The Nordic Music Festivals: 1888–1938

Extract

Geographically, historically, linguistically and culturally the three Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, are closely connected with each other. The connexion was once closer than it is to-day; the course of history has deepened the gulfs between the Nordic peoples and the haughtiness of growing national arrogance promoted separatism. In the last hundred years however, efforts have been made to unite again what time had separated. The so-called “Scandinavism” arose among the university men, but gradually it spread to other circles in the three peoples. The Nordic Music Festivals were part of these endeavours towards common activity.