Interview in Norwegian: Flokken. Med Kristin Armstrong Oma

How have the lives of animals and humans been intertwined from the Ice Age, through the Viking Age, to free-range barns and today’s pets? Archaeologist and author Kristin Armstrong-Oma reflects, together with sheep farmer, sheepdog handler and sociologist Eirik Magnus Fuglestad, on the relationship we have with farm animals through both work and leisure.

In her book Flokken (The Flock), Armstrong-Oma refers to farm animals as producers and members of the household. What, then, is the difference between a working animal and a pet? Jæren is probably the region in the country with the highest number of farm animals. For most people, many of these animals – such as sheep and cows – are probably just a kind of landscape feature that is only seen from a distance. The next time people encounter these animals is as vacuum-packed cuts of meat in the shop. Pigs and chickens, of which there are a great many in Jæren, are almost entirely invisible to most people until they, too, turn up as plastic-wrapped meat on the shop shelves.

Can a cow be both a pet and a farm animal? Or is she something entirely different? Some animals are regarded as working animals, such as the border collie that herds sheep. At the same time, dogs are also our friends, both in town and in the countryside.

The discussion will be led by farmer Eirik Magnus Fuglestad.

Please note that this event will be held in Norwegian.