Museums as a Unifying Force in a Fragmented World: Our Shared History and a Future for All
In times characterized by global tension, social change, and environmental uncertainty, museums are increasingly seen as a platform for open dialogue and greater understanding between people. The ICOM Nord Spring Conference 2026 brings together museum professionals from the Nordic countries and the Baltic states to reflect on how museums can help people connect, find common ground, and navigate contemporary change. The conference is hosted by ICOM Nord and ICOM Iceland, in collaboration with the Association of Icelandic Museums and Museum Professionals and the Museum Council, with support from the Museum Fund.
The conference will take place in Reykjavik on May 12, 2026, in connection with the theme of International Museum Day, which this year has the theme Museums as a unifying force in a fragmented world (e.g. Museums Uniting a Divided World), and also takes into account the subtitle Our shared history and future for all (e.g. From Shared Histories to Common FuturesThe program consists of lectures, panel discussions, and museum visits, focusing on conflict and cooperation, the recovery of cultural heritage, and the responsibilities of museums, as well as their role in shaping our understanding of the past, present, and future.
Agenda
The Nordic House (until 3:00 PM)
9:00-9:30 Log in
9:30-10:00 Opening remarks:
– Hólmar Hólm, chairman of the Icelandic chapter of ICOM, and Eero Ehanti, chairman of ICOM Nord
– Antonio Rodriguez, President of ICOM (video message)
– Sabina Westerholm, Director of the Nordic House
10:00-10:15 Coffee break
10:15-12:00 In the morning, keynote lectures:
– Repatriation: The Icelandic-Danish Manuscript Dispute,
Guðrún Nordal, Director of the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies
– On Repatriation in the Now,
Eero Ehanti, chairman of ICOM Nord
– On Areas in Conflict: Insights from Ukraine and Greenland,
Søren la Cour Jensen, Chairman of the Blue Shield in Denmark
12:00-13:30 Lunch
13:30-15:00 In the afternoon:
– A Home for Nature: Museums and Ecology in the 21st Century,
Ragnhildur Guðmundsdóttir, Director of the National Museum of Natural History of Iceland
– From Shared Histories to Common Futures,
Panel discussion with representatives of the national chapters
15:00-17:30 Afternoon visits to nearby museums:
– National Museum of Iceland: A nation is born (guidance)
– The Árni Magnússon Institute: World in Words (guidance)
19:00 Conference Dinner: Hnoss, Harpa
Conference Fee and Registration
With lunch, coffee, and dinner:
€120 / 17,000 kr. (without ICOM membership: €140 / 20,000 kr.).
With lunch and coffee:
€40 / 5,800 kr. (without ICOM membership: €60 / 8,600 kr.).
Dinner is a three-course meal (drinks not included).
It is recommended to register in advance as seating is limited.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding the conference or payment, please contact Dagrúnu Ósk Jónsdóttur, Project Manager, by email at doj@hi.is.
The conference is hosted by ICOM Nord and the Icelandic chapter of ICOM, in collaboration with the Association of Icelandic Museums and Museum Professionals and the Museum Council, with support from the Museum Fund.