The 26th annual American Independence Day 4th of July celebration in Oslo’s Vigeland Frogner Park was a grand success! The American Coordinating Council of Norway (ACCN) arranges this celebration every year and we just love to participate. Like Norway’s Constitution Day the 17th of May, a national holiday is in many ways like a family reunion. Then it’s easy to imagine – living abroad – the feeling of being homesick on such a day, but those who were in Frogner Park really seemed to consider Oslo their “home away from home”. No wonder when you look at the keywords in the invitation: Great Food – Family Entertainment – Crafts – Book Sale – Bring Your Friends – Fun for everyone – Raffle with fantastic prizes including 6 Round-Trip tickets to the U.S.
Or if you look at the girls in the top left who willingly posed when I was hunting for some “Typical Americans” ; -)
So my American wife and I were there and with my Nokia N8 at hand, I’ll gladly share some highlights with you – starting at the grand opening on the stage (click pic to bigify): Left: Marine honour guard presenting the American flag – Right: Guest of honour: deputy mayor Mrs. Aud Kvalbein gives her speech.
Diverse booths were set up giving information and special offers to Americans abroad and Norwegians as well, like this one manned by the US Embassy. The opening ceremony was begun with a speech by the American Ambassador to Norway, Barry White (beside him is his wife Eleanor) and of course I had to greet him and thank him for sharing one of his lovely citizens with me!!
American food feast:
Before I show you some photos, here is the menu: Hamburgers • Hotdogs • BBQ • Chili • Ice Cream • Yogurt • American Lutheran Church manned the Coca Cola stand • American Women’s Club dished up lots of great America cookies • Sons of Norway offered waffles & sloppy Joes (not together thankfully) • Plus lots more goodies to feast on! We stood in the very long line for homemade, handmade freshly grilled cheeseburgers – fantastic! Hamburgers left – sloppy Joes right Cookies and ice tea
Street Cars Norway:
Once again this year, Street Cars Norway had an exhibition behind the stage and Thomas Følling (SCNs President) awarded prizes in 7 categories – Lucky one: a place in Oslo Motor Show 2011 in October!
An impressive exhibition I would say and quite American too – or what do you think: First a panoramic view – then: …….
…… some of the beauties in details ; -)
The atmosphere was truly an American 4th of July celebration with all the trimmings. There were lots of happy families everywhere with good music and good food, plus fun for all ages. It was apparent that many American families feel themselves at home in Oslo. We finished off the day in our traditional way with Diane’s grilled ribs, corn on the cob and lots of grilled vegetables. I want to wish all my American friends and family a Very Happy 4th of July!
Bob Dylan is in Norway again! Thursday at a concert in Oslo Spectrum, the 70 years old legend proved that rock and roll never gets old and that you are never too old to rock! He is a cultural mirror of musical and cultural history and a walking soundtrack to many, especially us in the 68-generation. So attending this magic musical event was truly another quality time with my wife and you’re welcome to join in this review. I had my Nokia N8 at hand of course, trying to capture the moment (in quite a long distance and difficult lightening) – let’s start with the anticipation; a sold out crowd waiting for their idol to take the stage:
We didn’t exactly get the best seats in the house, but they were perfect for a panorama view – enjoy!
As he enters the stage, it is impossible to not to like rock culture. The sound is solid and clear, and style of the music takes us back to the decade before the evening’s legend had his breakthrough – something that comes with the beat generation. Again, here is a (long distance) peek:
It has never been easy to understand all the words when Dylan sings his style is very different from mainstream musicians, and of course age has made his voice even more rusty : -), but if you know the lyrics, one is ready to absorb the variety in tone, sound, rhythm and even time in his unique repertoire – here is the list:
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (1966) – It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (1965) – Things Have Changed (2000) – Tangled Up in Blue (1975) – Beyond Here Lies Nothing (2009) – Simple Twist Of Fate (1975) – High Water (for Charlie Patton) (2001) – Tryin’ To Get To Heaven (1997) – Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum (2001) – Desolation Row (1965) – Highway 61 Revisited (1965) – Forgetful Heart (2009) – Thunder On The Mountain (2006) – Ballad Of A Thin Man (1965) – Extra: Like A Rolling Stone (1965) – All Along The Watchtower (1967) – Blowin’ In The Wind (1963)
We had never been to a Bob Dylan concert before and decided to take the chance now. We were impressed by the variety of the music being most familiar with his top hits from the late 60s and 70s. We were surprised by the bluesy feel of his newer music, and the advanced composition of the music. We saw for us the folk singer with his guitar and harmonica when we ordered the tickets, what we got was a much more complex varied and mature musical experience then we expected.
Souvenirs – a t-shirt?
