PROJEcT - What can we learn from Ásatrú ?
It is not uncommon to hear that churches are emptying… and it seems Iceland is no exception to the rule.
Christianised around the year 1000, likely under political pressure mixed with external influence, the island remains largely affiliated with the Lutheran Church, considered the state religion. However, the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, allowing Icelanders to practise any other faith or follow no belief at all.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Ásatrú, literally meaning "faith in the Æsir" (the Æsir being the principal gods of the Norse pantheon), began to re-emerge as a symbol of national identity and resistance to Christian influence. This neopagan religion is rooted in the beliefs and practices of ancient Scandinavian and Germanic peoples, notably the Vikings. This resurgence of interest may also be linked to a quest for cultural authenticity and a return to pre-Christian roots.
Ásatrúarfélagið, the Ásatrú Association, was founded in 1972 by Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson, a farmer, singer, and poet who sought to revive these ancient beliefs and practices. Ásatrú quickly obtained the status of an official religion, enabling its followers to perform rituals such as weddings and funerals within a recognised religious framework.
Today, practitioners of Ásatrú view their “religion” as inclusive and open to all, regardless of ethnic origin or race. Key values include the preservation of nature, respect for ancestors, loyalty, courage, and the celebration of natural cycles.
But is it truly a religion in the original sense of the term ? Or is it a modern spirituality striving to blend respect for ancient traditions with contemporary concerns ? If so, how does it achieve this balance ?
This project is not only dedicated to understanding the growing interest of Icelanders in this spiritual movement but also to exploring potential answers to 'existential' questions that seem to be a common denominator in our so-called Western societies.
What can we learn from Ásatrú ?
This year, I intend to create a series of portraits of people from all generations who, closely or remotely, identify with Ásatrú and to document rituals or other ceremonies related, for example, to the cycles of nature.
To do so, I have chosen an analog medium that I consider timeless, with all images taken using a Mamiya 6 (a medium-format camera). The idea is to reconnect with reflection before pressing the shutter, with slowness—an approach that seems to me to be in harmony with this subject, tinged with a return to the roots. In this way, I rediscover the essence of the photography of my twenties.
It seems essential to me to add an oral dimension to each of the portraits. The testimonies are collected and recorded in English, then transcribed and translated. I also ask each person for an excerpt of their story in the Icelandic language, whose historical root is Old Norse, the mother tongue of all Scandinavian languages. Its isolation and strong written tradition have allowed Iceland to preserve a language very close to medieval Old Norse. Its particular musicality makes it a unique language.
In December 2024, these three meetings laid the foundation stone for this project:
Kári
Folklorist and holder of a master’s degree in pre-Christian Nordic religions
How would I define Ásatrú*? Is it a religion or a philosophy? In my opinion, it is not a religion in the same way as those we know in the monotheistic realm. We often say that the gods and deities are höft og bönd – constraints and ties. They bind us to the landscape, to the environment, and they are very often a personification of natural forces and human qualities.
So, if we delve into the concept of "religion," it would be rather naive, in my view, to say that this word describes only one thing. In monotheism, on the one hand, and polytheism, on the other, we find vastly different understandings of religion, life, and the relationship with nature. Attitudes towards divinities are also very different.
From one perspective, it is a philosophy; from another, it falls within what one might call pantheism or... an attitude and relationship towards life.
* Literally: faith or belief in the Æsir - In Norse mythology, the Æsir are the principal group of gods associated with Odin and residing in the city of Ásgard. They coexist with two other groups of deities, the Vanir and the Disir.
Jónína
Artist, visual arts teacher and aromatherapist
I would define Ásatrú* this way: it is partly a religion, partly a philosophy, and, ultimately, partly a way of life. In fact, it is all these things combined, along with many other elements. Perhaps it is primarily a custom or a way of living according to certain traditions.
It is not a religion where you spend a lot of time praying or worshipping the gods. The gods are more like friends. They are not distant or above you; they are close.
Regarding the philosophical aspect, we focus more on ethics or on customs related to ethics. These principles are mainly found in the ancient poem Hávamál** - The Words of the High One - and the wise advice it contains. These are invaluable guidelines for living well.
As for the lifestyle linked to Ásatrú, that might be harder to define. Some see Ásatrú as a lifestyle, but for me, it’s difficult to explain because I’ve been part of it for so long...
* Literally: faith or belief in the Æsir
** A poem from the Poetic Edda, a collection of traditional poems from medieval Iceland. It is attributed to Óðinn – Odin, a god of the Norse pantheon. The poem offers a series of practical advice, ethical precepts, and philosophical reflections.
Garðar Ás
Retired entrepreneur
I have been part of the Ásatrúarfélagið* for about 19 years. I joined the movement because I could never understand Christianity. Like every Icelander, I was registered with the National Lutheran Church. It was after hearing the bishop, or another representative, on the radio about 20 years ago that I decided to leave the National Church. I had never heard such nonsense and arrogance come from a man’s mouth. At that moment, and for that reason, I decided to join Ásatrúarfélagið, although I had been considering it for some time already.
* Literally: Ásatrú Association
- A big thank you to Þór (Thor) Tulinius and Jónína K. Berg for their constant and valuable support in the realisation of this project -
