Samtiden

Samtiden is a Norwegian political and literary magazine with roots in the intellectual and cultural life of Norway at the end of the nineteenth century. It was founded in 1890 by Jørgen Brunchorst and Gerhard Gran, and developed as a forum for essays, literary criticism, cultural debate, political reflection, and contributions from writers and scholars. The publication belongs to Norway’s long-running periodical tradition, in which magazines have served not only as news outlets but also as spaces for sustained argument and interpretation. The magazine’s first publisher was John Griegs forlag in Bergen. From 1900, publication moved to Aschehoug in Oslo, which remained associated with the magazine for more than a century, until 2021. In 2022, publishing responsibility moved to the media company Medier og Ledelse. This change marked an important institutional transition while preserving the magazine’s identity as a dedicated political and literary publication. Gerhard Gran served as editor from 1892 until 1925 and helped establish the editorial tradition that shaped the magazine’s early decades. Later editors included Jacob Worm-Müller, Andreas Hofgaard Winsnes, John Sanness, Torkel Opsahl, Trond Berg Eriksen, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Knut Olav Åmås, Cathrine Sandnes, and Christian Kjelstrup. Between 2014 and 2016, the magazine used a distinctive rotating arrangement in which different editors were responsible for individual issues. This period included issues edited by Lena Lindgren, Espen Søbye, Simen Ekern, Hege Ulstein, Torgrim Eggen, Marta Breen, Christian Kjelstrup, and Christine Amadou. Christian Kjelstrup subsequently served as editor from 2017 to 2022, followed by Magne Lerø from 2022 onward according to the cited reference material. Samtiden’s editorial profile combines political discussion with literary and cultural analysis. Rather than being positioned as a general-interest daily publication, it operates as a magazine for longer-form ideas and debate. Its subject matter can therefore span social questions, political developments, literature, intellectual history, cultural institutions, and the relationship between contemporary events and broader Norwegian society. The magazine is also a member of the Eurozine network, connecting it with an international network of European cultural and political magazines. The publication received the Årets tidsskrift, or Magazine of the Year, award from Norsk Tidsskriftforening in 2021. The recognition is a significant marker of its standing within Norway’s periodical sector. Samtiden remains associated with the Norwegian magazine and essay tradition, with its principal market and cultural context in Norway and its publishing activity represented through its official website.

Samtiden was established in Norway in 1890 by Jørgen Brunchorst and Gerhard Gran. Its creation placed the magazine within the expanding Norwegian periodical and intellectual culture of the late nineteenth century. From the beginning, it was conceived as a political and literary publication rather than a narrowly specialized trade journal. Its subject matter and format allowed contributors to address contemporary public questions through essays, literary discussion, criticism, and cultural analysis. The magazine’s first publisher was John Griegs forlag in Bergen. In 1900, publication moved to Aschehoug in Oslo. Aschehoug remained the publishing house associated with Samtiden until 2021, giving the magazine a long institutional continuity and linking it to one of Norway’s established publishing environments. In 2022, publication responsibility transferred to Medier og Ledelse, a media company. The change represented a major shift in the magazine’s publishing arrangement, although the publication continued under the Samtiden name. Gerhard Gran was editor from 1892 to 1925 and was central to the magazine’s formative period. He was followed by Jacob Worm-Müller, whose documented tenure ran from 1925 to 1963, apart from the years 1940–1942, when Andreas Hofgaard Winsnes served as editor. John Sanness edited the magazine from 1963 to 1969, followed by Torkel Opsahl from 1969 to 1979. From 1979 to 1988, the editorial work was handled by a committee that included Helge Rønning and Mariken Vaa among others. The magazine returned to named editors with Trond Berg Eriksen from 1989 to 1993, Thomas Hylland Eriksen from 1993 to 2001, Knut Olav Åmås from 2001 to 2006, and Cathrine Sandnes from 2006 to 2014. The period from 2014 to 2016 used an unusual issue-by-issue editorial model. Individual issues were associated with Lena Lindgren, Espen Søbye, Simen Ekern, Hege Ulstein, Torgrim Eggen, Marta Breen, Christian Kjelstrup, and Christine Amadou. Christian Kjelstrup then served as editor from 2017 to 2022, and Magne Lerø is listed as editor from 2022 onward. Across its history, Samtiden has functioned as a venue for sustained Norwegian debate. Its political and literary remit gives it a broad intellectual range: the magazine can connect public affairs with literature, cultural life, ideas, and social interpretation. This distinguishes it from a conventional news magazine and places it within the essayistic and cultural-periodical tradition. The publication is also a member of the Eurozine network, an international association of European cultural and political magazines. In 2021, Samtiden received the Årets tidsskrift award from Norsk Tidsskriftforening. The award recognized the magazine within Norway’s periodical field and provided a notable milestone in its modern history. The combination of a long editorial succession, a change in publishing institution in 2022, and continued online presence through samtdiden.no indicates a publication that has adapted its institutional arrangements while retaining its core identity as a Norwegian political and literary magazine.

• 2022

  New publishing company

  [1]Samtidenen.wikipedia.org

  Medier og Ledelse becomes the publisher after the end of the magazine’s long association with Aschehoug.

• 2021

  Magazine of the Year award

  [1]Samtidenen.wikipedia.org

  Samtiden receives the Årets tidsskrift prize from Norsk Tidsskriftforening.

• 1900

  Publication moves to Aschehoug

  [1]Samtidenen.wikipedia.org

  Aschehoug in Oslo takes over publication from John Griegs forlag.

• 1892

  Gerhard Gran begins editorial tenure

  [1]Samtidenen.wikipedia.org

  Gerhard Gran becomes editor, beginning a tenure that lasts until 1925.

• 1890

  Samtiden is founded

  [1]Samtidenen.wikipedia.org

  Jørgen Brunchorst and Gerhard Gran establish Samtiden as a Norwegian political and literary magazine.

A Norwegian forum for long-form political, literary, and cultural discussion, positioned between an intellectual magazine and a public-affairs periodical.

• Political and literary periodical · 1890

  Samtiden magazine

  The core Samtiden product is a Norwegian political and literary magazine. It provides space for essays, literary criticism, cultural commentary, and reflection on political and social issues. Its identity is based on sustained argument and intellectual interpretation rather than rapid news reporting, placing it within Norway’s tradition of cultural and public-affairs periodicals.

• Digital magazine publication

  Samtiden online publication

  Samtiden also maintains an official online presence through samtingen.no, providing a digital channel for the magazine and its editorial identity. The available reference material does not specify the precise division between online-only material and content originating in print issues.

• 2022

  Transfer of publishing responsibility to Medier og LedelseStrategy

  Background

  After publication under Aschehoug through 2021, Samtiden underwent a change in publishing institution.

  Action taken

  Medier og Ledelse began publishing Samtiden in 2022.

  Aftermath

  The magazine continued under its established name and editorial profile, with Magne Lerø listed as editor from 2022.

  Source

• 1900

  Move to Aschehoug publicationStrategy

  Background

  Samtiden’s first publisher was John Griegs forlag in Bergen, and the magazine subsequently changed publishing arrangements.

  Action taken

  From 1900, Aschehoug in Oslo published the magazine.

  Aftermath

  Aschehoug remained associated with Samtiden until 2021.

  Source

1. 1Samtidenen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Samtiden official websitesamtiden.no