– A swastika is a symbol with long and heavy shadows. We therefore do not want to impose on anyone to get it done, but we encourage the school to think about whether it can be covered, so that later generations can do something about it, says national antiquarian Hanna Geiran, who was a guest on Dagsnytt on Friday 18. National antiquarian Hanna Geiran. Photo: TROND ISAKSEN / Riksantikvaren What was originally supposed to be a pleasant renovation suddenly became more complicated for Solborg folk high school in Stavanger. Because behind several layers of paint on one outer wall, a giant swastika from the war appeared. During the war years, Solborg was used as the headquarters for the Luftwaffe – the German air force – in Rogaland. – There are not that many traces from the Second World War in Norway that have been preserved. It’s not so strange, because after the war we wanted to get rid of traces quite quickly, says Geiran. The swastika measures approximately one meter in diameter and is surrounded by a red V symbol. This means that the swastika was probably painted in 1941. The Germans tried to take the V symbol from Winston Churchill and the English. This is what the cinema hall at Solborg looked like during the war. The picture is taken from the book series “Glimt from the occupation”. Photo: Military History Association Rogaland – Very important – Historically, this is very important. The swastika should therefore be preserved in one way or another, but not without context, says local historian Atle Skarsten. Local historian Atle Skarsten. Photo: Even Hye T. Barka He is quite clear that the swastika cannot be preserved as it is on the outer wall. – A swastika like that cannot be on the wall there and offend people and perhaps be a motive for neo-Nazis, he says. Principal Halvard Aase was mildly shocked when he saw what appeared on the school wall on Friday 15 July. – I saw this large swastika that almost stands there and lights up. I was very much reminded of that horrible story, and I felt the fear of bumping into neighbors and passers-by. My next thought was to get hold of a big banner and cover up immediately, he says. Will not sandblast Warden Mindor Vårvik at Solborg has previously told news that the workers have tried to sandblast away the entire swastika, but without success. It is not relevant to cut out the swastika, but the headmaster now promises that they will put away the sandblaster and paint over it instead. – It is probably possible to then remove the paint at a later time, says Aase, who emphasizes that the swastika is well documented through photographs. Riksantikvar Hanna Geiran points out that the folk high school has no formal responsibility for taking care of the swastika. – But it is strong and strange, and a very clear trace of these five years of occupation, which were a dramatic time for Norway, she says.
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The National Antiquarian will preserve the giant swastika – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
