Editing Harald Fairhair (section)

==In popular culture==
[[File:Haraldshaugen.JPG|thumb|left|The 1872 monument to Harald at [[Haraldshaugen]].]]

===In Norway===
Harald Fairhair became an important figure in Norwegian nationalism in the nineteenth century, during its struggle for [[Dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden|independence from Sweden]], when he served as 'a heroic narrative character disseminating a foundation story of Norway becoming an independent nation'.<ref>Torgrim Sneve Guttormsen, '[http://revistas.jasarqueologia.es/index.php/APJournal/article/download/59/61 Branding local heritage and popularising a remote past]: The example of Haugesund in Western Norway', ''AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology'', 1 (2014), 45–60 (p. 47).</ref> In particular, a national monument to Harald was erected in 1872 on [[Haraldshaugen]], an ancient burial mound at the town of [[Haugesund]] then imagined to be Harald Finehair's burial place, despite opposition from left-wing politicians. The German historian [[Jan Rüdiger]] concluded that: {{blockquote| His compelling narrative has survived scholarly scrutiny almost unscathed - or rather, professional historical knowledge based on a century of source criticism coexists with [[Snorri Sturluson|Snorri's]] unscathed narrative in the sense that in the 21st century both are "true" in a completary, non-completive way. As unifier of the kingdom, Harald rests under a 'Viking' memorial site of burial mounds and memorial stones near his royal court at [[Avaldsnes]] in the [[Western Norway|Westland]], precisely the region that first caught his attention in Gyda, and whose conquest at the [[Battle of Hafrsfjord]] has been regarded as the keystone in the unification of the realm ever since Snorri. Harald Fairhair will always be the first king of Norway.<ref>Rüdiger, Jan, "All the King's Women: Polygyny and Politics in Europe, 900–1250", Translated by Tim Barnwell. Brill, Boston 2020 p.24.</ref>}}[[File:NO18 6-07 Haraldshaugen 01 Wiki (IMG 3299 5456x3636a oToW).jpg|alt=Haraldshaugen Monument is a stone column on a hill raging into the blue sky|thumb|Haraldshaugen Monument (June 2018)]]

The claim to Harald has become important to the development of the tourism industry of Haugesund and its region:
{{blockquote|today, King Harald Fairhair is associated with several archaeological sites where modern monuments and theme parks (obelisks, towers, sculptures, 'reconstructions' of ancient houses/villages) are constructed and where various commemorative practices (jubilees, rallies, festivals) are being performed. The Viking hero Harald Fairhair has become part of a vital re-enactment culture, which is evident in, among other things, a memorial park in central Haugesund with the erection of a statue of Harald Fairhair ... the performance of a Harald musical ... the building of 'the largest' Viking ship in the world ... the establishment of a theme park based on the Viking concept, and a historic centre where the mythology of King Harald is disseminated ... The main initiators behind these commemorative projects in the Haugesund region today are, as it was in the 1870s, local commercial entrepreneurs who are nourished by local patriotism.<ref>Torgrim Sneve Guttormsen, '[http://revistas.jasarqueologia.es/index.php/APJournal/article/download/59/61 Branding local heritage and popularising a remote past]: The example of Haugesund in Western Norway', ''AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology'', 1 (2014), 45–60 (p. 54).</ref>}}
In 2013, commercially led archaeological excavations at [[Avaldsnes]] began with the explicit intention of developing the local heritage industry in relation to the Harald Fairhair brand, provoking a prominent debate in Norway over the appropriate handling of archaeological heritage.<ref>Torgrim Sneve Guttormsen, '[http://revistas.jasarqueologia.es/index.php/APJournal/article/download/59/61 Branding local heritage and popularising a remote past]: The example of Haugesund in Western Norway', ''AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology'', 1 (2014), 45–60 (pp. 54–55).</ref>

===Elsewhere===
* Fairhair (Viking Kings of Norway #1) - A Viking historical fiction about the boy who set out to be the first king of Norway. Written by Ole Åsli and Tony Bakkejord (expected publication: 1 November 2022).
* In the television show ''[[Vikings (2013 TV series)|Vikings]]'', a character broadly based on Harald (named Harald Finehair in the series) appears in seasons 4-6 (2016–2020) as one of the main protagonists and is portrayed by Finnish actor [[Peter Franzén]].
* In the 1984 film ''[[When the Raven Flies]],'' the antagonist Vikings Thordur and Eirikur are refugees from Harald's conquest in Norway. Thordur is particularly paranoid about Harald's retainers following him to Iceland, which the protagonist Gestur uses against him.
* The German power-metal band ''[[Rebellion (band)|Rebellion]]'' has a song dedicated to Harald Fairhair, from the album ''Sagas of Iceland''.
* ''[[Leaves' Eyes]]'', a symphonic metal band from Germany, wrote the album ''[[King of Kings (Leaves' Eyes album)|King of Kings]]'' about Harald and his conquests.
* In the video games ''[[Crusader Kings II]]'' and ''[[Crusader Kings III]]'', Harald Fairhair is a playable character during the 867 start date.
* Harald Fairhair is mentioned in the manga series ''[[Vinland Saga (manga)|Vinland Saga]]'' as the tyrannical unifier of Norway.
* Harald appears in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'', a video game by [[Ubisoft]].
* He's briefly mentioned in the 2014 film ''[[Northmen: A Viking Saga]]'' as the reason why the main characters are fleeing from Norway.
* In the 2010 video-game expansion pack ''[[Mount and Blade: Warband]]'''s Viking Conquest expansion Harald (as Harald Halfdansson) appears as the faction leader of Northvegr (Norway).
* In the 2022 film ''[[The Northman]]'', Fjölnir said to have driven into exile by Harald of Norway. The film is set between in 895, making it a clear allusion to Harald Fairhair.