''Arbeidermagasinet'' was a Norwegian weekly literary magazine established in 1927. It changed its name to ''Magasinet For Alle'' in 1953, and ceased publication in 1970. The magazine is especially noted for its literary quality and its promotion of the short story.

Editors

''Arbeidermagasinet's'' first editor from 1927 to 1931 was

Otto Luihn Otto Luihn (15 March 1890 – 3 March 1943) was a Norwegian newspaper editor, magazine editor and poet. Early life He was born as Otto Killingland in Drammen as a son of attorney Samuel Killingland (1841–1910) and Johanne Louise Luihn (1856– ...

Aksel Zachariassen Aksel "Azach" Zachariassen (16 November 1898 – 6 August 1987) was a Norwegian politician, newspaper editor, secretary and writer. Biography He was born in Porsgrunn as a son of ship captain Aksel Zachariassen (1853–1927) from Luleå and Karen ...

edited the magazine in 1931. In 1932

Nils Johan Rud Nils Johan Rud (24 July 1908 – 7 June 1993) was a Norwegian novelist, writer of short stories, children's writer, and a magazine editor. He is particularly known for his long-term period as editor of the magazine ''Arbeidermagasinet'' / ' ...

took over as editor for the magazine. In 1953 the name of the magazine was changed to ''Magasinet For Alle'', and Rud edit the magazine until it ended its publication in 1970. In 1931 the magazine had a circulation of around 40,000. A portion of the profit was donated to a cultural foundation, which in turn contributed to the funding of the encyclopaedia ''

Arbeidernes Leksikon (''The Laborers' Encyclopedia'') is a Norwegian language, Norwegian encyclopedia published in six volumes in the 1930s. It was the first reference book in Norwegian language, Norwegian to have a pronounced class bias, and the first encycloped ...

''. In 1935 the circulation was 100,000, decreased somewhat during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, and reached 140,000 shortly after the war. The number of sold copies gradually decreased, and was about 20,000 when the publication ended in 1972.

Contributors and content

''Arbeidermagasinet'' absorbed the weekly magazine ''For Alle'' and the comic magazine '' Hvepsen''. The magazine was introduced as a non-political entertainment magazine for working people, but had a clear socialist profile up to World War II. The editorial group was affiliated to the Communist Party, but was met with little enthusiasm from the party, and lack of support led to the first editor Luihn's withdrawal. The magazine's socialist tendency gradually faded away, with more focus on literary quality. The stories about the railway construction workers were popular. The love stories showed a conventional pattern of sex roles, but were relatively unprejudiced for the time. Feminists such as

Åsta Holth Åsta Holth (13 February 1904 – 16 March 1999) was a Norwegian novelist, poet and short story writer. She made her literary debut in 1944 with the short story collection ''Gamle bygdevegen''. In 1946, she published the poetry collection ''Pork ...

and Solveig Haugan wrote about women's roles. It also featured cartoons drawn by Tore Deinboll. Regular contributors were writers such as

Aksel Sandemose Aksel Sandemose (originally Axel Nielsen; 19 March 1899 – 6 August 1965) was a Danish-Norwegian writer whose works frequently elucidate the theme that the repressions of society lead to violence. Biography Axel Nielsen was born at Nykøbing M ...

Sigurd Hoel Sigurd Hoel (December 14, 1890 – October 14, 1960) was a Norwegian author and publishing consultant, born in Nord-Odal. A prolific writer and critic, during the World War II he was a member of the Norwegian resistance movement. In his early ...

Arnulf Øverland Ole Peter Arnulf Øverland (27 April 1889 – 25 March 1968) was a Norwegian poet and artist. He is principally known for his poetry which served to inspire the Norwegian resistance movement during the German occupation of Norway during World ...

and

Helge Krog Helge Krog (9 February 1889 – 30 July 1962) was a Norwegian journalist, essayist, theatre and literary critic, translator and playwright. Personal life Krog was born in Kristiania, the son of jurist Fredrik Arentz Krog and Ida Cecilie Thores ...

. Many later well-known writers, including Arthur Omre, Kåre Holt, Kjell Askildsen,

Alf Prøysen Alf Prøysen () (23 July 1914 – 23 November 1970) was a Norwegian author, poet, playwright, songwriter and musician. Prøysen was one of the most important Norwegian cultural personalities in the second half of the 20th century. He work ...

, Tor Jonsson and

Bjørg Vik Bjørg Vik (11 September 1935 – 7 January 2018) was a Norwegian novelist, short story writer, playwright, and journalist. Biography Bjørg Turid Vik was born in Oslo, Norway. Her parents were Sverre Thorbjørn Johansen (1903–1958) and Anna ...

, had their first published works in the magazine. Its editor for nearly forty years, Nils Johan Rud, received the

Arts Council Norway Honorary Award The Arts Council Norway Honorary Award () is awarded annually by the Arts Council Norway. The prize is awarded annually to a person who has made a significant contribution to Norwegian art and culture. The prize committee does not solicit nom ...

, and was decorated Knight of the

Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav (; or ''Sanct Olafs Orden'', the old Norwegian name) is a Norwegian order of chivalry instituted by King Oscar I on 21 August 1847. It is named after King Olav II, known to posterity as St. Olav. Just be ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arbeidermagasinet 1927 establishments in Norway 1970 disestablishments in Norway Defunct magazines published in Norway Defunct literary magazines published in Europe Literary magazines published in Norway Magazines established in 1927 Magazines disestablished in 1970 Norwegian-language magazines Weekly magazines published in Norway