Dear all,
What looks like two research articles below are in fact one, published concurrently but separately in Norwegian and English, and they present a well conducted analysis and well argued critique of the Norwegian self image in relation to nature as it is expressed in the concept of friluftsliv. The Norwegian author, André Horgen, does not share that self image. In fact, he claims, for the academic field of outdoor recreation – particularly studies of Norwegian friluftsliv in higher education – to be taken seriously within the broader academic community, it must confront the blind spots and biases perpetuated by what he terms “Norwayism” in his essay.
What looks like two research articles below are in fact one, published concurrently but separately in Norwegian and English, and they present a well conducted analysis and well argued critique of the Norwegian self image in relation to nature as it is expressed in the concept of friluftsliv. The Norwegian author, André Horgen, does not share that self image. In fact, he claims, for the academic field of outdoor recreation – particularly studies of Norwegian friluftsliv in higher education – to be taken seriously within the broader academic community, it must confront the blind spots and biases perpetuated by what he terms “Norwayism” in his essay.Last week the following items were published on idrottsforum.org (see below; language and publication dates, YYMMDD, in brackets). Click on the red headings to go to content. Utilize the Google Translate service to turn Scandinavian language pages into (some sort of) English.
And remember, if you’re not already hooked up to one of the social media outlets that we utilize, for now they are Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn and X, you’re missing quite a lot of information from idrottsforum.org that never appears on the website. So, if that is the case, check out, by clicking on the names, our Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn and X accounts.
Have a great week,
Kjell Eriksson
Editor
Research Articles
«Norgisme» – et feilslått ideologisk rammeverk for å forstå norsk friluftsliv
Dette vitenskapelige essayet av André Horgen har til hensikt å skape debatt blant akademikere innenfor friluftslivsfeltet, nasjonalt og internasjonalt. Til tross for at mange vil nikke anerkjennende til at norsk friluftsliv har et mangfold av praksiser, motiver og mening, er det fremdeles i «friluftslivsakademia» en nokså snever, essensialistisk og stereotypisk forståelse av friluftsliv som ser ut til å råde grunnen. (Published in Norwegian 260310.
“Norwayism” – a failed ideological framework for understanding Norwegian friluftsliv
André Horgen’s scientific essay seeks to spark debate among academics in the field of outdoor recreation, both in Norway and internationally. While many acknowledge the diversity of practices, motivations, and meanings associated with Norwegian friluftsliv (outdoor recreation), the academic discourse surrounding it remains surprisingly narrow, essentialist, and stereotypical. Dominant interpretations often portray Norwegian friluftsliv as simple and nature-friendly outdoor travel, rooted in a uniquely Norwegian spiritual and profound connection with nature. (Published in English 260310.
Book Reviews
A singularly entertaining and wonderfully complex historical study of women in water
In Swimming Pretty: The Untold Story of Women in Water (Liveright Publishing), Vicki Valosik traces two millennia of women and swimming, and a century of aquatic performance, from vaudeville to the Olympic arena, and brings to life the colorful cast of characters whose “pretty swimming” not only laid the groundwork for an altogether new sport but forever changed women’s relationships with water. In her thorough and readable review, Katarina Tornborg is impressed and enthused by Valosik’s well-written history of women’s emancipation and empowerment in the world of water sports. (Review in English, published 260311.)
Detailed and useful study of Olympic Villages, albeit with several shortcomings
In his book Olympic Villages and Urban Development: Analysis of Spatial Models and Geographic Transformations (Peter Lang), Valerio della Sala proposes an innovative analysis of Olympic urban planning in general, and of Olympic Villages in particular, which aims to consolidate the field of study that Olympic urban planning represents. Our sport geography expert Karin Book offers both praise and criticism of the book, which has laudable ambitions in relating Olympic villages to urban development in general, but lamentable flaws in applying theory to the empirical analyses, and in the presentation of the study throughout the book. (Review in English, published 260313.)
News items (calls for papers, vacancies, etc.)
- Call for Papers | “A People’s History of Sport in Canada”, Special Issue of Journal of Canadian Studies | Call ends March 30, 2026 (260312)
