Matkin at the Research Fair

Who will inherit the hytte? What values are linked to the hytte? We discussed key questions on hytter and value at the Oslo Research Fair in September.

Freshly cooked waffles and cups of coffee drew many visitors to the Matkin stall. Professor Marianne Lien chats to one of the many interested visitors. All photos: Gro Strømsheim

Freshly baked waffles and cups of coffee drew many visitors to the Matkin stall. Professor Marianne Lien chats to one of the many interested visitors. All photos: Gro Strømsheim

Oslo Research Fair is held annually in the centre of Oslo. Researchers set up stalls outside the University to tell people about their research and give a flavour of the wide range of topics that researchers work on. On 22nd and 23rd September, Oslo’s University Square was converted into a market-place where University and College researchers could meet the public and discuss their research. The theme for this year’s fair was ‘Values’.

Mange barn satt seg ned og tegnet sin drømmehytte.
Many children wanted to draw their dream "hytte".
Hyttebok
"Hyttebok": found in every hytte in Norway.

What happens to the family memories if the cabin is sold?

How to deal With the questions of inhertance?

How does Anthropology have to say about "hytter"?

These were some of the questions that made the visitors think and discuss.  

Marianne Lien, UiO-rektor Svein Stølen og stipendiat Ståle Wig
The stall was visited by Rector at UiO, Svein Stølen, here with Marianne Lien and Doctoral Research Fellow Ståle Wig.

Visitors were very keen to discuss their own hytte-stories, and many of them made themselves comfortable in the easy chairs to chat about hytter, whether that’s as a happy meeting point for the family, or the focus of conflict and arguments between relatives.

Hytter don’t just carry economic value, but emotional values through memories, family and belonging somewhere.

We may be biased, but we think our stall was the best: we offered coffee and waffles, visitor books, comfy chairs and wonderful views! Imagine coming to the hytte – in the middle of Oslo.

Skoleelever ville vite mer om antropologi og stipendiat Ola fortalte om vårt spennende studie.
School students wanted to know more about anthropology, and PhD student Ola Gunhildrud Berta told them about our exciting discipline.
Professor Marianne Lien snakker til ungdom.
Professor Marianne Lien gave an impromptu talk to young students visiting the Research Fair.
By Anita Nordeide
Published Nov. 1, 2017 10:09 AM - Last modified Nov. 1, 2017 10:09 AM