Alexander Rybak with Fairytale won Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 so Norway hosts the arrangement this year. Oslo, our capital, is the arena and it has been hard not to notice what’s going on this week. As an example; When I came back from a trip to Brussels on Wednesday, there where posters and decorations everywhere: Poster at the gate. Decorations at the baggage collection.
Airport information desk.
The World’s biggest event:
The Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s biggest non-sporting live TV event, has a strong household name amongst hundreds of millions of people in Europe. Every year, more than 100 million in over 45 countries watch the program. Famous former participants includes Julio Iglesias, Olivia Newton-John, Céline Dion, ABBA, Johnny Logan, Alla Pugacheva, Secret Garden, Philip Kirkorov, t.A.T.u., Lordi as well as Patricia Kaas. This contest also saw the birth of Riverdance, which started as an interval act at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, then took the world by storm, and became one of the most successful dance shows in history.
The show has of course been broadcast throughout Europe, but also in Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Korea, New Zealand and the United States, even though these countries do not participate. In 2010, the format will be launched outside of Europe so that various other parts of the world will be introduced to the concept behind the show.
55 Years of Hits: From Volare to Fairytale:
I’ve searched for the biggest hits resulting from Europe’s favourite TV-show since 1956. Here are a few:
1958: The first song was surprisingly not a winner, but a song that only came 3rd: Volare 1967: Sandie Shaw proved to be victorious in Vienna with Puppet On A String, securing the first win for the United Kingdom. 1970; Dana achieved the first of seven victories for Ireland with All Kinds Of Everything, also becoming a hit in countries such as Malaysia, South Africa and Australia. ABBA: Arguably the biggest hit ever resulting from a Eurovision Song Contest is of course Abba’s Waterloo in 1974 in Brighton. There is hardly anyone these days who doesn’t remember Abba’s spectacular performance that year! Johnny Logan: His first of three victories came in 1980: What’s Another Year, followed by Hold Me Now, in 1987 and as a composer in 1992. He is the only person who won as a performer more than once. Norway: Three times; 1985: Let it Swing – 1995: Nocturne and of course (the reason why Norway is hosting this year): 2009: Alexander Rybak singing Fairytale
2010 Slogan -> “Share the Moment”:
When I met Hans-Tore Bjerkaas, General Manager of NRK (Norwegian Broadcast Cooperation who is producing this year’s show), at VisitOslo’s Conference in March, he presented their concept for the show and the slogan: Share the Moment:
We want to share the Eurovision Song Contest, rather than just broadcast it, One particular thing that makes this such a unique event is the fact that it’s the only time of the year in Europe that almost 200 million people are doing exactly the same thing, at exactly the same time.
Every year, hundreds of television professionals, artists, song writers and composers Share the Moment at this event to jointly deliver state-of-the-art entertainment television. Thousands of journalists and fans do the same to report on the event and to enjoy the international atmosphere, in watching the biggest entertainment event of the year in Europe, together with their friends and family. Who gives the best performance…. Who wins….. How will “our” song do this year?
It is quite fun to be living in the country arranging the event this year. I have to applaud the planning of the event. It has gone very smoothly and not caused traffic chaos or disturbed the local society. At the same time there have been a lot of public events to get us all in the spirit (see my wife’s adventure at the semi final). It also makes me happy of course to know that on Saturday night 200 million people will have their eyes focused on Norway! Make sure you tune in and share the moment with us! Please comment and tell you’re experience with this event too!
VisitNorway gives a free 10 days trip to those who submit the best Norway inspired content. Yea, you read me right; you can get a trip to Norway and experience some of it’s attractions throughout the whole country for free! This information is pretty much exclusive to readers of my blog as the competition doesn’t even go live yet! So I’m giving you a heads-up to spend some time coming up with the best, weird and wonderful content – a great opportunity to show case your creative talents and see Norway like never before!
Norway Your Way – the competition: They are looking for creative people from 5 different markets (UK, Germany, Italy, France and Russia), to submit Norway inspired content, which could take the form of a; video, poem, picture or even a recipe – anything that has been inspired by Norway. The important thing to remember is; the content doesn’t necessarily have to be a video of Norway (although it could be) – it just needs to be something really creative that has been inspired by Norway. The more individual pieces one submits and the higher the quality, the more votes you will get and the higher the chance there is of winning of course!
The competition opens on the 7th of June, when you can start submitting. Once the content is uploaded, you will need to get your friends/family etc to vote for the best content – like a simple thumbs up thing. The competition runs for one month until the 6th of July and the winners will be announced around the 16th of July.
Carpe Diem – Seize the Day! It’s a great opportunity for five lucky people to find out why Norway is one of the best countries in the World to visit. They will be picked (one from each market) to go on this tour of Norway for 10 days, undertake a number of activities, which could be anything from working with a local school, through to abseiling, sailing etc.
It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone super creative and really passionate about travel and at the same time sharing their adventures in all kinds of Social Media!
