Oslo Blog Gathering’s grand opening was the Mayor’s reception at the City Hall. Blog friends from all over the world brought a small gift from their homeland, since it also happens to be the Mayors birthday. He said he had not received that many gifts since he’s 5th years celebration. Her you see some of the participants in front of the city hall:
After the Mayor’s welcome speech, it was my turn to return the favour with some words: “Our Dear Mayor, Oslo Blog Gathering participants, and associates;
They say that Oslo is the city with a big heart, and you dear Mayor, participating in this reception is certainly proof of that. Even on your own 55th birthday you are here to welcome my guests from around the world with open arms. In the five years I have been blogging about Norway, our culture, traditions and habits, I have lots of regular readers who have become curious about our country, find us a bit exotic, and wanted to come and visit. I have also tried to explain about our open and transparent society. I have told the world about our accessible politicians who hear our individual voices, and you are now an excellent example of this.
I also wish to express my thanks to VisitOslo for their contribution as well as the gathering’s hub, First Hotel Millennium.
I’m proud of Oslo city and I know you are too. To me it is a dream comes true that I am able to give my blog friends, from all around the world, a taste of what we have to offer. Again, thank you dear Mayor for receiving us and letting us have a look at the heart of Oslo, our lovely city hall. I’m sure our participants will share some of their adventures from today and their expectations in the rest of the program with you.“
Then we had a great time enjoying the food, the drinks as well as a nice chat with the Mayor (click all pics to bigify and enjoy):
We also were lucky enough to get a guided tour in the city hall: Located by the waterfront, with Fritdjof Nansensplass on the inland side. It’s open to the public, with a spectacular main hall featuring huge murals with typical Nordic social democratic themes. Its characteristic architecture, artworks and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony makes it one of Oslo’s most famous buildings. There are also some displays of historical artefacts in the side rooms upstairs and we where in the Munch-room with a beautiful view of the harbour and Oslo Fjord:
The day however started in the morning at reception in OsloBG’s HUB; The First Millennium Hotel, where we all meet for a guided tour: Highlights of Oslo:
Let me just give you a short memo from the bus tour which started with a round trip in the city when the guide gave a short overview and description of the towns history:
Our capital and largest city in Norway was founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway and largely destroyed by a fire in 1624. The Danish-Norwegian king Christian IV rebuilt the city as Christiania. In 1925 the city reclaimed its original Norwegian name, Oslo. The diocese of Oslo is one of the five original dioceses in Norway, which originated around the year 1070.
Oslo is the cultural, scientific, economic and governmental centre of Norway. It’s also a hub of Norwegian trade, banking, industry and shipping as well as an important centre for maritime industries and maritime trade in Europe. The city is home to many companies within the maritime sector, some of them are amongst the world’s largest shipping companies, ship-brokers and maritime insurance brokers.
We also had some short stops to some sightseeing:
The Vigeland Sculpture park:
Some of us gathered by the Angry Boy; the most tourist photographed object in Norway. We had an excellent guide who gave a wonderful introduction to Vigeland’s beautiful work of his life (you may read more about it in my post: Olga the travelling bra clothing statues Vigeland Park:
The Holmenkollen ski jump:
20 minutes by tram, on the hill behind the central city, you’ll find Norway’s number one sports icon: The Ski Jump: is host to the world’s oldest notable ski jump competition still in existence.
Since then the capacity of the stands has been increased to over 50,000 people and the jump has been extended 18 times, last time in 1982. Today’s tower extends 60 meters above ground, and 417 metres above sea level. The current record of 139.5 meters was achieved by Andreas Kofler of Austria on 14 March 2010. I was there at that time and can recall you’re memory from my post: “Holmenkollen Ski Jump preparing for OSL2011
This time we went to the very top and here is the view (unfortunately in rainy weather):
Bygdøy Island & the Museums:
We ended up passing the Museums at Bygdøy (click the links to read my earlier posts:- Like the Kon-Tiki Museum, which shows all year long the legendary expeditions of Thor Heyerdahl. The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. Viking Ship Museum as well as Norwegian Maritime Museum and the ship Fram, used by Roald Amundsen.
OsloBG – The show will go on:
This was just a short report from the first day. The show will go on for two more days, so stay tuned!