Both outside the concert hall as well as inside, you could buy Bob Dylan effects of course and I guess the t-shirts were the most popular:
I was tempted of course and so was my wife, but 300 NOK (38 €) was a bit expensive we thought. However on the way out the street venders had reduced their price to 100 NOK, and with a bit of haggling we finally arrived at the price of 50 NOK (about 6 €) discretely exchanged so the others in the crowd didn’t see what I paid.
Bob Dylan is a must hear more than a must see, and especially to hear him live in concert. So if he happens to tour in your local area, give yourself a chance for a magical evening with a living legend and get the proof: Rock and Roll never gets old and that you are never too old to Rock!
Summer Solstice, St John’s or St. Hans or St Mark’s Eve, Cornelis Vreeswijk and Jesus Christ Superstar in a long Norwegian summer night, is a perfect combination for a midsummer celebration. In Oslo (60° North) we have 19 hours daylight and placed as close to the Arctic Circle, it doesn’t actually get dark at all. This calls of course for a joyously celebration, in Norway. St Hans Eve (Sant Hans aften) is normally celebrated around a bonfire; done to bring prosperity and luck as well as protect the home on what was believed to be the longest day of the year. My wife and I celebrated in a more cultural way this year – at a concert at Akershus Fortress called:
In the Light of Cornelis: Cornelis Vreswijk (1937 – ’87) is undoubtedly one of Scandinavia’s greatest musical artists of all time and has become relevant again from the movie “Cornelis“. Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby played the role of the legendary Swedish troubadour in the film, and at Midsummer night Husby together with Vreswijk’s son Jack, held a concert using the music from the movie and interpret some of his songs in their own way. It took place in a historical and geographical landmark on Oslo harbor, at Akershus Fortress (see pic to the left) built in the 1600s. The location, surroundings, architecture and atmosphere on a long summer night in Oslo, were perfect. This panoramic photo, taken with my Nokia N8, is from about 10PM:
There were beautiful arrangements with acoustic guitars, strings and subdued production and I could not resist trying to capture some of this magic moment with my Nokia – with photos and even some movies – to share with you. I hope you enjoy the scenery and music in the edited movie – even if the language is Swedish – although since Husby is in fact Norwegian, some Swedes may object to that last statement ;- )
From Jesus to Cornelis:
Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby has gone from hell to heaven and back again. From the time he was front figure and singer of Turboneger, under the name Hank von Helvete, singing hard rock and struggling with drug addiction, until he went clean and checked himself into a rehab clinic in Sweden. He then made a strong come back in the role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Now he meets again another kind of underground when he debuted in the film role as the beloved, Swedish-Dutch troubadour Cornelis Vreeswijk: Left: Husby after the concert – Right: Husby in Jesus Christ Superstar
Cornelis came from Holland to Sweden at the age of 12 years. He bought his first guitar in 1954 and released his first album – Ballader och Oförskämdheter – in 1964, including the famous Ballad of Frederick Åkare and Cecilia Lind. His life was influenced by alcoholism, drug use, multiple marriages, imprisonment and economic problems, as well as a brilliant musical career. He is considered one of Sweden’s greatest poets and artists, in line with Carl Michael Bellmann and Evert Taube. Left: Hans.Erik and Jack – Right: Capture from my movie
Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby’s interpretation of Cornealis’ music was an interesting combination of the two artists, both nostalgic in the old melodies, and new in the at times more rocking presentation of the music. Since we have seen Husby in both rolls, as Jesus Christ superstar and Cornealis it was interesting to compare these two rolls and forms, and we enjoy his versatility and changeability from different types of music. The setting at Akeshus Fortress was the top of the cream in this St. Hansaften celebration and the perfect ambiance for a summer concert on one of the longest days of the year.
One of Norway’s most beloved sculpture artists, Skule Waksvik, uses natural motifs; animals and voluptuous women. Sculptures by Waksvik; a deer, a moose, a penguin or maybe one of his luscious ladies, may be found all over the country – and even abroad like in Bremen, Abidjan and Singapore. The statues are placed mostly in public areas within local communities, like street corners or business centers. Born in 1927, Waksvik made his debut as early as in 1948 and has even been awarded The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav (the Norwegian equivalent of being knighted) for his work.
