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Date Published: 21/02/2024

Alfas Norwegian legend Johan Galtung dies aged 93

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UN international conflict resolution mediator and “ambassador” for l'Alfàs del Pi, Johan Galtung, has passed away

Alfas Norwegian legend Johan Galtung dies aged 93

Norwegian sociologist and expert in mediation and conflict resolution, Johan Galtung, who was a beloved figure for many decades in the Spanish town of l'Alfàs del Pi, has died in his hometown of Oslo, Norway at the age of 93.

Born in 1930, Galtung became a doctor of Mathematics in 1956 and of Sociology in 1957, specialising in Peace Sciences, mediation and conflict resolution.

Galtung first came to l'Alfàs del Pi in 1960, and since that moment he always maintained close ties with the town in Alicante province, buying a second home there and spending lots of time in the town.

Although he was a celebrated international conflict mediator – consulting for the United Nations and authoring more than 150 books and 1,600 articles translated into more than 30 languages – he was known and loved by his neighbours in l'Alfàs because of his approachability and humility.

There is even a park named after him in the town, the Johan Galtung Peace Park, which is located in front of the Norwegian Cultural Centre and where the sculpture Paraboloid by Agustín Ibarrola stands in memory of the victims and relatives of the terrorist attack committed on July 22, 2011 in Oslo and Utoya.

Whenever he had the opportunity, Johan Galtung always spoke of his love for l'Alfàs, “a city of peace and an example of coexistence”, which has a large Norwegian population and where he would stop to rest whenever his busy schedule allowed him to do so.

The mayor of l'Alfàs del Pi, Vicente Arques, conveyed his condolences to family and friends of Johan Galtung, saying “We regret the loss of one of the best ambassadors of l'Alfàs”.

He also recalled one of the sociologist’s profound sayings: “We have neither money nor bombs, but we do have the strength of good ideas.” This was one of his constant and daily demands, “to work harder until we convince with the strength of good ideas.”

Johan Vincent Galtung (October 24, 1930-February 17, 2024). Rest in peace.

Image: Ayuntamiento de l'Alfàs del Pi

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