Dear Laureates, ladies and gentlemen, friends and colleagues.

On behalf of the Norwegian government, it is my great joy to congratulate Professor Lyndal Roper on receiving the Holberg Prize, and Associate Professor Majse Lind on receiving the Nils Klim Prize.

You are both truly worthy recipients of these prizes celebrating the spirit and legacy of Ludvig Holberg.

Professor Roper’s research offers new perspectives on European history and shows us how ideas and beliefs from the past continue to shape today’s world. Roper’s work demonstrates why the humanities are essential for understanding the society we live in.

Majse Lind is awarded the Nils Klim Prize for her innovative research on youth, identity, and mental health—including how to find comfort even when facing mental health challenges. This is an area that concerns many and carries great societal importance, therefore concerns us all

We live in times of great uncertainty. I know this directly impacts many young people, and we know it impacts us all. The value of knowledge and research are being questioned in ways that few would think possible only some years ago. Many of the things that were stable, are now unstable. Many truths that were evident are now uncertain.

How quickly can a society change – from the stable to the unstable? How can something that today is unthinkable – like the witch persecutions that affected so many innocent people in early European history – at a time have been perceived just and necessary?

And in a leap of time: How can we understand the growing mental health challenges in western countries like Norway today? How can AI give us new perspectives on persistent problems?

How can we understand the world around us without the humanities? Without the curiosity into the human condition that fuels researchers like the laureates we celebrate today?

The simple answer is, we can’t.

These truths are self-evident for everyone who is truly interested in understanding society, understanding people, understanding our world. Not all share that interest.

Because knowledge can challenge power. Knowledge can question structures that do not wish to be questioned. Knowledge can empower those who some people do not want to be empowered.

In times of growing uncertainty, we must continue to choose knowledge over prejudice.

Continue to stand fast by the basic principles of a knowledge-based world, of rigorous method and the constitution of knowledge: where do not have all the answers, but we must keep exploring and we must do so within a knowledge society where we can challenge each other openly, keep dialogue alive, and adhere to basic prinsiples of transparency and reliability.

We must, in short, continue to be inspired by researchers like Lyndal Roper and Majse Lind.

Thank you!