Erling Haaland Donates 430-Year-Old Viking Kings Saga to His Hometown

Erling Haaland has made a remarkable donation to his hometown, spending €118,000 on a 430-year-old Viking Kings saga and giving it to Time municipality in Jæren, the area where he grew up.

Historic Book Purchased at Auction

Haaland and his father, Alfie Haaland, secretly placed the winning bid over the phone at a December auction, purchasing a 1594 edition of Snorre Sturlason’s Kongesagaer, a chronicle of the Viking kings of Norway.

Experts describe the Mattis Størssøn edition as “the icon among all icons” of Norwegian literature. It is the only complete copy in private ownership, making it the most expensive Norwegian book ever sold — 1.3 million NOK (€118,000).

Donation to Hometown

Instead of keeping the book, Haaland donated it to his local community. He said, “I’ve never been a big reader, but I want people to read about those who came from my area.”

The gift also includes a competition for local children and young people, encouraging them to engage with the history and stories of the Viking kings.

Significance

This donation highlights Haaland’s connection to his roots and his desire to promote local history and culture. By sharing one of Norway’s most important literary treasures, he is giving young people in Jæren the opportunity to learn more about their heritage.