskule 150km west of Oslo, students --
many inspired by TV series such as ‘Game of Thrones’ -- will celebrate even
celebrate the Norse rituals of the year, going so far as to make animal
sacrifices during the winter feast.
“We see a large number of applicants who have applied for different
reasons," the school's principal, Arve Husby, told Norwegian broadcaster
NRK. "Some have become interested through TV series and others want to learn
handicraft. We give a high quality education, and if TV series get people
interested, we are happy,”
Public interest in all things Viking has increased in recent years due to TV
dramas such as ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Vikings’.
The school's leading Viking teacher is Jeppe Nordmann Garly, a Dane who
describes himself as a "recreational Viking”, having spent much of his life
trying to get as close as possible to the Viking experience.
"You could say that I am the first Viking teacher,” said Normann Garly, who
professes to enjoying Viking-themed TV dramas. "Personally I prefer Game of
Thrones. Vikings has too many factual errors.
Students at the school will also have the opportunity to row Viking ships,
learn ceramics and woodworks.
People in England should be warned: the students from Norway’s Viking school
are planning a trip to York, or 'Jorvik', as the Vikings called it.
http://www.thelocal.no/20150803/norway-starts-school-for-vikings