Norway’s new National Museum, still under construction on Oslo’s western waterfront won’t open next year after all. Delays in delivery of some critical “technical equipment” have forced museum officials to postpone the opening until some time during the spring of 2021. They’ve already been under criticism for closing the National Gallery portion of the museum […]
Bjørvika battle put on ice, for now
October 23, 2019
Oslo’s new city government wants to rezone the last remaining waterfront property at Bjørvika known as Sukkerbiten, to spare it from more building and keep it open to the public as a park. It marks a major, if conditional, victory for activists who strongly oppose plans to erect yet another “landmark” building in the area […]
Oslo Culture Night celebrates 15th anniversary
September 11, 2019
It’s the only night of the year when residents can gain access to special and historic buildings, enjoy museums that stay open late or take part in lots of special events from walking tours to street festivals. Oslo Kulturnatt (Oslo Culture Night) is also celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and it’s all free. Kulturnatt […]
State finally funds Viking ship repairs
September 2, 2019
Leaders of the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo could finally heave a sigh of relief on Monday, when government officials signaled release of NOK 35 million in funding for a new museum. Government ministers were also claiming that preservation of the ancient vessels housed there has always been a priority, despite dire warnings that Norway’s […]
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 […]
Still no money to repair Viking Ships
May 21, 2019
Officials at the University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural Heritage have been disappointed once again after the government’s revised state budget still provided no funding for its efforts to keep Norway’s famed Viking Ships from literally falling apart. “We are extremely surprised and disappointed that the government hasn’t found place in the budget to take […]
Postal service issues new Vigeland stamps
April 18, 2019
Norway’s postal service has issued two new stamps to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, the man behind all the statues in Oslo’s Vigeland Park at Frogner. Two of Vigeland’s most iconic sculptures were chosen for the stamps, with the angry little boy called Sinnataggen adorning a stamp for postage […]
Norway hails its sculptor Vigeland
April 11, 2019
Gustav Vigeland, billed as Norway’s greatest and most prolific sculptor, would have turned 150 on Thursday, and that’s not going unnoticed in his homeland. Oslo’s Vigeland Museum is at the center of wide-ranging, national celebrations aimed at highlighting new perspectives on the man and his art, whose sculptures still attract more than a million visitors every […]
Royals firm up ties to Chile and Easter Island
April 1, 2019
Salmon wasn’t the only thing on the menu during the Norwegian royal couple’s state visit to Chile that ended over the weekend. In addition to controversially opening doors for more Norwegian salmon-farming players in Chile, they came bearing gifts and oversaw the pending return of items taken from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) during Norwegian explorer […]
Viking ships seem saved after all
January 21, 2019
Norway’s newly expanded government has specifically mentioned in its new platform that a new museum to house the country’s famed Viking ships will indeed be built. There’s still been no specific funding allocation for the project, but University of Oslo officials are relieved. “We’ve known for a long time that we have to do something […]
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