I have admired his art around the capital city of Oslo and even have a selection placed in our neighbourhood just 100 meters from our home. Today I had the privilege of meeting the artist himself while visiting an exhibition at Harald Kjeldaas Gallery. A very friendly, modest, down to earth man gave us a guided tour around and shared some of the ideas behind his work: Waksvik, me & “Eva after the fall” “Luscious bathing beauty” & to the left: “Showoffs” – right: “Family as a building set” Left: “Shoo cat” – Right: The Fox family
In contact with nature:
In the 60s Waksvikv started collaborating with Selvaag (a major residential builder in Oslo area). Of about 400 sculptures that Selvaag invested in and placed out in his residential areas over the next 40 years , almost half were Waksvik’s work- He praises Selvaag for having made sculpture a part of everyday life:
When Waksvik so often depicts animals, it is because he “would like to contribute to modern urbanites maintaining contact with the nature we come from.” Bronze animals are to be seen in gardens and parks, on sidewalks and places all over the country – luckily one of these installations is in our neighbourhood – the photo above. Since my blog is about the significant four seasons, let me show you the same instalment in winter time:
Lady in red & at the wharf:
Two other rather famous sculpture of Waksvik is displayed at Aker Brygge on the Harbor of Oslo City. This area which was earlier a shipbuilding wharf is now a shopping and entertainment center on the lovely fjord. I have taken photos of this sculpture many times; one of them some days ago – the other in fact, is among my most viewed photos on Flick’r. Left: “Summer Lady” – Right: “Lady at the wharf”
It was a pleasure to meet this artist himself and get an idea of what kind of person he is, the thoughts behind his work, how he works and the variety of his art. Since these statues are placed right in our own back yard I feel a personal connection to his work, and the themes also fall into my personal taste, enjoying both women in their natural forms, and the nature all around us. This was a magic moment for me and I hope you get an impression of this talented artist from my post.
Oslo’s oldest marketplace, from the early 1600’s when the capital of Norway was called Christiania, holds the Old Town Hall (1641) – today, a restaurant and museum – and the city’s oldest building (1626). This town square, originally a water station, is where today you find the fountain monument with the Glove of King Christian IV. This Glove symbolizes the King’s words, when he declared: “The new town will lie here!”
The square is part of the city that Christian IV (the King of Denmark-Norway) founded after a major fire in the older part of Oslo in 1624. This is therefore the oldest existing district of Oslo – called Kvadraturen (The Quadrature) – and was until the city limits were expanded in 1794 the only non –military buildings in Christiania; placed right behind Akershus Fortress and therefore easier to defend. A panoramic photo of the square circling around the fountain monument.
The Old Town Hall:
There’s nothing modern about this dining establishment and patrons, including myself, come here for a nostalgic experience. Housed in Oslo’s former Town Hall (“Det Gamle Rådhus”) stands as one of Oslo’s oldest restaurants. With the interior adding to the authenticity you can get plenty of traditional Norwegian dishes. Their specialities include fish entrées as well as deer, moose, beaver, game birds or other from the Norwegian fauna. Last time I was there, I had a blog friend visiting from Singapore (click to read the post!). Hope you get the idea both of the building and interior from these pics (click to bigify & enjoy): Left: Yellow building = Old Town Hall – Right: Authentic interior.
Rådmannsgåren = House of the City Manager:
Oslo’s oldest reminding building was constructed for the City Manager Lauritz Hansen, who some years later also led efforts to build the Old Town Hall. It has two floors, with exterior walls of Dutch bricks. The estate in the Renaissance style, is mostly red cup yellow pages and running pages, and shifts are added so that the walls are red and yellow stripes (left building): Left: Rådmannsgården – Right: Old City Hall
The Anatomy House:
One of the few remaining houses in Oslo, built with the timber framing method. In fact about 50 % of the buildings in this area were half-timbered in the middle of 18th century. The façades (brick walls) of the building are sanded and covered with layers of protective rock materials, so the timbers are only visible on the gables (left building):
The age is unknown, but the house is likely to be from the 18th century. It is conserved, like the adjacent Rådmannsgården. In the 19th century, the Faculty of Medicine of University of Oslo had its division of anatomy here – hence the name Anatomigården (= “The Anatomy house“).
I hope you enjoyed this historical look at one of the charming old experiences you can have in Oslo. I am proud that we are careful with our history so future generations can appreciate the craftsmanship and culture of days gone by.
The 26th annual American Independence Day 4th of July celebration in Oslo’s Vigeland Frogner Park was a grand success! The American Coordinating Council of Norway (ACCN) arranges this celebration every year and we just love to participate. Like Norway’s Constitution Day the 17th of May, a national holiday is in many ways like a family reunion. Then it’s easy to imagine – living abroad – the feeling of being homesick on such a day, but those who were in Frogner Park really seemed to consider Oslo their “home away from home”. No wonder when you look at the keywords in the invitation: Great Food – Family Entertainment – Crafts – Book Sale – Bring Your Friends – Fun for everyone – Raffle with fantastic prizes including 6 Round-Trip tickets to the U.S.
