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The Narcissism of Small Differences

Misha Glenny explores the history of Norway, which only became fully independent in 1905.

This is the story of how Norway threw off its patronising title of 'little brother' and emerged as the richest Scandinavian nation of all.

In 1814 - just as Napoleon's rampage across Europe was drawing to a close - Sweden took control of Norway. They did this with the permission of the other great powers. Norway did not became a free and sovereign nation until 1905, and during that century they continued to produce timber and fish. But they also produced Ibsen, Grieg and Munch, who painted The Scream; plus Nansen and Amundsen, who beat the British to the South Pole.

With contributions from Thomas Hylland Eriksen and Linn Ullman in Oslo, plus Erica Wagner, Dorthe Nors and Jacob Stougaard-Nielsen of UCL.

The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde

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28 minutes

Last on

Mon 30 Nov 2020 21:00

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Broadcasts

  • Tue 24 Nov 2020 11:00
  • Mon 30 Nov 2020 21:00