The Norwegian festival Midgardsblot, known for its focus on metal and Viking history, has recently been accused of promoting Nazism. The accusations were accompanied by threats of a permanent shutdown from a user named Jimmy Langgård.
In a post on the Midgardsblot Official Community Facebook group, Langgård wrote:
“I can guarantee you, if I find out that Nazi glorification and recruitment is happening at this event, it will be PERMANENTLY SHUT DOWN!”
This short sentence has caused confusion among readers, as there is little additional context. At the time of writing, the post has over a hundred comments and many likes, with some seemingly believing the accusations hold merit.
It is therefore time to clarify what is really happening.
When a user in the comment section asked Langgård what exactly he meant by these accusations, he replied, “People are posting pictures of the Count with a heart.”
He was referring to a now-deleted post in the group by photographer Stefan Raduta, who had shared an AI-generated image of Burzum’s Varg Vikernes and Kanye West smiling and laughing together as they prepare to board a rollercoaster. The image was clearly AI-generated, not only because of the absurdity of Vikernes and West visiting an amusement park together, but also due to technical oddities—like Kanye’s safety vest ending halfway down his body and the Mayhem logo on his shirt awkwardly stretching across it.
The reason Raduta posted this image in the group remains unclear, but it was originally shared on his own photography page and later reposted to the group. Whether he was promoting his page or simply trying to be humorous is unknown, but his photography page has become known over the past year for sharing strange memes.
These AI images of Kanye West and Varg Vikernes have been widely circulated recently—mainly because both individuals have publicly expressed Nazi sympathies. It’s particularly absurd considering that West, a Black rapper, has praised Hitler and shown support for Burzum, while Vikernes has expressed disdain for Black people. Despite this, the two have found some bizarre common ground, with Vikernes having approved West’s use of Burzum samples.
Langgård, however, appears to have missed the satirical tone and is now threatening the festival with closure if anyone shares images of Varg Vikernes in the Midgardsblot group. But the idea that Langgård could shut down a festival simply because someone posted a picture of Vikernes is highly unlikely. One can only imagine how such a report to the police would be received. Even if the accusations had any real basis, law enforcement would not get involved.
Nevertheless, such accusations can still be damaging. They can result in a loss of public support, sponsors may pull out, and collaborators may distance themselves.
Langgård did receive some support in the comment section. User Ask Keyden wrote:
“You should read up on the alt-right/fascists’ extreme romanticisation of our Viking culture and wake up. This is being brought up because right-wing extremism has been on the rise over the past 10 years.”
That point is valid. However, Midgardsblot has made its stance clear and is not responsible for what individual users post in its Facebook group. In fact, two members of the Nordic Resistance Movement were expelled from the festival several years ago. The festival has taken a firm position against Nazism, making the current accusations all the more absurd—especially when they stem from someone sharing humorous memes of Varg Vikernes and Kanye West.
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