Why “Norway You Way” on RennyBA’s Terella?
As my regular readers know my blog is about Norway and its culture, traditions, habits and history. Therefore I was very excited when VisitNorway asked if I would help spread the word about this contest. I am happy to do anything which allows others to learn about and experience my homeland.
Please don’t confuse this event with our Oslo Blog Gathering 2010, where my blog friends from all over the world will meet for a special gathering. There you will meet VisitOSLO at our information stand which will give the participants good advice on the local area and activities. Be sure to register if you haven’t already and join the fun!
The Russian Nikita Norkin’s exhibition of interpretation painting in Oslo, Norway, was art up close sensational to me. As my business life and networking often bring me in contact with very interesting people, my wife DianeCA and I was invited to the opening of an art exhibit by Gallery E966. The artist describes the exhibit as follows; The most important paintings in modern art exist in both private and public collections scattered throughout the world. This art makes a good attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable and presents a large collection of interesting interpretations of the world’s most renowned painters. Let me give you some example before I go on (click pics to bigify & enjoy):
Meeting Nikita was a fascinating experience, and through his curiosity and eagerness, I too became curious and learned more about his work, and the works which inspire him. This collection cuts across time and place by allowing inspiration not only by great Western European artists like Picasso, Degas and van Gogh, but also eastern and south American artists like Guayasamin, Kadinskij, and Goncharova. Art works which I was not familiar with before the exhibition.
In addition I received an extraordinary inside view of details which I myself never noticed in masterpieces I am familiar with such as Munch’s Scream and Madonna.
The exhibition presented more than 50 colourful interpretations painted in a naive style. It is important to understand that the works are not copies of well known paintings but rather a journey through the art process through Nikita’s eyes. He shares his interpretation and learning process with us by allowing himself to be inspired by his favourite pieces.
The collection fascinated me, and the artist fascinated me even more. It was interesting to get private guided tour from the artist himself and see his development as he tells about the process from the first painting to the last. The total collection represents a lot of work from the artist, and I admire his seemingly limitless imagination and originality. He is truly a brave soul, as he is able to dream large and colourful dreams, have high ambitions, and is not afraid to bring those dreams and ambitions into life.
Nikita is free like a mustang, able to run with his brushes across the open horizon and make it his own. He is a strong artistic soul, who seems almost a bit shy when you meet him, however if you are interested in his speciality he will open up and share his thoughts and artistic process with you. He gives me the impression of being both strong and vulnerable at the same time, and with a warm and easygoing personality as well.
The house in which the exhibition was held was truly a perfect match for this collection. This more than 100 years old pearl of a wooden home was donated to the Red Cross and now houses the local volunteer center:
The atmosphere was relaxed, charming, and traditional complete with lovely old fashion furnishings and decoration. Located in a modern housing area on the western side of Oslo it stands out from its surroundings with its old fashioned charms and invites one to escape from the hustle and bustle of urban city life. The building was as unique as the collection within it:
Allow me also to introduce Nikita’s wife Svetlana, and tell you that this is one example of people you will meet as they will attend at the Oslo Blog Gathering in August. I have had contact with Svetlana for many years through my work with the Norwegian Computer Society as she is an IT professional who specializes in Knowledge Management. All four of us at the exhibition.
She helps her husband by taking care of the organization and publicity of his artwork, leaving him to use his creative energies on his art. But she is not without her own artistic talent, as she enjoys both music and cooking. I can assure you they are both excellent chefs. I have been to a “Russian evening” at their home several years in a row, and always look forward to the experience.
If you would like to meet interesting people from all over the world, like Svetlana and Nikita then the Oslo Blog Gathering 2010 is for you! You see it is not only meant to be an Oslo experience as it is a human experience where we will meet and be acquainted with interesting people from all over the world. If you have been inspired by Nikita’s art and would like to purchase a piece, please indicate in you’re comment to this post or join us at OsloBG and ask Nikita for one!
Norway’s Constitution was signed the 17th of May in 1814 by an elected National Assembly at Eidsvold outside of Oslo. 33 of the delegates were chosen from the army and the navy, 25 from the cities and 54 from the countryside. Because of the long distance, the northern part of Norway had no delegates. On the same day the Constitution was signed Christian Fredrik (from Denmark) was elected king of Norway. He reigned only a few months, and then the throne was handed over to the Swedish king, Karl Johan, the 10th of October 1814. For almost 100 years, until 1905 Norway was in a union with Sweden.
The day usually starts with a flag-raising ceremony at a nearby school, church or governmental building. Then, pupils join in the Children’s Parade, while adults watch and cheer from the side-walks. All the schoolchildren in the whole country march with the Norwegian flag in their hands and colourful banners, which represent their school or their class, in front. You may read more about the marching band at my wife DianeCA’s post. Marching out from the school with the Principal in the lead (to the right) in his bunad.
