World Teachers’ Day Event: The Teachers' Protest

Join the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the National Education Union and Gathering Light Films for a screening of the remarkable film The Teachers Protest. The story is one of resistance, illustrating the power of teachers when they come together to fight against hatred and injustice. It is one of power, inspiration, and, ultimately, hope. A paperclip in the jacket collar was used as a symbol and protest against the occupying powers during the Second World War. The paperclip was also the symbol of the teachers’ action in 1942, where Norwegian teachers refused the Nazi authorities’ demand of obligatory registration of all teachers in the Nazi teacher group and that schools must work to raise the youth to be ‘good Nazis’. The uprising caused roughly 1100 teachers to be arrested and many of them were sent to Kirkenes, where they were held under harsh conditions. This English-lanugage documentary from British filmmaker Jon Seal follows the story of the Norwegian teachers through protest, arrest, imprisonment and return to everyday life. The film is based, in part, around the drawings of Herløv Åmland, one of the teachers who was held in Kirkenes. He made many drawings of his daily life while in prison. The film screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Jon Seal and an informal reception. Please note that registration is required.