Scientific Conference on the Culture of Remembrance of Serbian Internees in Norway – “Among Friends”

At the “Among Friends” round table, held at the Embassy on 13 August 2026, distinguished Norwegian and Serbian researchers whose work has made a significant contribution to knowledge and public awareness of the suffering of our compatriots in occupied Norway during the Second World War exchanged their findings in an open, critical and friendly discussion.

The participants shared a common commitment to ensuring that the many victims receive the attention they deserve from both the academic community and the wider public in Serbia and Norway, and to safeguarding historical facts against revisionism through rigorous scholarly research and evidence.

The round table also provided an opportunity for Norwegian historian Knut Flovik Thoresen to present his research to date on the suffering of internees who were forcibly deported from the then Yugoslavia to Nazi camps in occupied Norway, the great majority of whom were Serbs.

The event was further distinguished by the participation of a special guest from Serbia – historian Nenad Milenović, Director of the Belgrade City Library.

The event was initiated and opened by H.E. Jasmina Mitrović Marić. During the interactive part of the round table, jointly moderated by First Counsellor Isidora Đorđević and Dragan Jovanov, valuable contributions to the study of this subject from different perspectives were presented by journalist and publicist Saša Dimitrijević, recipient of honours from both the King of Norway and the President of Serbia; distinguished Norwegian professor and leading expert in the field Michael Stokke; President of the Federation of Serbian Associations in Norway Tatjana Đurđević; Ronald Rusaanes, Curator of the Blood Road Museum in Norway; journalist and publicist Branko Dimeski; and Johannes Solberg, a Norwegian priest of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

It was concluded that an open dialogue about the past is important far beyond the scope of historical research alone, and that establishing and publishing the facts about the suffering, as well as examining them objectively, also contribute to a culture of peace, mutual understanding, and the shared commitment to ensuring that the tragic events experienced by Europe during the Second World War are never repeated.

Particular attention was drawn to examples of solidarity shown by Norwegians towards Serbian internees, which stand as further testimony to the brighter chapters in the shared history of our two peoples and two countries, which next year will mark 110 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.