In 2025, Museum Vestsjælland invites you to 9 different knowledge salons that deal with themes of weapons and power in West Zealand in a historical light.
Come right into the engine room and hear about thoughts, interpretations and results from the research project 'Weapons in West Zealand', which examines questions about armed force, combat, conflict, defence, resistance and flight from different sides, times and places. Find out more about Stone Age deer antler axes, Iron Age weapon finds, Viking Age weapon graves, Trelleborg's function and medieval defenses. Hear about the resistance struggle during the Second World War and about what it is like to flee and why you choose to go to war.
We have invited experts who share their knowledge and, in dialogue with museum inspector Trine Borake, examine various corners of war and conflict. The salons must make us more aware of this gloomy and unavoidable problem. Take part in one salon or in the whole series - and dive into a topic that is as relevant as it is fascinating.
The salons are organized in connection with the research project "Weapons in West Zealand", which ran from the middle of 2023 to the end of 2024. The project was led by museum inspector, Ph.D. and archaeologist Trine Louise Borake in collaboration with Mads Dengsø Jessen, senior researcher at the National Museum. The project received support from the Augustinus Foundation, the Beckett Foundation, the Knud Højgård Foundation, the Åge and Louis Hansen Foundation and the Ministry of Culture.
Read more about the different knowledge salons here.
- Trelleborg in a new light
Professor Søren Sindbæk explores Trelleborg's role in the Viking Age through new research. Come and hear about battles, fires and daily life behind the castle walls.
January 15, 2025, Viking Castle Trelleborg - The stag antler axe from Næsby – rituals and conflicts
Senior researcher Lasse Sørensen tells the story of a 7000-year-old Stone Age axe that reveals rituals and conflicts among hunter-gatherers.
February 5, 2025, Kalundborg Museum - Weapon graves in the Viking Age
Archaeologist Lizette Salge shares knowledge about finds from weapon offerings in Viking Age graves. The finds provide insight into the role of the warrior in the time.
March 12, 2025, Nykøbing Museum - A West Zealand veteran's story
Former soldier Henrik Nielsen reflects on the decision to go to war and shares his experiences from life as a veteran.
April 3, 2024, Holbæk Museum - The Shadow Warriors – exhibition tour
Historian Karen Sivebæk Munk takes us through the resistance during World War II, focusing on Danish heroes and British collaborators.
May 8, 2025, Slagelse Museum - Unsophisticated warfare – tour of the exhibition 'The Shadow Warriors'
Historian Thomas Egeberg Lund Johansen delves into the ingenuity of the resistance and talks about original effects from World War II.
June 12, 2025, Slagelse Museum - Weapons in West Zealand
Trine Borake investigates the mystery of the few weapon finds from the Iron Age and the Viking Age and what they tell us about the society of the time.
September 24, 2025, Nykøbing Museum - Should I stay, or should I go?
Rolin Ali has fled Syria. She talks about a refugee's dilemmas and choices when war and conflict force one to make difficult decisions.
October 22, 2025, Holbæk Museum - Defense in West Zealand
Archaeologist Martin Pavon presents Viking Age and medieval defense systems and what they reveal about external threats and internal organization.
November 12, 2025, Kalundborg Museum
