There’s no snow in Norway’s capital as the Christmas holidays set in, just another example of how nothing seems to be like it should be this year. Lots of traditions, from large family gatherings to concerts and even Christmas Eve church services, have to be cast aside because of the Corona pandemic, and downtown Oslo […]
A ‘different’ May 17th remained festive
May 17, 2020
SEE THE PHOTOS: This year’s celebration of Norway’s annual Constitution Day holiday on the 17th of May will go down in history for its cancelled parades, scaled-down ceremonies and Corona virus-induced social distancing. It remained festive in the capital, though, as Norwegians made the best of a difficult situation. Spirits were definitely raised when the […]
Corona postpones ‘russ’ party season
April 29, 2020
Norway’s infamous “russ” season, normally a time when many high school students celebrate graduation with wild mass partying and bizarre rituals, has been postponed by the Corona crisis. While more than a few Norwegians can look forward to sleep better at night this spring, some reckon that the time is ripe to finally end the […]
Empty urban spaces illustrate the crisis
April 7, 2020
PHOTO FEATURE: Spring has arrived in the Norwegian capital, where sidewalks, outdoor cafés and other public spaces would normally be packed with people out enjoying the sunny weather. Oslo is instead experiencing an urban emptiness that shows how the Corona virus crisis has created an economic crisis as well. Karl Johans Gate is Oslo’s main […]
Royals adorn ‘real’ homes nationwide
December 31, 2019
PHOTO FEATURE: So much for all the recent hype about uncluttered Norwegian design, architecturally spectacular homes in Norway, and criticism of the Norwegian monarchy. A new book offers rare insight into how Norwegians really live, and how affection for the royals through generations is reflected in homes from north to south and in between. The […]
Ski season opens after surprise snow
November 18, 2019
PHOTO FEATURE: The lakes aren’t frozen yet, but skiers in many parts of Southern Norway got a welcome surprise after lots of snow fell both before and during the weekend. Trailblazers made their winter debut, in the middle of autumn for a change. Caution is still needed and it may be awhile before skiers can […]
Army joins schools’ friendship dance
October 1, 2019
VIDEO: It started with school children and spread all over Norway this year: Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK)’s annual friendship dance. Even the Army has since joined in, claiming that the dance’s promotion of integration and inclusion meets its own motto of “Respect, responsibility and courage.” The project, which is also part of an anti-bullying campaign, resulted […]
Remote Røst rides out the storms
August 9, 2019
PHOTO FEATURE: It takes a certain amount of effort to get to Norway’s remote islands of Røst, which lie around 100 kilometers off the mainland and well above the Arctic Circle. It’s worth it, for anyone wanting to experience a small but sturdy community that’s rich in maritime history and surrounded by dramatic scenery, one […]
Vintage vessel gets new berth in Bodø
July 7, 2019
PHOTO FEATURE: After decades of battling the elements outdoors, Norway’s last surviving vessel from a vital part of its maritime history has finally won a new and much more worthy berth in the northern city of Bodø. Visitors can now experience the vessel, known as a jekt, from all angles inside a brand new museum […]
Magic moment for Norwegian skiers
February 10, 2019
Maybe training with the Norwegian military’s special forces last spring helped downhill racer Kjetil Jansrud after all. He skied, at any rate, to the World Championship in the men’s downhill over the weekend, while his longtime mentor Aksel Lund Svindal skied to what could only be called a fabulous end to a brilliant career. Jansrud […]
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