Their work constitutes a very important part of Norwegian identity.
However, in recent years, the Norwegian population (or connection to a Norwegian identity) has declined.
Norway has only been an independent country for 106 years, and language issues were and are central to Norwegian identity.
The adversity strengthened and further defined the Norwegian national identity.
Now there is a thinning in the ranks of the first and second generation immigrants - those who kept their Norwegian identity.
Norwegians, having reasserted their political aspirations in 1814, the question of a distinct Norwegian identity became important.
Romantic nationalism has had an enormous impact on the Norwegian national identity.
The events and the constitution of 1814 have a central place in Norwegian identity.
The choral tradition has since been exploited to strengthen the Norwegian identity.
This was a gateway to the topic of nationalism, and Sørensen headed a research project on the emergent Norwegian national identity in the 19th century.