Lecture with Wilhelm Karlsen: The industrial city of Bodø – where did it end up?

In the post-war period, Bodø emerged, measured in terms of the number of employees, as one of Northern Norway's largest industrial cities – without industry ever dominating the city's business life. Bodø stood out as a versatile city compared to other Northern Norwegian cities. This also applied to industry. There was no one type of industry that left its mark on the city, much less a single company that dominated – as was seen in Mo i Rana, Narvik, Hammerfest and Kirkenes.

Nevertheless, most of the classic industry eventually disappeared. Around the turn of the millennium, most of it was gone – or was it really?

In this lecture, Professor Wilhelm Karlsen will address the development of the industrial sector from 1945 to the present day, and discuss the forces that shaped and reshaped the industrial city of Bodø.

Date: April 28
Time: 6:00 PM (doors open 5:30 PM)
Price: 120NOK (includes entrance to the exhibitions and the museum shop)

In the fall of 2025, Nordlandsmuseet opened its self-produced exhibition "Made in Bodø" at the Bodø City Museum, telling the story of the city's industrial heritage. Here you can learn about workshops and factories throughout the 20th century, and reflect on how local industry, production and working life have left their mark - in the city, in society and in people.

Made in Bodø is more than an exhibition – it is an arena for reflection, memories and social debate. Here you can reminisce about the city's industrial heyday and look at old objects with new eyes.

Photo: Bodø, Burøya with Bodø Herring Oil Factory. Rønvika and Bodø Brickworks in the background (digital museum)