The Queen of Norway debuts her artistic works at the Jacob Hansen House in Helsingborg Thursday. Attending the event was King Harald V, Crown Prince Haakon and Sweden’s Queen Silvia.
Click here for more photos at Dagbladet.no
The exhibit, “Under Great Pressure” features eight of Queen Sonja’s graphic designs. She teamed up with Kjell Nupen and Ørnulf Opdahl for this project, and created the eight designs based on the duo’s photographs of Svalbard. The Queen is among eighty artists who contributed to this project.
Her Majesty has long had an artsy side, even having a photography exhibit in 2009.
“I am proud,” said King Harald after studying his wife’s art.
Even son Crown Prince Haakon was impressed. “It is very fine work,” he said.
The purpose of this exhibition is to mark the 40th anniversary of the renowned graphic studio Ateljé Larsen. Sonja’s cooperation with Kjell Nupen and Ørnulf Opdahl is to set up an art scholarship in her name. That scholarship will be first distributed in the summer of next year.
October 20th was Global Dignity Day 2011, and in numerous schools around the world, students marked the day where the treatment and respect for others is held in high regard.
Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon was one of the founders of Global Dignity, and he spent the day at Oslo’s Stovner High School, which was one of the 150 secondary schools in the country participating. The Crown Prince was with the two other founders of Global Dignity, Finnish Professor Pekka Himanen and chairman of Operation Hope, John Bryant of the United States.
During a school assembly, the trio encouraged the Stovner students to be leaders and to remember, as Bryant told them, “it all starts with you, if you do not respect yourself, you do not respect others.”
In return, the students told the Global Dignity founders about their experiences of dignity.
The principal at Stovner was pleased that Haakon, Himanen and Bryant came to his school. “Dignity is a very relevant topic in school life. We want to focus on the dignity and see that Dignity Day fits well into the school’s existing approach work. The day has made its mark and I’m sure this has an effect on students’ working and social environment,” said Roald Olsen.
Below is a thank you video from the Global Dignity founders:
Monday was a celebratory day in Norway, as the country marked 150 years since the birth of its national hero, Fridtjof Nansen. All year long, there were celebrations for the polar explorer, diplomat, researcher and Nobel Peace Prize winner, and yesterday saw the climax.
Click here to see more photos at Daylife.com
At the University of Oslo, King Harald V, Queen Sonja and the Crown Princely couple took part in a memorial for Nansen. The King gave a speech which praised the late great Norwegian.
“Fridtjof Nansen’s scientific, diplomatic and humanitarian life’s work was buoyed by an extraordinary faith in his own abilities, but also on other opportunities.
“Through his tireless commitment was Fridtjof Nansen, a moral superpower in the League. Nansen’s passport says a lot about the confidence of his name had built up in the world community.” said Harald.
“For all this and more, we are each and every one of us need to thank him. Fridtjof Nansen makes us proud to be Norwegians. He makes it an obligation to be world citizens.”
The King also stressed the monarchy’s link to Nansen. It was he who persuaded Danish Prince Carl to come to Norway to be its King as the country was dealing with independence. Nansen was also a mentor towards the then Crown Prince Olav, the current King’s father.
This commemoration ceremony was attended by many with links to Nansen’s achievements, including Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Red Cross representatives and explorers of Antarctica. There was a musical performance by Thine Things Helseth.
In the evening, the Norwegian royals held a banquet at Akershus Castle.
Fridtjof Nansen once skiied in Greenland, explored both the North and South Poles, and brought attention to famine and displaced peoples following World War I by being High Commissioner of Refugees for the League of Nations. The latter is what gave him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.
Nansen died on May 17th 1930 and he was remembered not just by royalty, government officials and scientists, but also those he helped and influenced.
While some European governments are looking at budget cuts, it appears Norway has plenty to spend, especially for its royal family.
According to TV2, the Norwegian government has proposed the increase payment for the regal couple – King Harald V and Queen Sonja – by 336,000 kroner. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will receive 280,000 kroner more.