Many countries celebrate their Constitution or Independence, but opposed to these – as you can see in the photo above – the Norwegian celebration has no reference to military power. Norway’s National Day is a day of flags, parades, speeches and bands playing the national anthem; “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (Yes, we love this country). The concept is simple, a local celebration regardless of the weather, with classmates and neighbours showing their national pride in a peaceful and harmless way. You may hear the band play the national anthem and learn more about the school celebration from my post by clicking here.
My vid from a Happy parade in 2006 on a slightly rainy day:
I have now posted about the 17th of May for five years in a row, so we will use my earlier posts as a way of highlighting this year’s. So be sure to click on the links to learn more.
Norway’s National costumes – “Bunad”:
You will notice that many are wearing their regional costumes called Bunad. Each region of Norway has its own Bunad and those which use it wear the costume from the area their family roots come from. Last year we met a very nice Norwegian family dressed up in their proper Bunad, and I could not resist asking them if they would pose to illustrate how the family’s traditional clothes should be. This is a fine example of the traditional costume for both adults and children:
The Bunad is artfully hand embroidered and must be made from the correct wool material with the traditional pattern. Some areas allow you to choose variations of Bunad, but the rules are relatively strict in order to keep the tradition in tact. If you have Bunad then the 17th of May is the high time to use it. In addition it is used for weddings, baptismal, and very special occasions.
When the activities in the school-yards are finished, the festivities continue in the centre of town, where people from all over the area meet. Here there is a new parade with different organizations marching. All kinds of organizations are represented; the scouts, soccer teams, folk dance groups, religious organizations, and bands. This one in our local town is called the flower parade, and flowers are thrown out to the onlookers by the participants (click picks to bigify & enjoy): Some of the locals have even decorated their classic car for the event, while others have decorated their scooter.
You may see a review of this parade by clicking here!
Russ – The revelling Norwegian high school graduates:
The graduates have a special place in the 17th of May celebration. Throughout the month of May they celebrate the end of the high school years with numerous parties and funny tasks which they must do to get a knot in the tassel of their hats. One of the rules is that they have to wear their Russ uniform everyday without being allowed to wash it:
A modern addition to this celebration is the Russ Bus. Students get together and work hard for a year or two to save up money and pool it together into buying, decorating and equipping a bus for the Russ season:
The bus is literally a rolling party, with loud music, lights and Russ only allowed inside. Although this might seem like a party mentality, it is also a learning experience for those who join a bus (not all do!) because it requires saving, planning, working on a concept, working towards a goal and project management to get the concept “rolling”. You may read more in my article about the Russ by clicking here!
So I do hope understand the special feeling I have when I am able to share this tradition with you. It is the most Norwegian of the Norwegian, and I am proud to be able to introduce it to family and friends through out the Blogsphere. If you have been inspired by this post, and would like to see some bunad and learn our history on your own, remember we still are taking bookings for the Oslo Blog Gathering in August. Join us and you can march down Karl Johan street yourself!
Norwegian fish, especially salmon is popular and shipped in large quantities to Russia, Europe, North America and Eastern Asia. Fish is Norway’s 3rd most important export after oil/gas and metals. Some reasons I guess is that Norwegian waters are of the least polluted in Europe, and the coast has numerous river systems that are full of with North Atlantic Salmon.
The best is to eat it yourself though and when my American wife DaneCA – who is and excellent chef – came into my life, she started to make the most delicious seafood dishes. Today we enjoyed one of them;
The recipe – Salmon Au Gratin:
No measurements but the dishes ingredients are 4 salmon fillets, tomatoes, onion, leek, carrot, celery root, white wine, mushrooms, cream, dill, a dash of garlic salt baked in the oven for 30 minutes – then topped with cheese and shrimp and browned for 10 more.
The serving is ready – DianeCA’s Salmon Delight with rice:
The dish with a glass of white wine – Bon appétit:
Fish Farming in Norway:
My initial info and remarks make Norway perfect country for farming Salmon too. Actually fish farming is Norway’s second largest industry, and provides jobs both within and outside of the country. Thus Salmon is the flag ship of the Norwegian fish farming Industry and may of course are prepared in numerous ways; You may eat it dried, as a snack, smoked, marinated, salted, cooked, fried or baked and can even make an excellent sushi! Recently Salmon Caviar is fast growing in popularity – some even think it’s better than Russian caviar.
So how about you; have you eaten any Norwegian salmon lately? If so, in what way – or do you wish to try some of my wife’s specialities?
Here are some posts from our earlier fish delight dishes:
-> Rakfisk dish as traditional fish delicacy from Norway
-> Olga experience seafood delight in Norway
-> Rainbow trout fish dinner delight
-> Norwegian Sea Food dinner
When I met Hans-Tore Bjerkaas, General Manager of NRK (Norwegian Broadcast Cooperation who is producing this year’s show), at VisitOslo’s Conference in March, he presented their concept for the show and the slogan: Share the Moment:
