Literary Saturday: Knut Hamsun v. Klaus Rothstein

Knut Hamsun is considered one of the Nordic region's greatest writers and received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920. During cramped conditions in Copenhagen, he lived in an attic in Sankt Hans Gade, where, in deep poverty, he began to write the first groundbreaking chapters for his breakthrough work Sult.

With works such as Pan and Victoria, he revolutionised the modern novel with its psychological depth, its intense depictions of nature, and the depiction of the divisiveness of modern man.

However, his complex and dramatic life path also contains a dark side, with highly controversial political sympathies for Nazism during World War II, which after the war led to a sensational trial for treason. He himself put the literary end to this course of life in his last book, the memoir På rodde stier in 1949.

Klaus Rothstein is our guide as we delve into the life and writing of Knut Hamsun. Do not miss the opportunity to learn more about one of the great and contradictory giants of Norwegian literature.

About Klaus Rothstein:Klaus Rothstein is a literary critic at Weekendavisen, author of essay collections at the intersection of literature, politics and society, and an experienced mediator. He works extensively with the history of literature — including through events at the Royal Library — and has a long background as an organiser and host of literary radio programmes and podcasts.

The ticket costs 75 DKK and in addition to the literary gold grains there will be coffee and pastry cake.

NB. Tickets are non-refundable unless the conditions of the event change.