The money is meant to cover the royals’ expenses and maintenance of their homes.
In addition, the Royal Court will see an increase. In order to cover maintenance and refurbishing of palaces, the court will get 146 million kroner. This is also needed to fund the monarchy’s operations.
His Majesty King Harald V opened the 156th Parliament session Monday. With his wife, Queen Sonja, and his son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon, at either side of him, the King read a speech which officially opened the Stortinget.
Click here to view a gallery at Zimbio.com
The first few lines of his speech had Harald discuss the July attacks in Oslo and Utøya by a radical right-winger.
“The Norwegian people responded by defending democracy,” the King said in a speech that was written for him. “Out of the pain grew a strong popular desire for unity, openness and participation.
“In the most critical hours and days our country has experienced since the Second World War, the people took responsibility for our values and showed the way forward. It strengthens democracy. Meanwhile, the tragedy affect people and society for a long time.”
Then the monarch went on to discuss what the Parliament will do about the response towards the attacks, such as how the police and emergency teams reacted to the bombing in Oslo and the shootings on Utøya.
“There will be a need for measures to strengthen our security and emergency preparedness. In addition resulted in terror attacks 22 Jul. significant additional costs in several areas. The Government will come back with proposals concerning allocation changes as a result of the attacks 22 July, beyond the proposals already submitted.
“Government will balance the need for appropriate security and safe emergency response to a common desire for continued closeness between the Norwegian people and key actors in society.”
From there, King Harald discussed what the Stortinget will do for this political year. He highlighted how jobs is a main focus, with the goal of having Norway with the lowest unemployment rate in Europe.
Other issues important to the Stortinget is to make Norway a major player in the fight against climate change, as well as dedicating the country to being one of the best welfare societies.
As he ended his speech, the King pointed out what his government will do in terms of law making and presenting reports on the state of Norway.
Once King Harald completed declaring the Parliament opened, a member of Parliament then spoke to give a State of the Union, followed by an outline of what the government achieved last year.
Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa, began a two day state visit to Norway Wednesday. He arrived with his one of his wives, Tobeka Zuma, and they were welcomed in Oslo by the royal family. The purpose of Zuma’s visit is to strengthen ties with Norway and convince its business leaders to invest in South Africa.
Click here for more photos at Daylife.com
The President and his wife spent the first part of Thursday going through the ceremonies that go with Norwegian state visits. There was the playing of the national anthems in Palace Square, followed by a review of the honor guard by Zuma and King Harald V.
The royal hosts and their guests then went inside the palace to pose for the media and exchange gifts. President Zuma gave Their Majesties a small leather stool and three traditional clay pots intended for drinking beer. The King and Queen in return gave Zuma and his wife a book on Norway and a large glass bowl.
Later, the King and Queen Sonja brought the Zumas to the National Monument at Akershus Fortress to lay memorial wreaths. They also took them to Oslo Cathedral and the Nobel Peace Center.
President Zuma then met with Prime Minister Jans Stoltenberg for talks.
In the evening, there was a state gala dinner in honor of the South African President and his delegation. Both King Harald and President Zuma gave speeches touting Norwegian and South African ties.
The next day, while the President met with Norwegian politicians and business leaders, Queen Sonja brought Tobeka Zuma to Ullevål University Hospital, where they met with its cancer treatment team. Mrs Zuma was briefed on how the doctors tackle cancer in Norway, which has seen its survival rate grow by 68%
Trade between South Africa and Norway increased by 21% between 2009 and 2010. Since 2006, the two nations have worked together on environmental issues.
Ten years ago on this day, August 25th, Norway’s heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, married Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby. It was hailed as an historic marriage since the bride already had a child from a previous relationship. Many thought the union would hurt the monarchy. But instead, Haakon and Mette-Marit flourished as royals and as a couple.
View gallery at Kongehuset.no
Thursday had the happily married royals celebrate a decade since their wedding. In the afternoon, Haakon and Mette-Marit went to Oslo Cathedral, the site of their nuptials. for a mass commemorating the event. Along with them were King Harald V, Queen Sonja, and Marius Borg Høiby who was four at the time of the wedding and is now a handsome teenager. Additionally, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, the two children Haakon and Mette Marit had together were as well as Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.
During the mass, Ingrid Alexandra read from the Bible though it is not known which passage she read. Crown Princess Victoria read the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, while Princess Martha Louise read from Ephesians. 14 year old Marius read from the Book of Jeremiah.
Bishop Gunnar Stålsett led the service and he had this to say to the couple:
Click here to view photos and videos.
“It has been said that marriage is a good institution for those who like to be in an institution. You live in a double institution. For you it is there not only to keep but to endure. In good times and bad. You are not afraid to show that love has remained through 10 years. You have not invited us to celebrate an idyll, but to highlight each day.”
Stålsett mentioned the tragedy that struck Norway just last month and how then Oslo was filled with love and charity just as it was 10 years ago when the Prince married his Princess.
After the service, there was a concert for Haakon and Mette-Marit in honor of their foundation which helps both Norwegians and people abroad.
In the evening, there was a dinner for the royal family at the palace.
To see videos of the mass, click here. You would have to scroll down to see each video.
Thursday saw Norway’s Prince Sverre Magnus begin school at Jansløkka School in Asker, not far from his family’s palace in the Oslo suburbs. This is the same school elder sister Princess Ingrid Alexandra already attends, and half brother Marius Borg Høiby went there also.
Click here for photos of Prince Sverre Magnus
The little Prince, who will turn 6 years old on December 3rd, was escorted to Jansløkka at noon by his parents, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and his grandmother, Queen Sonja.
At the school, there was a traditional welcoming ceremony, in which the school’s song was sang and each new student’s name was called. Upon hearing their names, the children went up to their teacher to be greeted.
Afterward, the children went inside and the media was off limits indoors.
By choosing to send their children to Jansløkka School, Haakon and Mette-Marit are breaking with royal tradition by not sending them to more exclusive schools in Oslo. Jansløkka is a local public school.
Prince Sverre Magnus is third in line to the Norwegian throne.
Next week, Norway’s future King and Queen will celebrate a decade since they married. When Crown Prince Haakon wed Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby on August 25th 2001, many were skeptical. The bride was a single mother with a drug ridden past. But since their historic marriage, the couple have become well respected in Norway and abroad due to their humanitarian works, at home and globally.
Click here to read excerpts in Norwegian
Recently, Their Royal Highnesses sat down for an exclusive interview with the Norwegian newspaper, Aftenposten and discussed their work, the monarchy, and the terrorist attacks in Oslo and Utøya last month. The journalist who interviewed them, Knut Olav Åmå, noted that two weeks after the couple’s wedding, 9/11 happened in the United States, while the Norwegian attacks happened one month before their 10th wedding anniversary.
“In the midst of the tragedy, it has strengthened the belief in the future that the whole of Norway asked themselves: What can I do to help?” said Mette-Marit. “I see a strong sense of community and a desire to help others.”
“It has been a strong meet with relatives and helpers, not least those who have exposed themselves to great danger,” said Haakon. “The celebration at City Hall in Oslo was important for many of us. It was historic that hundreds of thousands of people helped across the country. I think these markers help to create a common platform for all of us who live here in Norway. The community can we draw on in future. It was also nice to be with the ceremony in a mosque in Oslo. As I sat there, I thought that here there are many Norwegians who want to participate and build the country and society in a constructive manner in the years ahead.”
When asked about the difficulties that come with a multi-cultural society, the Crown Prince noted that debate is needed, but with mutual respect, Norway has come far.
Next, Åmå asked the royal couple how they would describe their country in 2011.
“We have a lot to be proud of when we look at the society we have created,” Haakon answered. “Norway has been lucky as a nation, and we have managed our opportunities well. Many other countries are struggling with unemployment and a very difficult economic situation. Norway is an open, rich and diverse society. We see so much when we travel around in Norway – and meet Norwegians are proud of what they receive in their communities, including through innovation and creativity, often with an international perspective.”
Learn more about Haakon & Mette-Marit here!
Haakon and Mette-Marit were then asked about royalty, monarchy and the need for symbolism in a democratic society.
“There is a large and important part of our roles,” the Crown Princess responded. “A significant part of the royal role is inevitably to rise above differences and represent what will be common to all who live in Norway. There may be one of the pieces that give this country a sense of identity. I think this unifying role is more important now, because we see a society that is developing so rapidly. As they become more tangible, unifying symbols key. They are worth it! We should not be so afraid to talk about these symbols.
“Our symbolic role is of course also superficial,” she added. “So it is convenient in our work with people to be so inspiring. As I have done to build up my expertise in HIV work, among other things, to volunteer for acceptance, a center for all affected by HIV. How can symbols be stronger. The last ten years we have gone more in depth in some areas – have begun to define what we will work very much with.”
Åmå then mentioned it has been over a hundred years since Norway achieved its independence and its people voted for a constitutional monarch. He asked Crown Prince Haakon if another referendum would be necessary for Norway again.
“It is not something I see as particularly relevant. For there are already procedures for how to change the form of the state. At the present time will not be a referendum. But listen, this is not up to us! We think it is good that there is debate about how we organize society. It is important that people are aware of what form of government we have in Norway. It would be very sad if people were not aware of it. But it is also not our debate. We have a role we want to fill in the best possible way out of our assumptions.”
“But it is difficult to lead a real debate about the monarchy and republic in Norway?” asked Åmå.
“It can be difficult to distinguish the principal from the people, yes.” replied Haakon.
Åmå asked the royals about their role in Norwegian society. He touched on their humanitarian work and they talked about their need to work with what they believe in. Mette-Marit discussed people she had met over the last decade who are committed to helping others and they motivate her to keep going.
“We want to be with and help create a generous and inclusive society in which we see each other and take care of each other,” Haakon said. “When everyone is involved and contributes, we get a better society, a more efficient society and a stronger society that people feel comfortable in and proud of. We want to be with and clarify what the Norwegian is, in all its diversity, and make us confident in our position. At the same time we are ready to look beyond national borders and take our share of the responsibility to bring the world to come. Some of the things we can do is to travel to Norway to become familiar with and shed light on different aspects of our society, working through the Crown Prince’s Fund to give a helping hand to youth who are in a phase where they need it to carve out the life they want, and work internationally to bring the global perspective.”
On Tuesday, the future King of Norway was at the World Islamic Mission Mosque in Oslo to mourn the victims of the dual terror attacks in Oslo and on Utøya island. Crown Prince Haakon accompanied the Foreign Minister, Bishop Ole Kristian Kvarme and the mayor of the city, Fabian Stang, that night and although he didn’t make any speeches, his presence spoke volumes to those in the packed mosque.
View images at Daylife here.
“76 Lives were lost in this tragic act,” said Imam Najeeb Naz, who had greeted Haakon and the others. “Cynical killings of young people with a future ahead of them. The unthinkable became reality. These lives have been lost in vain. An already good and harmonious Norwegian society, we will do even better.”
“Today, an entire people, across all the lines a modern society: geography, generation, politics, religion – come together. Not to get all the answers, but to draw strength,” said Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who also quoted passages from the Qu’ran.
Store pointed out that Norway was constantly changing and that could not be stopped. He emphasized the country’s stance on democracy and tolerance.
Ironically, the mosque is across the street from the prison where Anders Behring Breivik, the man who committed the dual terror attacks, is being held.
On Friday, the Norwegian Royal Court published on its website the numerous condolences sent to King Harald V from around the world. To read the condolence letters (some in English), click here.
Recent Comments