Carnival in Mariestad Sweden gives a Scandinavian taste of Samba and Rio de Janeiro: parades with scantily clad beautiful “Brazilian” women and fantastic costumes. Most customs and celebrations are actually of pre-Christian origin; Fertility and the budding spring were celebrated. The first celebration may have taken place around 600 BC and a trace of the major parties is found in Osiris in Egypt. There were also major carnivals in the Roman Empire.
You get the same feeling when our vacation home city changes its name for the day to MaRioStad. My wife DianeCA and I, on our way to the city centre for a romantic dinner, accidentally came across the parade and I just had to capture the fun and share it with my blog friends. Luckily I always have my Nokia X6 mobile phone on hand:
Carnival is nearly synonymous with Rio, but that is not the only place. On the contrary, it’s celebrated throughout most of the world, especially in Catholic countries. Other major carnival cities include e.g. Verona, Nice, Lisbon, Verona, Cologne and Lisbon. People are preparing for months, saving money for the big party. In Mariestad there were huge expectations and everyone turned out so the sidewalks were full (click pics to bigify & enjoy): People with big expectations – all over!
Although Rio’s is today’s carnival capital, this celebration has it’s origin in Europe. The ancient Romans had large rallies in the street, where they among other things, drew a boat with them. There was plenty of food and drink and a grand feast for the occasion. In the middle Ages, carnival was to some degree celebrated in Scandinavia, but this celebration disappeared with the Reformation in 1537. I think it’s good that this tradition is reborn in Mariestad and with a cute, local twist: Willy’s Steamboat float – Pippi Longstockings Colourful clowns – What about a rolling rock band, now that’s rock n roll Fancy cars and pretty girls
Before I end, let’s get back to the samba feeling and these beautiful women (mostly) and fantastic costumes:
I also had to check out the video feature on my new Nokia X6 – here you are: Turn up you’re speakers and let you’re feet lead the way:
One thing that is wonderful about Mariestad is that whenever something is happening in town all the locals turn out for the event. This time the weather was good and the atmosphere was energetic. Since this was our last week of the summer vacation in Mariestad, I think it was a smashing end to our stay – don’t you agree?
The Classic Car Rally followed by a show and Old Ox Memorial in Mariestad, Sweden, is an annual tradition that draws participants and spectators from near and far. 100′s of vintage vehicles, cars and motorcycles are driven through the town and parked to be admired at Karl’s Holme (the “People’s Park”). This year, in the fantastic weather, the park was very popular (click photo to bigify and enjoy): People admiring the cars & enjoying a sunny day with fellow enthusiasts in the park.
It happens every first weekend in July, the start of the summer season when our charming vacation home town Mariestad attracts many tourists. It’s called The Pearl of Vänern (Northern Europe’s biggest lake) and a popular stop for boat travellers from all over Europe entering the lake through the Göta Canal. The park is close to the lake and the harbour (click for a closer look): On the left photo – in the background: the harbour filled up with boats.
Of course there are locals and visitors from all over Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia for that matter – including our Norwegian “colony”. The interest for cars and motorcycles; old and new, large and small, fast and even faster are shared by everyone at this show. I have to admit, I am not at all an expert, but I sure can enjoy some of the beauty (which I tried to capture the best I could – again, click for a closer look): Young & 0ld – Small & big
Mariestad’s Vehicle History Society:
The rally and show are arranged by this association (in Swedish; “Mariestads Fordonshistoriska Sällskap”) and their chairman gave an introduction and described some of the cars:
From their web page, I have translated some wise words (at least I think so): The history of the total 1900s is in many respects been a century when technology captured our culture. Communications sector, i.e. road traffic and rail expansion and aviation became tangible evidence of an expansive development in an important part of a growing society. The car to drive, as well as motorcycle created an existence where the concepts of freedom thrived. The technology was developed. Vehicle models saw the light, disappeared, and were replaced by new more modern and more efficient designs. From different parts of the world cars and motorcycles reached us and would be preserved as cultural treasures.
I sum up this post with a couple more picks:
Next week my father in law will be joining us from New York. This show reminds me of him as he has a classic car and loves attending the big shows. This is a good example of how modern technologies, in this case vehicle, intertwine our cultures and cause the world to grow in the same direction. People from different parts of the world have a shared cultural existence because of technology, just as we share existence through blogging and social media; it’s a win – win situation, don’t you think?
The historical, cultural and Royal event when Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will marry Daniel Westling in Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan), is of course to be mentioned since my blog is about Norway and the Nordic countries. I mean after all; Norway is Sweden’s closest neighbour and friend and so are our Royal families too.
A non Royal husband or wife?
When Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Mette-Marit became engaged there was much discussion; was it appropriate for an heir to the throne to marry a person who was not royalty. Now you have the same debate in Sweden and some wonder if Daniel Westling is appropriate for Victoria. To me it actually seams like it strengthens the Royal’s position and the fact that we both have a Kingdom in our countries.
When The Norwegian government invited to dinner before Crown Prince Haakon’s wedding in 2001, the Crown Prince held a direct and humble speech:
“Few things in life happens by chance, at least not that Mette-Marit came into my life. The more I got to know her, the more I realised that and therefore we wanted to live a life together. I do know that our choices have not been as easy for everyone else. A fact I just have to respect”, he said, and also was thankful for all the support they’d got.
Bridesmaid Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway:
Ten young bridesmaids and page boys are taking part and three of them are the Crown Princess’ godchildren.
Further more, as future monarchs themselves; Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, both 6 years old, are to be bridesmaids, while Danish Prince Christian, age 4 1/2, will be a page boy. So, there will be a lot of young children playing a part in this wedding. It certainly should be a sight to see!
This is Princess Ingrid Alexandra (see photo to the left – borrowed from ScanPix) biggest public appearance so far in life and a special reason for Norwegians to closely follow the ceremony of course
The biggest Royal event?
500 million TV viewers across Europe are expected to watch the 2 million € spectacle in Stockholm’s specially renovated cathedral. Stockholm’s airport has been renamed for the occasion, as Official Love Airport 2010. The wedding comes after a lengthy struggle by Princess Victoria to persuade the royal family to recognise her relationship with a commoner.
Folk Music and Dance in Bunad at The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History – The Folk Museum – was on the program. In beautiful warm summer weather, my wife DianeCA and I had another quality time and as always we love to share with. I’ll get back to this great, Open Air Museum later – now let’s get straight to some cultural highlights from Norway:
The Bunad:
A Bunad is our traditional costume, typically of rural origin and local to different districts. It’s a result of both cultural evolution and organized efforts to discover and modernize older patterns. The designs are elaborate, with embroidery, scarves, shawls and hand-made silver or gold jewellery – both for men and women.
It’s common to wear Bunad at various celebrations, such as: Weddings, 17th of May National Day and even accepted as proper gala attire in recent years – so its use has reached far outside folk dancing and music.
Norway Folk Music:
Unlike many other European countries, Norway has an unbroken folk music tradition. Instrumental music is most commonly played on the fiddle or on the Hardanger Fiddle – Harding Fele – which is considered the national instrument of Norway. The Harding Fiddle is a violin with four or five sympathetic strings. It is beautifully decorated and is constructed somewhat differently from an ordinary violin. The traditional music with its associated dances has resisted all the changing fashions of music through the ages and is today firmly embedded in the country’s culture. In contrast to many other countries, this type of music and dance has never fallen entirely out of use and in many parts of the country an unbroken tradition still lives on:
Since it has been passed along continuously from generation to generation, there has been no need for a folk music revival. Norway has a strong and active body of folk musicians and dancers. This, together with in–depth research and professional collections and archives, has meant that the variations and dialects have been retained and developed into a rich variety of both music and dance. They start very young – as a true reflection of the Norwegian soul itself – and we saw the most adorable troupes:
Live Folk music and Dance:
Besides taking a lot of pics, I also shot some vids with my new Cannon G11. I’ve edited them all into one video– a potpourri – and hope you enjoy it and get an idea of what I’d like to share through this post:
As a visitor, you will not search in vain for the exotic and folklore–inspired image of Norway in which music, song and dance emerges directly from the landscape – wild and mysterious.
Experience for yourself at OsloBG: Read more about this Folk Museum on my post: Lefse and rural farmhouse from Norway. Also read my wife’s review of the same day: Folk Dance and living history at Norwegian Folk Museum.
This museum is located at Bygdøy Island – 20 min by boat on the fjord from Oslo. Here you also find: The Viking Ships Museum, Norway Maritime Museum and Kon Tiki Museum.
Remember also; with the Oslo Pass, included in the Oslo Blog Gathering, you get free boat transportation and free entrance. This island is TorAa’s old stomping ground, as he was born and raised on Bygdøy so I am sure he will be happy to give you a personal tour around the island and tell you some of its little secrets during the gathering.
