Norwegian version

Publication No. 26: BRUDD – Dealing with the unpleasant, the taboo-laden, the marginal, the concealed, the controversial

It is the aim of the BRUDD project to challenge the archives, libraries and museums to bring to light and discuss difficult and marginalized issues, to find the courage to ask questions, to adopt a position, to encourage debate, and “to fulfil a problem-oriented societal critical function”.  This publication sets out the aims and objectives of the project and relates the experiences gathered by the participants of the project.

The Report to the Storting No. 22 1999-2000 Sources of knowledge and experience which was the cornerstone of the reform of the archive, library and museum sectors stated that, “Any act of selection also implies an act of de-selection; decisions are made as to which voices will be heard and which must remain silent in the song of history”.

The Report to the Storting emphasized that the museums have an important responsibility in selecting issues that provide a comprehensive picture of the diversity that makes up Norwegian society.  The museums are important instruments in the shaping and maintenance of a cultural self-awareness.

Because they have such great potential power, it is important that the museums both undertake continuous self-scrutiny and adopt a questioning attitude to our society.  For too long they have been dispensing what they considered was the truth, without reflecting that they are merely telling one version of it.

The BRUDD project was initiated by the Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority in 2003, brought about by the feeling that it was necessary to adopt a critical attitude to the handling by the museums of what is the truth.  Nine museums and one county council are taking part.  The aim of the project is to encourage critical questioning, to raise discussion about difficult subject matters, the taboo-laden, the marginalized, the concealed, and the controversial.

The project report discusses the problem oriented or critical approach as methodology and sets out the experiences gathered so far over the two and a half years since the project started.  Importantly, the museums themselves report on their own work on problematic issues.  These cover a wide range; one account talks of breaking down the myths that homosexuality goes against nature, describing the practice in the animal kingdom.  Another account relates another, dark side of the history of the POW camp Falstad, which at one time also served as a correctional institution for so-called unruly boys.

The BRUDD project is encouraging an important debate on the professional role of the museums.  We would like to thank the project group and those who have contributed to the report.  Many will have something to learn from it.