Tens of thousands of Norwegians have descended once again on the country’s southern coastal town of Arendal for a week of political, social and cultural debate along with lots of socializing. This year’s Arendalsuka is especially important, as it kicks off the country’s short but intense national election campaign.
“Arendalsuka helps keep the political debate going,” Arendal Mayor Robert Cornels Nordli told newspaper Dagsavisen. “We contribute to openness and offer a place to express our opinions and listen to and understand one another. There’s such a wide range of diversity here.”
The annual gathering began in 2012, inspired by a similar event in Sweden known as Almedalsveckan on the Swedish island of Gotland. It’s been an important meeting place for Swedish society for more than 50 years, like Arendalsuka (literally, “The Arendal Week”) is now.
This year’s gathering in Arendal is bigger than ever, with a record number of events on the program: More than 2,300, up from 2,140 last year. It’s all free of charge and offers a venue for the general public to meet top politicians, business executives, the leaders of various national organizations and government ministers among others.
“Here you can meet major players on the street, have a cup of coffee together and talk about what’s important to you,” Nordli said. “I think it’s unique and fantastic.” There’s always a certain degree of lobbying going on, but also grass-roots political activism.
Norway has managed to preserve what Nordli calls “relatively short distance” between decision-makers and the people, and that’s what Arendalsuka wants to help nurture and maintain. It’s not unusual to see a casually dressed prime minister or major business leaders stroll along the streets and among all the stands set up by political parties, humanitarian organizations and various causes, seeking contact with others.
The event is demanding for the small city but backed by enthusiastic volunteers, community leaders and other local citizens. Since there’s a lack of hotel space for everyone coming to Arendal, many local residents rent out or offer space in their own homes to help house all the visitors. “We handle all the logistics by having very good cooperation with those living here, building owners, emergency and security services and transport firms,” the mayor added. “Last year the local bus company set up 1,100 extra routes to handle the demand.”
Most important, though, is how organizers highlight what Nordli calls “our most important values, freedom of expression and democracy.” They’re under intense pressure elsewhere in the world, where the tone of political debate has also become harsh, even violent, not least in the US, which used to set democratic standards.
“I hope and think that Arendalsuka will continue to take the pulse of our debate and our democracy,” Nordli told Dagsavisen. “We’ll continue to help make that happen,” he added, stressing how neither freedom of express nor demoncracy “can be taken for granted.”
NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund
