IASA-BAAC 2026 Conference

Name: How to Preserve and Work with Minority Archives in Nordland, Norway
Start: 2026-10-22T15:30:00+0300
End: 2026-10-22T16:00:00+0300

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How to Preserve and Work with Minority Archives in Nordland, Norway

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm EEST

Events hall: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania: Great Hall

We propose an approximately 18-minute presentation by Ketil Jensen from Arkiv i Nordland at the upcoming conference, focusing on two significant areas of work: the “Skeiv i Nordland – Queer in Nordland, a northern region of Norway” project and the documentation of the history of immigrants who have settled in Nordland.

In his talk, Ketil Jensen, who leads the regional archive institution in Nordland and is also a board member of the Norwegian Association of Archives (Arkivforbundet), will first present the objectives, methods, and outcomes of the “Skeiv i Nordland” initiative. This project has played a crucial role in collecting, preserving, and sharing the stories and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community in the Nordland region. Jensen will discuss the challenges encountered during the project, including the importance of building trust and establishing access with the communities involved. He will also describe how Arkiv i Nordland has taken part in relevant meeting places and community arenas, for example through presence and dialogue during Pride, creating safer entry points for collecting stories and archival material. He will also highlight how meaningful it has been for many that their lives have been documented and that they have had the opportunity to tell their own stories in an archival context.

The second part of the presentation will explore the work done to document the lives and histories of immigrants from non-Western parts of the world who have moved to Nordland. Both projects have used similar methods, including outreach, trust-building, and audiovisual documentation such as recorded interviews, in order to preserve stories that might otherwise be absent from the archival record. Jensen will share insights into the archival process, highlight notable stories, and reflect on how these narratives contribute to a broader understanding of Nordland’s evolving identity. A key point is that this work is not only about the past; it is first and foremost about collecting stories for people living today, supporting recognition, belonging, and representation in the present. He will also address how trust-building and long-term relationship work can be essential to gain access and ensure that people feel safe sharing their experiences. The presentation will also highlight practical and ethical approaches to documenting underrepresented communities through trust-building, outreach, and long-term relationship work. It will also touch on the ways in which these projects foster inclusion and diversity within the local community.

This session offers valuable perspectives on regional history, diversity, and the significance of inclusive archival practices in documenting underrepresented communities. We look forward to the opportunity for Ketil Jensen to share Arkiv i Nordland’s experiences and inspire further dialogue on these important topics.

Following Jensen’s presentation, Kjetil Landrog, Secretary General of the Norwegian Association of Archives, will comment on national initiatives related to multicultural, queer, and other underrepresented groups, including the Sámi population. This will be about 8 minutes. The session will then conclude with approximately 5 minutes for questions and discussion. 30 minutes in total.

Speakers

Ketil Jensen

CEO, Arkiv i Nordland & The Norwegian association of archives

Ketil Jensen is the head of Arkiv i Nordland, where he oversees the institution’s daily operations and its work with preserving, managing, and making accessible archival material in the Nordland region. He is also known for his involvement in cultural heritage projects, including... Read More →

Kjetil Landrog

Secretary General, The Norwegian Archive Association (Arkivforbundet)

Kjetil Landrog is the Secretary General of The Norwegian Archive Association (Arkivforbundet), a role he has held since 2017. He brings extensive experience from politics, public administration, and strategic communication, including elected positions at both local and regional levels... Read More →

Thursday October 22, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm EEST
Events hall: Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania: Great Hall

Short Presentation, In Person

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IASA-BAAC 2026 Conference

Ketil Jensen

Kjetil Landrog

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IASA-BAAC 2026 Conference

Ketil Jensen

Kjetil Landrog

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