Arnljot

The Arnjolt opera was written by the Swedish composer Wilhelm Peterson-Berger

Famous Quotes from the Opera

The quote below serves as an inspiration for the present-day independence movement that exists in the Swedish province of Jamtland.

"Listen Jamtar to what I have to say for a while. Not even eighty winters have passed since Jamtland was still free and governed its own business. Back then, no taxes was given away to foreign kings. Why we settled being enslaved, at first under Norway and then under Svitiod [a reference to Sweden], are something that I have never understood. This country, being protected by forests, bogs and mountains, is difficult to raid and easy to defend. There are plenty of fighting men among us and more such men can be brought here if paid by goods. Therefore, I now advise you - end this dispute of which kingdom we belong. Let us refuse all foreign attempts to make us a county, no matter who demands this from us. Let us again seize our former freedom and elect a chief for all of our country, a king who will lead our struggle if the struggle is needed to defend our homes and our land."