Speech of 2025/10/03 in Athens by Kyrre Gram Franck, founder of the Sjamanistisk Forbund (Norway)

"The Contribution of Ethnic Religions to the formation of European Identity"

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues,

It is an honor to speak before you today at the European Congress of Ethnic Religions. Our topic — the contribution of ethnic religions to the formation of European identity — invites us to explore a subject that is both deeply historical and urgently relevant. In doing so, we approach it with respect, a commitment to inclusivity, rejecting any narratives rooted in supremacy or exclusion. Instead, we focus on the foundational role that ethnic religious traditions have played—and continue to play—in shaping the identities and cultures of Europe.

When we use the term ethnic religion in this context, it should never be understood as a white supremacist expression, nor as something closed and restricted only to people of a parcular ethnicity. The term refers to religious traditions rooted in specific cultures and landscapes, but their practice and study are open to anyone who approaches them with respect, sincerity, and dedication, regardless of background or origin. What matters is genuine commitment and willingness to learn, not a person’s ethnicity.

My name is Kyrre Franck and I am a Sami, practising the old religion of Noiadevuohta also being the founder of Shamanic associaon of Norway. I am not a scholar but a tradionalist. So I do not try to hide the fact that I am pro Ethnic religions. I have also had the honor of serving at the board of Ecer for the past two years.

European identity is not a singular or static essence. Rather, it is a pluralistic and evolving tapestry woven from many threads: histories, languages, peoples, and beliefs. Central to this tapestry are the ethnic religions indigenous to the continent—those spiritual systems rooted in specific peoples, lands, and ancestral traditions. These religions have formed vital pillars of community and identity, and remain integral to understanding the cultural and societal fabric of Europe.

Understanding European identity as pluralistic and evolving.

From the outset, it is important to emphasize that European identity is not an exclusive concept shaped by any single tradition or faith. It is pluralistic and layered, encompassing multiple heritages and experiences. An inclusive European identity acknowledges the diverse religious and cultural legacies contributed by ethnic religions across the continent.

Ethnic religions offer perspectives that highlight connections to land, ancestry, and nature, which have been central in shaping the ways communities understand themselves and their place in the world. Europe’s complex history shows us that identity formation is a dynamic process shaped by these deeply rooted traditions as well as external influences.

Ethnic religions as foundations of community and identity

Ethnic religious traditions provide more than spiritual belief systems; they serve as frameworks for social cohesion, cultural continuity, and collective memory. Through rituals, symbols, and narratives, they establish bonds within communities, nurturing senses of belonging and shared identity.

For many indigenous and regional peoples, including groups such as the Sámi, religious traditions are inseparable from the land and community life. These spiritual systems encode knowledge of the environment, ancestral histories, and ethical values, guiding relationships within and beyond the community. They have historically supported the preservation of languages, art, and customary laws—components fundamental to cultural survival.

Suppression and resilience of Ethnic religions

It is essential to acknowledge the difficult history ethnic religions have faced in Europe. Christianity, as it expanded across the continent, frequently sought the suppression and eradication of indigenous beliefs. This process often involved coercive conversion efforts, assimilationist policies, and the marginalization or destruction of original religious practices.

These experiences have left scars but have not extinguished the spiritual heritage of ethnic religions. Instead, many communities have demonstrated remarkable resilience, maintaining or reviving their traditions despite centuries of pressure. Today we witness vibrant movements aimed at reclaiming indigenous spiritual practices and reasserting their place within the broader societal and cultural landscapes of Europe.

Religious traditions as societal and identity-building factors

Religious traditions—whether ethnic, indigenous, or otherwise—play a fundamental role as societal glue. They provide rituals and narratives that situate individuals within a shared past and collective future, fostering solidarity and cultural continuity.

In Europe, ethnic religions contribute to shaping identity on mulple levels—local, regional, and continental. They anchor people to particular territories and histories, enabling the preservation of unique cultural forms that enrich the connent’s diversity. This dynamic counters homogenizing forces and offers spaces where multiple identities coexist, interact, and flourish.

Sámi Indigenous Religion (Northern Europe): The Sámi people’s shamanisc and animistic traditions are deeply connected to the Arctic landscape, reindeer herding, and ancestral heritage. These practices are vital for Sámi cultural identity and community cohesion. Despite historical suppression during Christianization and nation-building in Scandinavia, Sámi spirituality remains a living force, now a central part of our movement for cultural survival and recognition, anchoring identity to land and indigenous rights.

Baltic pagan traditions.These groups maintain cultural identities intertwined with pre-Christian pagan beliefs focused on nature worship and ancestral spirits. Though Christianity and other religions became dominant, there has been a revival and celebration of these ancient traditions through festivals, folklore, and ritual, reinforcing regional distinctiveness and ethnic pride within the broader European mosaic.

Celtic religious heritage. Ancient Celtic polytheistic beliefs shaped community life and social structures in regions like Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. Today, modern Celtic identiyy often incorporates elements of Celtic spirituality and cultural revival, including language preservation and artistic expression, connecting regional identity to a shared continental heritage of indigenous European traditions.

Ethnic religions in modern European identity

In the modern European context, ethnic religions gain recognition as valuable components of cultural heritage under frameworks established by the European Union and the United Nations. Instruments such as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights uphold the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion while protecting cultural and linguistic diversity.

These legal and ethical frameworks affirm that preserving ethnic religions is essential not only for the cultural survival of specific communities but also for the broader project of building an inclusive European identity. Respecting and supporting the diversity of religious traditions strengthens the social fabric, fostering mutual understanding and coexistence.

