VisitOSLO and Oslo Municipality invited all to a free “Tourist for a Day” to explore the city. The Purpose; getting acquainted with the many exciting museums and attractions of the Oslo area, but also experiencing how it is to get around using public transportation. My wife DianeCA and I took the opportunity as part of planning for the Oslo Blog Gathering (OsloBG) in August and we gladly take you along:
The Oslo Pass:
Everyone who showed up at Oslo City Hall got a free Oslo Pass for free entrance to museums, attractions and public transportation and in addition a discount on a number of restaurants and shops.
A drawing contest for children:
As part of the event, all primary school children in Oslo were invited and the winners were announced today in the Oslo City Hall (click to bigify and enjoy!): VisitOSLO’s CEO and the Vice Mayor awarding the prize in the City Hall
Like I said, my wife and I participated as part of preparing for the Oslo Blog Gathering (OsloBG – read more at the end of this post) and took the chance for a chat with this CEO and the Vice Mayor to tell how much we appreciated their support- and we got the time for a picture too: From Left: Tore Sannerud, RennyBA, Aud Kvalbein and DianeCA
Information stands:
Many local tourist services presented opportunities to try their products. Here you see DianeCA at Oslo Guideservice who offered a free walking tour which we participated in with great interest (see my report below):
A rebus puzzle:
As a complementation, the Oslo Guidebureau invited to a six question puzzle within walking distance from City Hall. Here are some examples of the posts: Left: The Nobel Peace Center – Right: Inside, the peace garden.
Left: Ice Bar Oslo – Right: Meeting Henrik Ibsen at the Parliament.
A walking tour of centre Oslo:
Like I’ve said, Oslo Guideservice invited to a two hour walk with one of their guides and here is a look at some of the spots on the tour (click to bigify): Left: Statue of Peter W. Tordenskjold (1691 – 1720, a naval officer) at Akershus Fortress -
Right: Aker Warf (shopping, finance and amusement centre).
Left: Ruins of the old town – Right: Oslo’s oldest building (1626)
The National Theatre:
Opened in 1899, it’s a home to the dramatic Norway arts and use of the language on stage. The desire to establish a theatre for Norwegian dramatists and stage artists constituted a natural part of the country’s national development and its separation from Sweden around the beginning of the last century. The statues of Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson still take a place of honour in front along with Ludvig Holberg and as you can see, they are engraved on the front of the building.
Oslo Blog Gathering 2010 (OsloBG): This “Tourist in your own city” program gave a lot more options to Oslo’s major cultural institutions of course: A way to familiarizing with one of Europe’s leading networks of public transportation above and below ground – and on the stunningly beautiful Oslo Fjord, free entrance to all other museums, attractions as well as discount on a number of restaurants and coffee bars.
However, it’s impossible to cover it all in one post. The VisitOSLO CEO told me that about 7,000 participated last year. At the Oslo Blog Gathering, the principle is the same and then you even have three days to explore the city and surroundings. Go check out the Official Program site and book the program fee (Oslo Pass is included) to join bloggers from all over the world!
Click for my wife DianeCA’s post from today’s adventures: Always in new and other prospectives!
Traiana Columna or Column built in Trajan’s Forum in Rome, inaugurated on 12th of May 113, is one o f the best preserved monuments of antiquity – erected “for eternity”. It is to be admired at the National History Museum as a copy, brought into being by archaeologist Emil Panaitescu’s – the director of the Romanian School in Rome at that time.
When I was in Bucharest at the museum last weekend, I become aware of that it tells a lot about this country’s history and why it’s called Romania. With some of my photos and a bit of research, I gladly share it with you. Let’s start with the base of this monument:
Romanian History:
Romania is situated in Central Europe and its territory is marked by the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube and the Black Sea. With its temperate climate and varied natural environment, which is favourable to farming, the Romanian territory has been inhabited since time immemorial.
The territory of today’s Romania was inhabited as early as 513 BC by the Getae or Dacians, a Thracian tribe. Under the leadership of Burebista (70-44 BC) the Dacians became a powerful state which threatened even the regional interests of the Romans. Julius Caesar intended to start a campaign against the Dacians, but was assassinated in 44 BC. The Dacian state sustained a series of conflicts with the expanding Roman Empire, and was finally conquered in 106 AD by the Roman emperor Trajan, who defeated Decebalus. Faced by successive invasions of the Goths and Carpi, the Roman administration withdrew in 271.
All of this and a lot more are told as history engravings from around the monument. They are reconstructed at the museum, so let me give you some examples: A group of low rank Dacian warriors beg for mercy to the merciless Emperor Trajan
Dacians returning to their homes
Different people from other kingdoms (or empires) lived with the Romanians, such as the Gothic Empire (Oium) from 271 until 378, the Hunnish Empire until 435, the Avar Empire and slaves during the 6th century. Much of Romania fell under the First Bulgarian Empire during the 9th through 11th centuries. Subsequently Magyars, Pechenegs, Cumans and Tatars also raided and settled in the lands to various extents. Let me give you some other photos from the museum to exemplify (click to bigify and enjoy): Left: Chimney crowing from the Walphard – Right: Funerary Lion at Micia, Hunedoara County.
Modern Romania since 1989:
The Ceauşescu couple, fleeing Bucharest by helicopter, ended up in the custody of the army; after being tried and convicted by a kangaroo court for genocide and other crimes, they were executed on December 25, 1989. The events of this revolution remain to this day a matter of debate, with many conflicting theories as to the motivations and even actions of some of the main players. It still shows at the Revolution Square where I took some photos too: Ceauşescu lifted from the top left of this building.
In December 1991, a new constitution was drafted and subsequently adopted, after a popular referendum, which, however, attracted criticism from international observers who accused the government of manipulating the population and even of outright fraud. A new constitution which took effect October 29, 2003, follows the structure of the Constitution of 1991. However it made significant revisions, among which the most significant are extension of the presidential mandate from four years to five, and the guaranteed protection of private property. Presidential and parliamentary elections took place again on November 28, 2004. In 2004 Romania joined NATO and then the European Union (EU), alongside Bulgaria, on January 1, 2007.
The photo to the left is kind of a monument symbolising the past and the present: The pyramid of victory as a part of the Revival’s Memorial – Eternal glory to the Romanian revolution and it’s heroes from December 1989.
So this is my last post from my wife DianeCA and mine’s trip to Bucharest last weekend. I hope you’ve enjoyed us taking you along and you may read the other three here:
About our culinary adventure – Bucharest in Romania a city of architectural contrasts – and Bucharest People or Parliament Palace in Romania.
I also recommend that you read DianeCA’s post from our trip too – in quite a different but interesting prospective: Bucharest, Romania in Spring!
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Oslo, arranged by The Norwegian Irish Society, has become a big event. St. Patrick died on 17 March (c. 387 – 493), after being Christianized Ireland. The day is celebrated all over the world where you find Irishmen – Oslo in Norway included of course – in a parade the Saturday before. This year’s Grand Marshal was Johnny Logan, who also performed at the end of the parade. Here you see him walking with the Ambassador of Ireland, Gerald F. Ansbro:
Before the parade started, I had a nice chat with the Ambassador about Norwegians established some of Ireland’s most important towns and cities (in 800-900). In Dublin, one of the world’s largest Viking museums, and both Cork and Waterford were founded by the Vikings So the Ambassador and I agreed to that The Viking era was undoubtedly the beginning of cultural exchange and trade between the two countries. Situated on the fringes of Europe with small populations and long coastlines, Ireland and Norway share many features. Moreover, both countries have developed from being poor agrarian nations to become among the richest and most modern societies in the world today. Both countries are also well known for their strong engagement in peace and reconciliation activities worldwide and for promoting UN’s role as a cornerstone for an international legal order and worldwide security system.
Enough history – lets get back to the parade last Saturday, where I went crazy with my new Canon G11 camera (click to bigify and enjoy!): From Oslo Central Station up Karl Johan, the city’s main street.
To set the right mood and an Irish atmosphere, like every other year, The Oslo Caledonian Pipe Band was playing and I shot this vid while walking among them – enjoy:
Another performance in the parade came from the girls in The Sound Irish Dance Factory and I made a movie – admit they are cute:
After the parade, there was speeches held and Jonny Logan gave a mini concert: Speeches, performers and spectators – all in the Irish spirit!
The Parade in Oslo is attractive and even people travel from Ireland to support and participate in this event. Some think the parade in Dublin has become too big and also there might be other things attracting – like to meet Mr. Logan or some real Vikings:
Tonight my wife and I will meet up with some Irish friends at The Dubliner Folk Pub in Oslo. Some from the supporting team of the Oslo Blog Gathering will be there too – so stay tuned! Here are my posts from my last two years parades in Oslo:
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History comprises a huge park containing examples of all the major folk architectural styles from throughout Norway. It’s the oldest open air museum in the world (established as early as 1894) with 158 buildings representing different regions and time periods in the Norwegian history dating back to the 16th century. They are carefully taken apart, transported from their location and put back together again on the site:
The Farmstead of Numedal; extends from the Hardanger plateau down to the town of Kongsberg.
So the placement of these buildings in relation to each other followed regional patterns. The loft and bur in Telemark were commonly placed side by side: The loft has a gallery on three sides on the upper floor and is decorated with carved floral motifs.
Not only are you able to see the houses outside, but inside it’s furnished too:
Farmhouse from Hallingdal – 1750.
Throughout the year there are activities and exhibits of all kinds, as well as various reconstructed activities of everyday life:
How about horse &carriage rides through the open-air museum?
You can participate in spring cleaning or buy authentic lefse, a kind of soft flat bread baked on the open fireplace like it was 200 years ago: Inside an old farm house, two girls were demonstrating making the dough and baking and all gets a taste:
They willingly shared the baking tradition and recipe – Hardanger Lefse: 2 egg, 250 gram sugar, 125 gram melted butter, ½ litre milk, 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 kilo flour.
Mix egg, sugar & butter and stir in milk. Mix baking powder with some flour and blend. Mix enough flour so it’s easy to roll. Bake on a griddle or a dry pan:
The Old Town part of the open air exhibition contains buildings from the 1600s and upwards. There is a Historic Playground and an old fashioned Grocery Store from the beginning of the 1900s as well:
Colonial – Milk – Delicacy
This historical museum is enjoyable for the entire family. They plan activities for the children as well, and this was always a popular place when my children were small. They loved to go in and out of these fascinating buildings, they loved to pet the horse drawing the wagon and maybe give him some hay, and they loved the children’s activities. This weekend the theme was fastelaven, or the Sunday before the Easter fast, which the Catholics call Lent. As in Mardi Gras and Carnival, the rich foods like eggs, crème and butter were supposed to be used up so we have a tradition with crème filled sweet rolls. At the museum they had mask making for a kind of Carnival experience which as you can see here the children really enjoyed!
There is a lot more to explore and learn about Norway, our culture and history: The permanent exhibits include Folk Art, first half of the Parliament, Norwegian Folk Costumes, toys and more. The Norwegian Evening is an event held here in July and August where music, traditional dance, singing and other activities take place. I hope you will join us sometime – maybe at the Oslo Blog Gathering in August??
Update: I shared this adventure with my wife – hop over and read her report too: DianeCA
The exhibition Back To The 80s in Oslo at The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is a reminder of this decade of contrasts. It helps us to understand that history is happening here and now, that there is no coincidence and that we’re going to face it again. The story is not over – and the 80’s are not yet forgotten.
Anyone remember these fashions or Miami Vice?
I was in my 30s at the time and remember much of this exhibition well. Some of us have spent almost 20 years trying to forget the 1980s. We have destroyed the images of ourselves with short hair on top and long in the neck (maybe hair everywhere, sprayed and teased up to a fur balls the size of the sun). We have sent Poco Loco-sweaters, shoulder pads and our white washed jeans to Africa. We have done our best to suppress the music that can best be described as a crime against humanity, like Kenny G’s Songbird, Modern Talking, Brother Louie or the Beach Boys’ Kokomo.
Do you still have you’re LPs and enjoy vinyl?
The girls are no longer lounging in their pleather sofas and dreaming of Pat Sharp, Don Johnson and Patrick Swayze, but they still blush mysteriously when they remember their dates at Café Checkmate with newly rich Yuppies (young upwardly mobile professional individuals) and tanned UN soldiers home on leave from the war in Lebanon.
No girls in the sofa when I was there, but I still enjoyed the Stress Less
Contrasts:
For many of us the 1980s represents a historical base point which we have partly succeeded in forgetting. But, as Bruce Springsteen sings in The Riverside from 1980; Memories come back to Haunt me. The exhibition shows that the 80s was a decade that perhaps more than anything else was characterized by sharp contrasts; between community involvement and individualism – despair and optimism as well as wealth and poverty – black and pastel, Punk Rock and dance pop and even between fear and liberation. All this was well illustrated at stands, displays rooms and furnishings:
The exhibition room at The Folk Museum.
Laughter and suspense:
While the music of pop artists was positive and upbeat, the 80s began with intense fear at the height of the Cold War, right wing politics of The Reagan administration and Margret Thatcher. Fortunately it ended with liberation, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and a completely changed political climate.
Posters of pop icons: Madonna, Duran Duran, Michel Jackson, Bonjovi and Dire Straits.
Along the way, we invented CD players and computers bread and milk became available around the clock, environmentalists who were more than hippies and a housing boom. The banks could lend us money to buy new homes. Having fun was allowed again. Here is a collection of stands that might jog your memory:
Left: Mac & Osborn (I had both!) – Right: TV & Videogames Left: Children become consumers with Star Wars and designer clothes – Right: Adults got VHF cassette players.
It was an impressive and very visual exhibition taking me right down memory lane from the decade when I got finished my college years and got my masters degree in economics, started my career as a sales trainee, had my first born – a daughter, played A-Ha’s big hit Take on Me on my record player, bought my first Volvo and experienced the introduction of micro computers (do you remember spread sheets like SuperCalc and VisiCalc or WordPerfect?). What a blast from the past.
This is an example of the kinds of exhibition you may see at The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. Here are some other earlier posts from there: Lefse and rural farmhouse from Norway and Folk Dance in Bunad from Norway.
It’s at Bygdøy island, just 20 minuets by boat or buss from Oslo, where you also find the Maritime, Viking Ship, KonTiki and even more museums. All this will be at your disposal at the Oslo Blog Gathering in Oslo in August this year. Even more: if you join us and book the Program Fee – entrance to these museums will be included! Click the logo to the left to read the program and how you can participant at a compact three days program to explore the city and Norway’s history, culture and traditions!
This “Tourist in your own city” program gave a lot more options to Oslo’s major cultural institutions of course: A way to familiarizing with one of Europe’s leading networks of public transportation above and below ground – and on the stunningly beautiful Oslo Fjord, free entrance to all other museums, attractions as well as discount on a number of restaurants and coffee bars.
