Thor Heyerdahl’s urn has been moved to Larvik – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio

The case in summary: Thor Heyerdahl, who was born in Larvik 110 years ago, has been given a new burial ground in his hometown. Heyerdahl, who died in 2002, was originally buried in the Italian village of Colla Micheri. His urn has now been moved to Larvik, and his return was marked with a memorial service. Local zealots have collaborated with the family to get Heyerdahl back to Larvik. Thor Heyerdahl is best known for leading the Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947 and several other expeditions and archaeological excavations. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s ​​journalists before publication. This year marks 110 years since Thor Heyerdahl was born in Larvik. He was world famous when he died aged 87 in 2002. Heyerdahl was laid to rest in Oslo Cathedral, but was given his own burial place in the Italian village of Colla Micheri, where he and his family lived. Thor Heyerdahl became known, among other things, as an adventurer, archaeologist and author. Photo: Knut Falch / SCANPIX His urn has now been moved to his hometown in Vestfold. There, the discoverer gets a new grave. Today, the return was marked with a memorial service in Larvik church. – It was very moving, and it is a day of joy. Getting him to his home town feels very right, says daughter Marian Heyerdahl. Thor Heyerdahl’s life Photo: Åserud, Lise / NTB scanpix Norwegian ethnographer and zoologist. Born in Larvik on 6 October 1914. Carried out several expeditions and was active in the debate about cultural contact and diffusion throughout history. After extensive studies, he launched a hypothesis that Polynesia was populated from the Americas and not Southeast Asia, which was the common opinion. In 1947 he sailed across the Pacific with the Kon-Tiki raft to prove the theory. The book about the journey was a worldwide success and has been translated into 60 languages. The film won the Oscar for best documentary film in 1951. Died in Italy on 18 April 2002. Source: Store norske lexikon A last journey Local zealots have worked closely with the family to get Heyerdahl back to the town where he started his life. Daughter Marian says that her father got a last trip from Italy to Norway. – We chose to drive him up by car and took the Kiel ferry, so he got one last boat trip, she laughs. Thor Heyerdahl’s children in front of the grave. From left Thor Heyerdahl jr., Bettina and Marian Heyerdahl. Photo: Robert Hansen / news She thinks the location, a few meters from the church, is fantastic. – He is completely by himself, with a lovely stone and very close to Tollerodden and the monument that is there. Larvik has become a Thor Heyerdahl town. He is everywhere. According to Marian, this is a day of joy. – Dad is still alive. His theories are alive and developing, she says. The Thor Heyerdahl monument on Tollerodden in Larvik. Photo: Håkon Lie / news The ring is closed Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) participated as a representative of the government. Former Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik had also made the trip. He was prime minister when Heyerdahl died. – I met him occasionally when he was alive. We got to know each other and I heard about some of his merits, says Bondevik. He was involved in making the decision that Heyerdahl’s funeral should be billed to the state. Inside the church, there were words of remembrance from his children, and greetings from mayors and the government. In addition, there was Italian music. Photo: Robert Hansen / news Former mayor of Larvik, Øyvind Riise Jensen, is the initiator of getting the urn home. – This is a wonderfully big and beautiful day for everyone in Larvik. Now everything is in place and the ring is finished. We are grateful for that. Thor Heyerdahl jr., who is the oldest son of the discoverer, has stated that the family is satisfied with this solution. – When Larvik wants to show off a man they regard as their great son, it flatters us. Thor Heyerdahl Jr. and initiator Øyvind Riise Jensen. Photo: Robert Hansen / news A content-rich life Thor Heyerdahl is perhaps best known for having led the Kon-Tiki expedition in 1947. The aim of the voyage across the Pacific Ocean was to show that people in Polynesia came from the American continent and not Southeast Asia. Heyerdahl was also on expeditions with the papyrus boats “Ra” and “Ra II” and the reed boat “Tigris”. He led several archaeological excavations, including on Galápagos and Easter Island. Published 21.06.2024, at 18.56



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