This monograph has been a long time in the making, as its subject matter has enthralled me for the duration of my master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral projects; as such, there are many people to whom I owe my thanks.
I am deeply indebted to my friends and colleagues at the Centre for Scandinavian Studies of the University of Aberdeen for their support, encouragement, and discussions throughout the PhD. I am especially grateful to my supervisors, Michael H. Gelting and Stefan Brink, for their input and guidance. I would also like to extend my thanks to Kungliga Gustav Adolfs Akademien för svensk folkkultur for the opportunity provided through their Bernadotte scholarship, which allowed me to further expand the scope of the thesis. I am likewise grateful for the welcoming environment at the history department of the University of Gothenburg and to my mentor there, Thomas Lindkvist – who also doubled as the examiner for the doctoral thesis –, for his insightful advice and guidance. During conferences, symposia, and informal meetings, I have also had the pleasure of meeting many – too many to count – accomplished researchers, but I must thank the late Rikke Malmros, who was always willing to selflessly share her newest publications and to discuss our shared passion, even if we often disagreed.
To my new colleagues at my new home in Bodø, thank you for a wonderful working environment, and for your help and advice during the later stages of publication. Finally, I extend my warmest thanks to my family, friends, and loved ones for their unwavering support and affection throughout these – sometimes turbulent – years.
Beñat Elortza Larrea
Bodø, November 2022