Free and open for all. Limited capacity, sign up required. The lecture will be held in Norwegian.

Tvedt is a leading scholar on the impact of water on both contemporary and historical societies. Tvedt’s work has often reflected on specific instances of the relationship between water and society. In this lecture, he will, however, offer a narrative about the role of water in the development of human civilizations, providing context and a framework for understanding and relating to the Between Rivers exhibition. The lecture will emphasize the significance of this theme and how humanity’s relationship with water and rivers represents one of the few truly profound and universal connections in human history. The goal is to open new interpretations based on Tvedt’s extensive knowledge of the subject.

Terje Tvedt is a professor, author and documentary filmmaker (his films about the history of water have been shown all over the world, including purchased by Netflix and TV channels such as National Geographic, Discovery and Al Jazeera). He is the series editor of the nine-volume work A History of Water (London; IB Tauris, 2004-2016), and has written a long series of books about the role of water in world history, including Water and Society. Changing Perceptions on Historical and Societal Development (London; Bloomsbury 2016), Journey in the Future of Water and The Nile. The River of History or The Nile. History’s Greatest River (London: Bloomsbury 2020) which has been translated into a wide range of languages, including Arabic and Chinese. His latest book presented a new explanation for the emergence of the modern world: The Wheel of History and the Power of Water. When England and Europe Won and China and the USA Lost (Oslo: Dreyers 2023).

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