GOING a VÍKÍNG by Tyr Neilsen
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In Old Norse, the word Víkingr means a person, while the word Víking means an activity. According to the sagas, the phrase "to go a-Viking" was used to describe the people from the north who went on voyages of discovery.
For a long time, I had thought of how it would be to go a-Viking. I wondered what my voyage of discovery might be like, and what it could bring.
Like most people, the thought of giving up the comforts of daily routines, and traveling the world, seemed like a pipe dream. However, this dream became a reality when I embarked on a year-long Viking adventure, that took me to nine countries, covering over 25,000 kilometers (15,000 miles).
flying norwegian air in january. departing Norway in a blizzard and arriving back in a snow storm.
Embarking on a such a big project was exciting and daunting. I wanted to visit as many places that were holding Viking festivals and historical events as posssible. A lot of preperation had to be done, and as it was an adventure that might only happen once in a lifetime, I had to plan carefully and in detail.
The journey kicked off in Norway, on New Year’s Eve, in the city of Drammen, that was celebrating it’s 200th-anniversary. There was a spectacular fireworks display, and a show based on a true Viking story from the area. It was a good way to start.
up helly aa fire festival in the shetland isles
From there, the real adventure began, and over a 12 month period, I traveling by car, boat, train, and plane, to Edinburgh and Largs in Scotland, Lerwick in the Shetland Isles, Hastings and York in England, Lönsboda in Sweden, Hafnarfjörður in Iceland, Trelleborg in Sweden and Denmark, Oldenburg in Germany, Moesgaard in Denmark, Gudvangen in Norway, Paris and Bayeux in France, and Wolin in Poland.
Each destination created new and memorable experiences. I took as much time as possible, taking in the stunning landscapes, culture and history of each location.
viking longhouse in trelleborg, denmark
My plan was to explore the places that held Viking arrangements, and get a sense of Viking influence there. Each country, city and town I visited, was proud of the Norse influence on their history.
Throughout the journey, I met interesting people from all over Europe and the Near East, who were embracing the culture and traditions of the Vikings. They showed me that the admiration of Vikings has not dwindled in the past 1000 years, and is in fact growing.
studying the original 11th century Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the conquest of England in 1066 by the Duke of Normandy. the bayeux tapestry is over 68 meters long - an incredible 224 feet!
Apart from traveling and taking part in Viking arrangements, I got to help build a full size copy of the Oseberg Viking Ship, and sail on Gaia, a full size copy of the Gokstad Viking ship.
In the Norwegian forest and hills, I participated in a Norse survival course, using only Viking Age equipment. A trip to Gudvangen was extra fun, when a Løse-tak Glima student of mine won the Gudvangen Glima championship, in epic style.
helping build saga oseberg, the full size copy of the 9th century Oseberg Viking Ship
I got to train armed and unarmed combat, with some of the best Viking swordfighters and glima experts in Europe. I took part in reenactments in Scotland and England, alongside several hundred participants, in historically correct clothes, armor and equipment.
At the Battle of Hastings, I fought on the same field where the historical battle took place in 1066 AD, and was surprised at what an emotional experience it was.
500 Viking and Slav warriors have a 'real' Viking battle, with hard hits from steel weapons
In Poland, I was the first Norwegian to fight in the Wolin steel-weapon battle. This was an exciting and dangerous experience, as it was a ‘real’ battle, with hard hits from the weapons, weilded by over 500 Viking and Slav warriors.
My Viking journey finished, exactly one year later, in the same place as I had started it. The adventure of a lifetime concluded at the New Year's Eve event in Drammen, only this time, after a Viking parade, I ended the year in a Viking swordfight, in front of thousands of cheering spectators, and with the backdrop of a stunning firework display.
new years eve viking swordfight