The Sámi perspective on Ethnic religion and identity

To illustrate these principles, I offer the example of my own people, the Sámi, the indigenous people of Northern Europe. Our spiritual traditions embody the intimate bond between identity, land, and religion. Sámi indigenous religion, rooted in animism and shamanic practices, reflects a profound relationship with nature and ancestral heritage.

The history of the Sámi includes periods of suppression, particularly during Christian missionary expansion and nation-state building in Norway and surrounding countries. Yet, Sámi activism today champions the revitalization and preservation of their spiritual heritage as a cornerstone of their cultural identity and rights.

The Sámi experience exemplifies how ethnic religions are not relics of the past but living traditions that continue to shape identity, social cohesion, and cultural resilience in the face of modern challenges.

European legal and ethical frameworks supporting religious and cultural diversity

Europe benefits from robust legal frameworks that protect religious freedom and cultural rights. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights recognizes the right to freedom of religion and belief, as well as protection against discrimination on grounds including ethnic origin and religion. Similarly, the United Nations emphasizes cultural rights and the importance of protecting indigenous peoples' heritage.

These frameworks entail an ethical commitment to support minority and ethnic religions as indispensable parts of Europe's pluralisc identity. Ensuring their protection and promotion is consistent with democratic values and promotes peaceful coexistence.

Positive contributions and future outlook

Ethnic religions contribute positively to Europe’s cultural mosaic. They preserve ancient wisdom, offer unique worldviews, and enrich spiritual diversity. Their rituals and ethics often emphasize respect for nature, community responsibility, and continuity—values increasingly relevant in contemporary society.

Looking forward, fostering pluralism and intercultural dialogue offers the best path toward a resilient, inclusive European identity. Recognizing and valuing ethnic religions within the connent safeguards cultural richness and strengthens social cohesion.

Challenges for Ethnic religions in the formation of a European identity

Ethnic religions play a vital role in shaping European identity by connecting people to their ancestral lands, histories, and cultural practices. However, they face several significant problems and obstacles in their contribution to the formation of a cohesive European identity.

One major challenge is the historical legacy of suppression and marginalization, particularly due to Christianization and nation-state policies that sought to eradicate or assimilate indigenous and ethnic religious traditions. This history has led to the loss of rituals, languages, and knowledge essential to these religions, making revival efforts difficult.

Additionally, ethnic religions often confront contemporary societal misconceptions, including misunderstandings that label them as archaic, nostalgic, or even politically contentious. This can result in limited public recognition and support, complicating efforts to preserve and integrate these traditions within broader European cultural narratives.

Furthermore, legal and instituonal frameworks, while increasingly protective, sometimes fall short in fully acknowledging the unique needs of ethnic religions, creating obstacles in the exercise of religious rights, cultural education, and access to sacred lands.

Finally, globalization and homogenizing cultural forces pose ongoing threats to the distincveness of ethnic religions, challenging their maintenance amid rapid social and economic changes.

Despite these obstacles, ethnic religions continue to demonstrate resilience and contribute profoundly to a pluralisc and inclusive European identity, emphasizing the need for sustained recognition, protection, and dialogue.

Embracing diversity for a cohesive European identity

In closing, ethnic religions have played—and continue to play—a foundational role in the formation and evolution of European identity. Their contributions as societal and identity-building forces must be acknowledged and respected. This recognition aligns with human rights frameworks commitied to dignity, freedom, and cultural diversity.

European identity is strongest when it embraces its pluralisc heritage, recognizing the enduring significance of indigenous and ethnic religious traditions. Only through a shared commitment to respect, inclusion, and dialogue can Europe continue to be a living tapestry of many voices, histories, and cultures.

Sources
1. Research project on ethnic and religious diversity in European nation-building — explores how ethnicity and religion shape national identities in countries including Norway:
"Implications of Ethnic and Religious Diversity for National Identiyy" (PRIO, 2013- 2017)
2. Scholarly report examining the creation of EU identity with attention to ethnic and civic nationalism:
"Civic and Ethnic Nationalism in European Union Identity Creation" (University of Oslo, 2020)
3. Article on ethnic boundary-making and religious transnationalism among youths in Norway, providing insights into contemporary idenitty negotiations:
"Dimensions of Ethnic Boundary-Making: Experiences of Young…" (2022)
4. Paper on ethnicity, religion, and intercultural dialogue in European border regions focusing on cultural identity and religious diversity:
"Ethnicity, Religion and Intercultural Dialogue in the European Border Space"
5. Overview of Sámi and indigenous studies by Nordic researchers covering indigenous spirituality, language revitalizaon, and cultural survival:
Sámi and indigenous people research profiles (Nord University, 2025)
6. Research article on the romantic indigenizing of new religious movements in contemporary Europe addressing indigenous spiritual revival:
"Romantic Indigenizing of New Religions in Contemporary Europe" (International Journal for the Study of New Religions, 2019)
7. Academic analysis of European identity between religiousness and secularity, discussing the complex role of religiosity in Europe:
"European Identity between Religiousness and Secularity" (2020)
8. Historical study on the suppression and eradication of non-Christian religions in medieval Western Europe:
"Not So Innocent: Clerics, Monarchs, and the Ethnoreligious..." (2024)
9. Article describing the Sámi as Europe’s only recognized Indigenous group and their spiritual traditions, including challenges and revitalization:
"How Europe's only Indigenous group is inspiring a greener Christianity" (2024)
10. Literature review of national and European identity research with empirical findings on diverse identity patterns:
"Forms of National and European Identity: A Research Note" (2024)