Norwegian Cabin Life in Transition

The second home phenomenon and Norwegian rurality

“…In a separate national survey, one-third of the population reported an interest in working at their second home (see Farstad et al 2008). However, for many, the traditional conception of a cabin as a space for leisure, recreational activities, and family life precludes its use for work-related activities (Vittersø 2007), despite the fact that the historical roots of Norwegian second homes are strongly associated with work life (summer farms and fishermen's shacks), as noted by several authors (e.g. Aall in press).…”

“…As a number of authors have remarked (Kaltenborn 1998, 133;Flognfeldt 2004;Vittersø 2007;Hidle et al 2010), the rural cabin keeps a key position in Norwegian folklore and is intrinsically woven into the national imaginary. The rural represents 'the good life'; a 'natural' lifestyle marked by 'peace' and 'quietness', and the cabin makes this rural idyll accessible for everyone, even the most urban segments of the population.…”

“…The Norwegian second home phenomenon: key characteristics Second homes are integral to Norwegian society and culture, both in terms of historical legacy and present-day practices (Flognfeldt 2004;Vittersø 2007;Hidle et al 2010), and are seen by some as a symbol of national identity (Kaltenborn 1998, 133). In 2010, c.423,000 second homes were registered by the authorities (Statistics Norway 2010a).…”

‘A solid partner in a fluid world’ and/or ‘line of flight’? Interpreting second homes in the era of mobilities

“…. seldom needs further explanation', connecting as it does the increasingly urban Norwegian with friluftsliv (Abram 2007), an alternative life of outdoor recreation and simplicity (Vittersø 2007). Rooted in tradition, the second home represents a 'radical alterity from [the] everyday working life' (Abram 2007, 5) of modernity (Kaltenborn 1998).…”

Advertising Stories of Second Homes in the Swedish Welfare State

“…The aim of higher building standard of new built vacation houses could in other words be said to be supported by the state, not only to be understood as effect of demands at the consumer's market (cf. Kaltenborn et al, 2007;Vittersø, 2007). The ambition from the state to upgrade the design of vacation housing should also be related to the early breakthrough of Swedish modernism in the 1930s, a development closely connected to the social-democratic hegemony and its interest of consumption as a driving force to welfare development (Mattsson & Wallenstein, 2010).…”