Future Library – how we plan for the next 100 years | Anne Beate Hovind | ENG + SWE SUBS

Summary

Anne Beate Hovind discusses the Future Library of Norway, a project symbolizing hope for the next century. The library will house manuscripts from authors like Margaret Atwood, to be read in 2114. Hovind emphasizes the importance of engaging artists in societal transformations and fostering a sense of timefulness, trust, and commitment to future generations. The project resonates globally, highlighting Nordic values of nature, culture, and long-term thinking.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The Future Library of Norway is a hopeful project that envisions a future where people will still read and forests will still grow.
• 🎨 Art and artists play a crucial role in imagining and shaping the future, especially in public spaces.
• 📚 The Future Library involves planting trees and inviting authors to write texts that will remain unread and unpublished until 2114.
• 🌱 The project has a strong connection to nature, with authors contributing to it by visiting a forest and participating in a ritual.
• 🌟 The tenth author to contribute to the Future Library is Valeria Luiselli, emphasizing the link between optimism and the ability to imagine a future.
• 🌐 The project resonates globally, attracting visitors and attention without a communication budget or PR strategy.
• 🔗 Art has the power to connect us to our senses and make the world 'felt', which is essential for Futures Literacy.
• 🏛️ The Future Library's room in the Deichman Bjørvika library has become a sacred space, a cathedral for manuscripts.
• 🌍 The project is an example of 'cathedral thinking', involving cross-generational efforts and long-term commitment.
• ⏳ The concept of 'timefulness' is central to the project, encouraging us to consider our actions in the context of deep time and future generations.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Future Library of Norway project?

The Future Library of Norway is significant because it embodies hope for the future. It is a project that involves planting a forest and creating a library where authors write texts that will not be read until 2114, symbolizing the continuity of culture and the human desire to read and connect with future generations.

How does Anne Beate Hovind describe her experience working on the Bjørvika area in Oslo?

Anne Beate Hovind has been involved in the development of the Bjørvika area for seven years, starting with a bottom-up approach and later moving to a top-down perspective through her work in the construction industry. She has experience in building a hospital, contributing to the Oslo Airport, and serving on its board.

What role does art play in the transformation projects Anne Beate Hovind is involved with?

Art plays a crucial role in transformation projects by engaging the senses, body, and mind, and making the world 'felt'. Artists are valued for their intuitive understanding of what people are interested in before it becomes apparent to others, and they are encouraged to think freely about the kind of art that is relevant to future public spaces.

Who is Katie Paterson and what is her connection to the Future Library project?

Katie Paterson is the artist behind the Future Library project. She was invited to Oslo to contribute her ideas for the project's development and came up with the concept of planting a thousand new trees and creating a room in the new library where authors' manuscripts will be stored until 2114.

What is the concept behind the manuscripts written for the Future Library?

The concept behind the manuscripts written for the Future Library is that they are to be placed in a room in the new library in Bjørvika, unread and unpublished, until the year 2114. Each year, a new manuscript is added to the collection, symbolizing a commitment to future generations and the continuity of thought and culture.

How does the Future Library project resonate with people around the world?

The Future Library project resonates with people around the world because it represents hope, trust in future generations, and the value of long-term thinking. It is a project that is open, accessible, and free, much like libraries themselves, and it has become a 'bucket list' destination for tourists.

What is the importance of rituals in the context of the Future Library project?

Rituals are important in the context of the Future Library project as they create a sense of connection and continuity. Authors participate in a ritual of delivering their manuscripts to the forest, which is a simple yet powerful act that reinforces the project's message of hope and trust in the future.

Why did Anne Beate Hovind decide not to take over the family farm?

Anne Beate Hovind decided not to take over the family farm for various reasons, which she does not elaborate on in the script. However, she mentions that she has not regretted her decision, and the farm is no longer in the family.

What does Anne Beate Hovind mean by 'timefulness' and 'being a good ancestor'?

By 'timefulness', Anne Beate Hovind refers to the concept of expanding our understanding of time to make decisions that consider the impact on future generations. 'Being a good ancestor' implies taking responsibility for initiating and maintaining projects that will benefit those who come after us, reflecting a commitment to long-term thinking and intergenerational equity.

How does the Future Library project relate to the Seed Vault in Svalbard?

The Future Library project relates to the Seed Vault in Svalbard in that both initiatives are about preserving for the future and the ability to imagine a future. They share a common theme of long-term thinking and the importance of continuity and legacy, ensuring that knowledge and resources are available for future generations.

What is the significance of the annual ceremony in Oslo on May 26th?

The annual ceremony in Oslo on May 26th is significant as it marks the ongoing commitment to the Future Library project. It is an event that brings together authors, participants, and the public to celebrate the project's mission and to honor the authors who have contributed manuscripts for future generations.