Dr. Ulf Erik Hagberg, publisher of Studia Gothica

Mr. Hagberg, this is the first visit of Swedish historians in Bulgaria. What is the aim of your visit?
We wanted to have very close connections. We are glad to be here. We have the possibility to develop the traditions of Gothic studies in cooperation with Bulgarian colleagues, and eventually start joint projects in the field of archeology, linguistics.

What is new in Gothic research in Sweden?
New Gothic archeological finds in southern Sweden confirm the origins of the Gothic people and culture in Scandinavia, and new linguistic studies about the etymology of the words Goths and Gothic.

You have been publishing the Studia Gothica since 1970. Your investigations connected with the Gothic heritage in Scandinavia continue. How during the decades the vision of the Goths has been changing and what does the Bulgarian perspective add to this research?
I think today it is easier to work, because of the new European context. Sweden has a special role in the research of the Goths. The moment for a closer cooperation between scienties from different European countries is coming now. If new excavations are made in Bulgaria, it will be very valuable. In Sweden we have done a lot of archeological work.

What is the contribution of such research to the contemporary European identity?
I think it is very important to know your background. We have common Gothic traditions, which connect different European countries and cultures that are on the way to form their common identity.