Agreement signed to return ancient manuscripts to Iceland from Denmark

An agreement has been signed to bring ancient Icelandic manuscripts back to Iceland for research and exhibitions over the coming years. Among these are manuscripts that have not been in the country for more than 300 years.

The declaration was signed by the Minister of Culture and Business, Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, in Copenhagen today, focusing on the importance of the Árni Magnússon manuscript collection. Alfreðsdóttir emphasized the significance of this agreement, highlighting a substantial increase in cooperation between Iceland and Denmark.

“We are obtaining more manuscripts for research and display, ensuring that this heritage is digitized. We are also enhancing collaboration with the Árni Magnússon Institute here and at home. We now have excellent facilities for preserving the manuscripts and plan to continue working with Danish authorities. This is the first step toward a deeper exploration of our cultural heritage,” she stated.

Alfreðsdóttir noted that this declaration marks a milestone, not only increasing scholars’ access to the manuscripts but also potentially allowing some of them to return permanently to Iceland. She mentioned that certain manuscripts would be offered on long-term loan, along with other exchanges and arrangements.

“What is particularly gratifying and a milestone today is that we are moving forward with this. The global trend is that cultural values are increasingly being returned to the countries that created them,” she added.