February 28th, 1873, was the day Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen first wrote in his notebook that he had observed rod-shaped bacteria in samples from patients affected by leprosy. The bacillus in question was later given the name Mycobacterium leprae—leprosy’s causative agent. The discovery is a watershed moment in the history of leprosy and global health—a scientific breakthrough that had enormous consequences.

The anniversary of Hansen’s discovery will not be used to glorify the past. Rather, we take this opportunity to critically assess past achievements, take stock of the situation today, and address the future steps needed to rid the world of this ancient, misunderstood, and treatable disease.

What has happened since the discovery of M. leprae in Bergen 150 years ago, what is happening now, and what does the future hold? How is this history preserved, how it is communicated, and why is the history of leprosy important to its future?

Program:

• Welcome remarks
  Prof. Margareth Hagen, Rector, University of Bergen
• Messages from special guests
  Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization
  Dr. Lia Tadesse, Minister of Health, Ethiopia
• The deep history of leprosy in Norway – social and cultural history
  Ms. Grete Eilertsen, Curator, Leprosy Museum, Bergen
• Feidie’s lamentation (song)
  Mr. Lars Foss Sørhus, Actor, Bergen City Museum
• Discovery: Context and consequences
  Prof. Lorentz Irgens, Emeritus professor, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen
• Hansen’s trial: Legal perspectives
  Prof. Henriette Sinding Aasen, Professor, Faculty of law, University of Bergen
• Preservation of material history
  Ms. Stine Dornfest, Conservator, Bergen University Museum
• Bergen Leprosy Archives
  Mr. Yngve Nedrebø, State Archivist, Bergen State Archives
  Ms. Gina Dahl, Librarian, Bergen University Library
• Testimonies
  Mr. Kofi Nyarko, President, IDEA Ghana
  Ms. Paula Brandão, Coordinator, Morhan Research Center
• The decendants today
  Mr. Abbi Patrix, Storyteller and Armauer Hansen’s great grandson
• Message from WHO Goodwill Ambassador
  Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination/ Chairman, The Nippon Foundation
• Armauer Hansen today & Welcome to the June conference
  Prof. Gottfried Greve, Vice-Rector, University of Bergen
  Prof. Per Sigvald Bekke, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen