Культурное наследие Севера в цифре.

There are no official statistics on the number of Kvens today. According to Л 1 Pia Lane, it might be at least 50 000 . Although most Kvens still live in Northern Norway, they have spread out widely in Norway and to the US as well. In 1998 the Kven people was recognized as one of five national minorities in Norway. It should be mentioned that the group differs in its self-understanding. Some pre­ fer to call themselves Kvens, some prefer to be Norwegian Finns. From 2011 both terms are fully accepted. The Kven language was given the status of minority language in 2005. It belongs to the Baltic Finnic language family and is related to Finnish, Karelian and Meankieli (in Torne River Valley), and was in public use up to Second World War. Norwegian authorities were systematically leading a Norwegianization poli­ cy from the 1890’s and onward. They wanted the Kvens to be totally assimilated into the Norwegian society. Their language was considered a risk, an instrument of tightening the cultural and political ties to Finland, so that it might lead to Fin­ land’s occupation of Norwegian territory. Up to the 1930’s Finnish language could be used as an assistant for teaching purposes, but from then on, it was for­ bidden in school. Parents were taught that it was unwise to speak Finnish to their children at home. Norwegian was considered the language of the future, and Finn­ ish and Kven language a hinder to career and prosperity. Thus, the generations born after 1950 lost their parents’ mother tongue. The revival o fKven culture and language. During the 1960’s, movements throughout the world were arguing for the rights of indigenous and minority peoples, and the recognition of their cultural heritage and values. A shift in treating minority questions took place in Norway, too. Kven language and history became a field of academically research at Troms 0 University, established in 1968. The Kvens were recognized as a national 21 Lane, Pia Marit Johanne (2011). The Birth of the Kven Language in Norway: Emancipation through state recognition . International Journal o f the Sociology o f Language. ISSN 0165-2516. 2011(209), s 57- 74 119