Despite the museum's age, the current management responsible for education and heritage has been cutting funds. The Viking Ship Museum was going to undergo expansion renovations, which were canceled, and now there is a threat that the museum will be closed for good, even though it is one of the most sought-after attractions in Oslo, as well as a world reference in the preservation of these vessels.

Last year, UNESCO recognized that the Viking ships have become part of the material and intangible heritage of humanity, an exceptional fact to affirm that the Oslo museum does not deserve to be closed. Furthermore, it is underlined that the expansion of the museum would generate jobs, in addition to increasing the number of tourists, as well as improving the facilities for visitation, study, and research.

The greatest risk to the ships, which are fragile artifacts, is the lack of maintenance that could leave them seriously damaged, threatening to destroy some of the few examples of Viking Age ships that have been found in better condition.

Because of this problem, archaeologists and museum staff started an online petition to collect signatures to ask the government to review its decision to close the museum and not carry out the works.

Thus, the Centre for Viking and Scandinavian Studies (NEVE) and the EXEA Maritime Museum are requesting the public's collaboration to sign the petition and help the Norwegians save their important museum.

click here and help by signing the petition.

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Source of the image: University of Oslo (2022)