Tuesday Lecture: The World of the Vistarband System in the 18th and 19th Centuries [Icelandic]

Every Tuesday at lunchtime throughout the winter and spring months, the National Museum of Iceland offers a variety of events, including film screenings, guided tours and lectures.

On Tuesday, 20 October, historian Vilhelm Vilhelmsson will give the lecture The World of the Vistarband System in the 18th and 19th Centuries.

The vistarband system—the obligation of landless adults to hire themselves out as annual servants to farming households—is a well-known feature of Icelandic history. Many people know stories of ancestors who spent time in service and whose experiences varied greatly. However, there are also many misconceptions about the vistarband system that do not hold up under closer examination.

This lecture will explore the world of the vistarband system in Iceland during the 18th and 19th centuries, examine legislation governing farm servants, and consider several examples that shed light on the relationships between servants and their masters.

Vilhelm Vilhelmsson holds a PhD in history from the University of Iceland. He is the director of the University of Iceland’s Research Centre in Northwest Iceland and has conducted extensive research into the history of the vistarband system in Iceland.

A museum admission ticket includes access to the event. Please note that an admission ticket also serves as an annual pass to the museum, providing access to all museum events and exhibitions for one year from the date of purchase upon presentation of the ticket. Admission to exhibitions and events is free for children under the age of 18.

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