Ibsen, Scandinavia, and the Making of a World Drama: A Book At Lunchtime

Henrik Ibsen's drama is the most prominent and lasting contribution
of the cultural surge seen in Scandinavian literature in the later
nineteenth century. When he made his debut in Norway in 1850, the
nation's literary presence was negligible, yet by 1890 Ibsen had
become one of Europe's most famous authors. Contrary to the
standard narrative of his move from restrictive provincial origins
to liberating European exile, Narve Fulsas and Tore Rem show how
Ibsen's trajectory was preconditioned on his continued embeddedness
in Scandinavian society and culture, and that he experienced great
success in his home markets. This volume traces how Ibsen's works
first travelled outside Scandinavia and studies the mechanisms of
his appropriation in Germany, Britain and France. Engaging with
theories of book dissemination and world literature, and
re-assessing the emergence of 'peripheral' literary nations, this
book provides new perspectives on the work of this major figure of
European literature and theatre. Narve and Tore will be joined an
expert panel to discuss the book and its themes, Professor Kirsten
Shepherd-Barr (St Catherine's, Oxford), Professor Julia Mannherz
(Oriel, Oxford) Chaired by Professor Peter McDonald (St Hugh's,
Oxford).