DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇸 Iceland /Culture & Society

Norwegian man protests team's celebration, calls it imitation of Iceland's ritual

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Norwegian man refused to participate in a post-match celebration involving a "rowing" ritual, calling it a copy of Iceland's celebration.
  • Emil Anners Lappen stated he felt compelled to protest what he perceived as theft of Iceland's cultural expression.
  • The incident gained attention in Norway, with Lappen becoming a symbol of protest against perceived cultural appropriation.

A Norwegian man has become a national talking point for refusing to join a post-match celebration, which he claims was a blatant imitation of Iceland's own distinct ritual. Emil Anners Lappen, from Fluberg in Oppland county, felt compelled to "protest" the celebration, describing it as "pure imitation" of Iceland's World Cup routine.

When they started this rowing, I thought to myself that this was pure imitation of what Iceland had last time they competed at the World Cup, and then this horrible song followed, and I just had to protest this.

— Emil Anners LappenExplaining his motivation for refusing to participate in the Norwegian team's post-match celebration.

Lappen explained that the "horrible song" accompanying the ritual solidified his decision to abstain. "When they started this rowing, I thought to myself that this was pure imitation of what Iceland had last time they competed at the World Cup, and then this horrible song followed, and I just had to protest this," he told mbl.is.

We cannot steal from Iceland.

— Emil Anners LappenStated in a TikTok interview highlighting his principle against perceived cultural theft.

His solitary act of defiance drew significant attention. Lappen was on a ship returning from vacation when he agreed to the interview. Norwegian media, including NRK, highlighted his one-man protest, with a TikTok video showing him stating, "We cannot steal from Iceland." He expressed pride in standing alone to "protest this theft."

Yes, of course, I am," Lappen responded with strong emphasis. "I am very proud to have been alone in protesting this theft.

— Emil Anners LappenExpressing his pride in standing alone to protest what he views as the theft of Iceland's cultural expression.

Despite his protest against the celebration, Lappen is pleased with Norway's performance in the World Cup, admitting it has exceeded his expectations. He also commented on a controversial photograph of the national team in Viking attire, finding it "very fun," but reiterated his refusal to participate in the "rowing" ritual, emphasizing his opposition to the perceived appropriation of the Icelandic Viking clap.

It has gone well, so well that it has surprised me, I must admit.

— Emil Anners LappenCommenting on Norway's performance in the World Cup.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog