summer. news of norway. design architecture. page 3-9. Volume 66

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1 summer news of norway page design architecture Volume 66

2 dear reader A s Norwegian architecture firms are climbing up international rankings, the people of Oslo are climbing all over a brand new opera house. The white marble mountain is our capital s latest landmark, and the building designed by Snøhetta (Oslo/New York) is getting worldwide attention for its beauty, functionality, and accessibility. (Pages 2-3) A very different project, the Norwegian Tourist Routes, is also getting its share of praise these days. In recent years, small but sensational architectural projects have been commissioned and built alongside Norwegian roads. The result is a wonderful expression of how Norwegian architects and designers are inspired by nature. An international exhibition about the tourist routes called Detour is on its way to the United States, scheduled to open in Washington, D.C., in March, (Pages 8-9) PHOTO BY MATS SILBERG S candinavian furniture design is traditionally known for sleek lines, cool colors, and natural elements. The independent Norwegian style draws on inspiration from classic models, with a special focus on simplicity, functionality, and quality. The new generation of Norwegian furniture designers brings these values with them in creating cutting-edge design for the international market. Norwegian designers may long have been known as the little sister compared to their Scandinavian neighbors. But, judging by the impressive Norwegian participation at New York s international furniture fair (ICFF) earlier this spring, that is definitely about to change. (Page 6) The new wave in Norwegian architecture and design tells a story about Norway as a nation that is forward-looking yet uses tradition and heritage to find the best functional solutions in a modern society. In this issue of News of Norway we are happy to share with you some of the exciting things that are happening in Norwegian architecture and design, both in Norway and in the United States. Kristin Iglum Consul: Press, Information and Culture Royal Norwegian Consulate General New York Royal Norwegian Embassy th. St., NW Washington, D.C (202) AMBASSADOR Wegger Chr. Strommen COUNSELOR, COMMUNICATIONS Jannicke Jaeger EDITOR Arild Strommen EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Caroline Schonheyder SUBSCRIPTION News of Norway (ISSN: ) is published by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The magazine was founded in 1941 and reaches 36,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada. For a free subscription, write or call with your name and address, or send an to subscription@norway.org 1 2 PHOTOS BY JARO HOLLAN/NINA REISTAD/TROND ISAKSEN/STATSBYGG news of norway summer 2008

3 architecture inner beauty by anne myklebust 5 W hile the exterior of the new Norwegian Opera House became a hot topic as soon as Snøhetta won an anonymous architectural competition in 2000, the interior of the building until very recently had gotten far less attention. With the opening of the building in April, that s changing already. When international media covered the opening of the opera, the interior design received as much attention as the structure itself. Little was left to chance, with every part of the building undergoing significant testing before the opening. The Norwegian Opera did several tests of the acoustics before the walkthrough, and dancers from the National Ballet practiced on the floors in March to confirm that they were optimal for pirouettes and jumps. The interior design is best described as minimalist. An artistic embellishment committee, which has overlooked all decorative aspects, was tasked with ensuring that each room complemented the overall style of the building. Among the most impressive decorative elements is a chandelier in the main concert hall, produced by Hadeland Glassverk. The chandelier comprises 17,000 glass units and hangs 52 feet above the floor. It is also an acoustic reflector, serving a crucial musical function as well as adding glamour. The artistic embellishment committee clearly strived for a cohesive style, but also played with contrasts to add drama. The best example may be the main auditorium s stunning oak panelling. Several journalist commented on the walls after the opening, including British Times Online journalist Richard Morrison: When you step into the theatre s heart in contrast to all the dazzling marble outside you are suddenly plunged into a world of oak, stained in a multitude of rich hues. It is as if a majestic tree has been embedded deep inside a glacier. I n collaboration with Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Royal Norwegian Embassy brought Craig Dykers, a partner at Snøhetta, to Ambassador Wegger Chr. Strommen s residence just nine days prior to the April 12, 2008 opening, to give an engaging presentation of the building to an American audience. Dykers focused mainly on the interaction of the building and its surroundings, but also noted the care that went into designing the interior of the building. It is telling that Dykers did not emphasize the accolades the building had received from journalists and architects, but rather spoke of the day when the public was allowed to walk onto the roof of the opera for the first time. Dykers showed pictures of people of all ages sitting and walking on the building; interacting with it just as the architects imagined they would when the first sketches were drawn in 1999 and Dykers said simply, It was an amazing day. Now that the opera has opened, and people can explore the interior of the building as well, every night has the potential to be just as exhilarating. PHOTOS 1. The facade of the newly opened opera. 2. Gallery. 3. Foyer facing main entrance. 4. Foyer and stairs to auditoriums. 5. Ballet practice room. 6. Main stage with chandelier made up of 17,000 pieces of glass

4 architecture 1 PHOTO BY SPACE GROUP by thomas aastad norwegian architects: building the future 2 3 N orwegian architecture is hitting new highs with numerous iconic buildings being built across the country by both new and more established firms. One of the more recognized Norwegian names in the world of architecture is Snøhetta, whose credits include the library in Alexandria, Egypt, and the planned WTC Cultural Centre in New York. In the UK the firm has received widespread acclaim for the 2007 Serpentine Pavilion in London s Hyde Park, which was designed by the firm s cofounder Kjetil Thorsen. In Norway, Snøhetta designed the new National Opera House (pages 2-3) which just opened in Oslo. The firm also just completed the Petter Dass Museum in northern Norway. Dass is one of Norway s most beloved poets, and the museum is built at Alstahaug, where he was the vicar from 1689 until his death in The historical importance of the surroundings made the task of determining a site and designing a new building sensitive and challenging. Snøhetta created a new site by cutting into the landscape. The cut allowed a freestanding building, which in volume balances the mass removed. This bold solution creates a fresh but respectful relationship to the historical site and allows an expressive architecture. The museum contributes to visualizing the historical span from the origin of the church to present time. 8 Norway s second largest city, Bergen, is also being treated to an iconic building by Snøhetta. The National Academy of Arts, due to be completed June 1, 2009, is built on the shore of a lake surrounded by three mountains. The new academy building will look out over the lake and the distant city skyline. In its new location, the academy will help generate urban development along the lake, and become an important symbol of the cultural life of Bergen. Preserving the existing trees and buildings has been an important aspect of the project. Parts of the existing industrial buildings on site will be used as elements of reference, mature trees will be integrated into the large entrance plaza and the old stone wall facing the road on the east side of the site is to be kept as it stands today. T he firm Brendeland & Kristoffersen was established in 2002 by young architects Geir Brendeland and Olav Kristoffersen, both educated in Norway. Their practice has won numerous awards and commissions, including social housing in Trondheim and new houses on the Arctic island of Svalbard. Their housing project for young people in Svartlamoen, Trondheim, has received interest from around the world and propelled the firm into the international spotlight. In 2007 the project was short-listed among the 40 best architectural works in Europe from , for the Mies van der Rohe Award (EU prize for contemporary architecture). In August 2007, the office was selected for the international architects panel that is going to design the Athletes Village for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Tommie Wilhelmsen, another young architect making an impact, is based in Stavanger. He wants his buildings to challenge people s preconceptions of what a house is and should be. Elements such as wind, landscape, terrain, sun, light, and climate are crucial in all his projects. Each house is a unique project which is designed for only one particular place on this earth, Wilhelmsen said. Wilhelmsen is best known for the Aurland Lookout (pages 9 & 14), which is a 50/50 collaboration with Canadian architect Todd Saunders from Bergen-based firm Saunders Architecture. The Aurland Lookout is a seamless curve of locally harvested timber that sprouts out 98 feet from the road, before cascading into a fjord. The naked eye can hardly register the wall of glass that protects sightseers from the edge of this amazing structure, which has become a landmark in Norway since its recent completion. A nother Stavanger-based firm shaping the future look of Norway is Helen & Hard, which was founded in 1996 by Siv Helene Stangeland and Reinhard Kropf. PHOTO BY INGE OVE TYSNES news of norway summer 2008

5 6 1 Like Snøhetta s Petter Dass Museum and the Aurland Lookout, Helen & Hard s mountain lodge at the path leading up to the Pulpit Rock, a cliff overhanging the Lyse Fjord, blends nature and architecture. The mountain lodge (page 16) includes 24 guest rooms, a café, a restaurant, and a conference room, and is well fitted in the environment. The main construction consists of a rib-work of doubled up massive wood elements, which create spacious public zones and individual guest rooms, as well as intimate zones along the facade. There s nothing the Norwegians like more than heading to the mountains when they have a day off. Traditional mountain cabins that have belonged to families through generations are scattered around the Norwegian landscape, with new cabins also being built at a fast rate. div.a architects, established in 1987 in Oslo, is one of the many firms asked to build such cabins. The company s design approach is within the Scandinavian tradition, a tradition that focuses on functionality, a sensitive approach to context, the use of natural materials, all with a human dimension. Their recent mountain cabin in Hemsedal is located in a planned area designated for leisure buildings. The site is close to the slopes of the ski resort of Hemsedal, allowing ski in/ski out. The chalet is built with contrasting materials: a wooden box inside a concrete frame, as architectural elements in a building with a simple footprint. F ounded by architects Gary Bates, Gro Bonesmo, and Adam Kurdhal, Space Group is a network-based firm in Oslo whose work has won numerous awards. Embracing a straightforward attitude to architecture and urbanism, and engaging both research and project development, the office approaches small and large projects with similar ambition. They won the first prize in the 2006/07 competition for the Brattøra Hotel, 4 a 380,000-square-foot complex in Trondheim, incorporating what will be one of the largest conference hotels in Scandinavia, with 400 rooms, a congress/culture hall that can hold 2,000 people, a public park, and an aquarium. Previously, the firm s V-House project, a 6,200-square-foot private residence on the waterfront of an island 16 miles west of Oslo, won first prize in both the 2005 Norwegian and European steel award competitions. Great architecture is not just found in the southern parts of Norway. The firm a-lab 7 (Architecture Laboratory) is building a museum and a cultural centre way above the Arctic Circle. The firm was founded in 2000 with the goal of producing innovative and refreshing projects by joining forces with associates from diverse professional backgrounds. When a-lab enters competitions or starts work on commissions, its members try to identify collaborators to join a project group that will lead to the best result for the client as well as challenge the a-lab employees professionally. The method works well, and is clearly visible at the planned Arctic Culture Center in Hammerfest, the world's northernmost city. The goal is to provide the city s seaside area with new functions and architectural characteristics, ensuring an attractive town center and strengthening the town s identity. The building will be Hammerfest s living room, a public and social space for all. The center will be the first building on the waterfront and will help development of the connection between Hammerfest town center and the ocean. Simultaneously, a-lab is building the Ruija Kven Museum in Vadsø, Finnmark, which is Norway s largest and northernmost county. The museum works with documentation of the Kven history (settlers who came to the area from Finland in the 18th century). The mainly outdoor museum has buildings highlighting the multicultural nature of the region, and which shows Vadsø as a fishing village, merchant town, and agricultural area. Now the museum is building a new house to tell the Kven s history, not through objects, but via various forms of media such as films and digital installations. Construction is due to start in The coming years are sure to see many more exciting Norwegian buildings in both urban and rural areas. Snøhetta Helen & Hard Brendeland & Kristoffersen Saunders Architecture Tommie Wilhelmsen a-lab Space Group 5 PHOTO: SNØHETTA PHOTO BY BRENDELAND & KRISTOFFERSEN PHOTO BY A-LAB PHOTO BY MICHAEL PERLMUTTER PHOTO BY SPACE GROUP 4 PHOTO BY A-LAB 5

6 design chair and there by silje bekeng and mats silberg N orwegian furniture designers have been perfecting their models, upholstering and varnishing chairs and made sure nothing was left to chance when preparing for the 2008 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York in May. Among more than 600 exhibitors from 38 countries, nine Norwegian furniture designers presented their works. Visitors at the fair were greeted by Inside Norway, the conglomerate of Norwegian furniture producers, as they entered the Javits Center. At the fair you could check out furniture design by several Norwegian exhibitors, such as Mokasser s Whole in One chair, inspired by the pattern a body leaves when sitting in the snow, and Fora Form s round, pop arty Planet chair and the 3D-veneer produced Copenhagen chair. Scandinavian furniture design has made a name for itself all over the world, and with this year s ICFF, Norwegian designers are proving that they are ready to break new ground in the international market. Norwegian furniture producers have traditionally found inspiration in classic models. However, from the 1930s they started cooperating with professional designers, and the 1960s are usually seen as the first golden era of Norwegian furniture design. During that decade an independent style was developed, focusing on simplicity, functionality, and quality. Producers are still often small, family-operated businesses, and despite high wages and stiff international competition, half of the furniture sold in Norway is made in the country. T he 1990s saw the growth of a range of young designers making cutting-edge furniture. Functionalism and the pioneers of the 1960s are still inspirations, but the designers are increasingly open to ideas from the international market. The industry consists of about 450 companies, and more than 30 percent of the products are exported. At the ICFF this year, Mokasser and Fora Form were joined by Variér Furniture, Aksel Hansson, and Cathrine Kullberg at the Inside Norway booth. Also present were Designers Go Playground, KLOSS, and Nina Edwards Ankers Nea Studio, making sure that Americans got a glimpse at some of the finest furniture Norway has to offer. PHOTO BY MATS SILBERG BLUE CHAIR: Mokasser s Whole in One is the result of a student assignment at the National Academy of the Arts in Oslo. The designers were inspired by the patterns a body leaves when sitting in the snow. WHITE CHAIR: Variér Eight brings your kitchen to life with its outstanding comfort. The hidden tiltingmechanism allows you to sit freely and relaxed for hours. BLACK CHAIR: The Copenhagen chair is a Master s Degree work by Lars Tornøe. The project demanded use of 3D-veneer. Compared to conventional veneer, this material allows more creative laminate shapes. 6 news of norway summer 2008 LEFT: Inside Norway s stand at the 2008 International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

7 norwegian moods in san francisco by cecilie klaumann M oods of Norway was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the brainchild of designers Simen Staalnacke and Peder Børresen, who had just completed their studies in Australia and Hawaii. The idea for the concept came after a party, they said during a whirlwind spring visit to San Francisco, where their fall and winter 2008 collections was shown at the 16th annual Norway Day Festival in May. The two creative designers wanted to tell stories from Norway and make clothes for different moods. Every Moods of Norway item has a small Norwegian detail or twist. For 2008, a small and tastefully embroidered tractor can be found on breastpockets and cuffs, bearing a number enlightening the happy wearer as to how many tractors are registered in Norway. The collection also pays tribute to Norwegian winter sports idols such as legendary figure skater Sonja Henie and crosscountry skier Oddvar Brå. Images of Henie s magical spin, Brå s broken ski pole and the 10 mountain guidelines for safe skiing can be found adorning T-shirts and hoodies. The design duo is skilled with color, as typically seen in their men s suits. An impressive array of plaids and solids mix and match to make a couple of three piece suits into an entire wardrobe. But the pièce-de-résistance in the menswear must be a paisley/psychedelic printed suit in hot pink, lime green, blue and black, in which the wearer will no doubt be the talk of the party if not the town. More than anything, the clothes are functional, fun, easy to care for and well-made, embracing rustic and downtown sensibilities with flair. A collection of eyewear is also in the included. They were extremely well received by the Norway Day Festival goers in San Francisco, where the area around the stage was packed during the 45-minute show, which also included selections from another renowned Norwegian label: Oleana. Barely four years after the initial brainstorming session in Hawaii, the company is now represented in polished shops and showrooms in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Benelux, Iceland, Australia, Japan, and the United States. Its flagship store opened in Oslo in February this year, located next to a Louis Vuitton boutique. Moods of Norway has its headquarter and showroom in Stryn, a small town famous for glaciers, salmon fishing, and, according to Simen and Peder, one newly opened escalator. BELOW: Moods of Norway fall and winter 2008 collections shown at the 16th annual Norway Day Festival in San Francisco. PHOTOS BY LEE BLADES/TROND GILBERG PHOTO ERIK KNUDSEN/MOODS OF NORWAY

8 PHOTOS BY HUGO FAGERNES by anne myklebust architectural detour R oad trips are often considered the best way to explore the scenery in foreign countries. By taking a detour on the road in Norway, you may find some surprising architectural gems. Soon, some of these scenic highlights can be experienced without crossing the Atlantic when the exhibit Detour travels to the United States in Detour started in 1993 as a collaborative project between the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the foundation Norsk Form. At the heart of the project lay a wish to integrate contemporary architecture into Norwegian landscapes. rather than simply promoting norway s well known natural attractions, these architects wanted to draw attention to interesting locations along the less trafficked roads, hopefully luring tourists off the beaten path. With this goal in mind, Norwegian and international architects and designers have over the past decade located 18 suitable tourist routes in Norway, and highlighted them by creating close to 200 innovative and visually appealing viewing platforms, resting points, and picnic areas along the roadsides. PHOTO BY 3RW between these constructions and their immediate surroundings was at the forefront of the designers minds. In an article for Architectural Record, journalist David Sokol describes the project as a dialogue with nature. I nspired by the initial success, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Norsk Form wanted to bring these eye-catching constructions to those not able to travel to Norway. Now, instead of you having to make the detour the detour exhibit travels to the United States. Curators Barbro Westling and Peter Johansson decided to look outside the perhaps obvious choice of crisp nature and R ather than simply promoting Norway s well known natural attractions, the architects wanted to draw attention to interesting locations along the less trafficked roads, hopefully luring tourists off the beaten path. Like many recent architectural projects in Norway, the dynamic 8 news of norway summer 2008

9 architecture PHOTO BY KNUT BRY stripped down architecture for inspiration when creating the traveling version of the exhibit. Instead, they looked to early tourism and early tourists penchant for the mystical masterview for ideas. T he exhibition displays a selection of the constructions through a striking brass-trimmed display case from the 1900s. The case, in the form of a rotunda, echoes Victorian England, and allows visitors to view the installations and their surroundings through binoculars. Models of the constructions have also been created, and are displayed in glass cases surrounding the rotunda, with explanatory posters. T he contrast between the sleek, modern design of the installations and the antique style of the rotunda adds to the unique experience of the exhibit. Those visiting the exhibition have expressed fascination at the feeling of entering another world when looking through the binoculars. After having been shown in Berlin and Paris, the exhibit can be visited at the Norwegian Road Museum in Lillehammer throughout The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., will show the exhibit from early 2009, and the exhibit will travel to other cities in North America in the fall next year, and into PHOTO BY MAGNE FLEMSÆTER Top left and right: Tungeneset and Aurland Lookout. Bottom left and right: Flydalsjuvet in Gairanger and Askvågen in Møre og Romsdal. Bottom: The case through which the exhibit is viewed is in the form of a rotunda, and allows visitors to see the installations and their surroundings through binoculars. PHOTO BY TORD LUND 9

10 environment PHOTO BY SAM BRANSON PHOTO BY BEN HORTON Ellesmere Expedition 2008 Completed Polar explorer and environmentalist Will Steger and a team of six year-old explorers, including two Norwegians, just completed a 1,400-mile dogsled expedition across Ellesmere Island in Canada, sponsored by the Norwegian Embassy in Washington. They documented the impact of climate change in the Canadian Arctic, an area on the frontline of global warming. Read excerpts from their blog below. compiled by caroline schønheyder Day 1: Sunday March 2008: Our first day on the ice, what a great feeling to be finally relieved of all the pre-expedition stress! Ahead of us lies 60 amazing days, spent with 6 incredible people and 30 great dogs. This will be a journey! Eric McNair-Landry Day 2: It was pretty cold on the face today. You have to be really careful. My nose had turned white before someone pointed it out to me. Luckily it was not deep and all was okay! Sam Branson Day 4: Another great day on the ice, as we start to eat through our food and the dogs start to eat through theirs the sleds become lighter and we gain momentum. A large portion of that weight is dog food. Eric McNair-Landry Day 5: After being spoiled by awesome terrain the last couple of days, we ran out of luck. Dead ahead lay patches of rough ice. We managed to weave our way in and out, hugging the shore avoiding most of the bigger chunks. Sarah McNair-Landry Day 27: After 27 hard days through mostly rough ice conditions we finally made it to the remains of the Ayles Iceshelf. This is one of the main goals of our expedition. It was a dramatic moment when we saw the 26-foot tall ice wall of the Ayles on the horizon. We camped this evening below the edge of the iceshelf resting after four pretty brutal days in the roughest ice we have experienced. As much as it was great to get to Ayles it is also sad to witness this great iceshelf floating around in the sea destined to disintegrate. Only three years ago, Ellesmere s coastline included a much larger Ayles Iceshelf. In a matter of minutes much of this iceshelf broke off and became a floating ice island. It had been in place for at least 4,500 years before it broke away. The ice island calved off from the Ayles Iceshelf because of unusually warmer temperatures and persistent offshore winds. Toby Thorleifsson Day 30: We took a rest day today: a great opportunity to read, write, and take a sponge bath. The latter gives you a chance to check for cuts which may get infected and to keep track of where your body is at, health-wise. Sarah McNair-Landry Day 39: An absolutely incredible day. This morning the sun was shining. Not a breath of wind in the air. The huge mountains beside us stood in full glory as they basked in the sun s heat. Traveling in conditions like this gives you a real chance to take in your surroundings and appreciate where you are. It s amazing the perspective it gives you. Not only being in such an inspiring place, but being so detached from the outside world. How people get so fixated on little things and actually miss the bigger picture. As big and powerful as this world seems it is really a fragile place. Sam Branson Day 40: Exactly 110 years and 3 days ago on May 5th, part of Otto Sverdrup s team traveled up this coast mapping and surveilling. They reached the location were we are now camped, where they were forced to turn around because they ran out of food. Sarah McNair-Landry PHOTO BY SAM BRANSON Day 6: Ice chunks can be a great danger and the team must move more carefully and at a slower pace. The ice chunks can hurt both the team members and the dogs, and break their sleighs. Polar bears pose another challenge. Today we crossed polar bear tracks many times, and a middle sized bear showed up sniffing around our camp at dinner time. Sigrid Ekran Day 49: It seems impossible to really capture this place with a camera, or even with words. It cannot capture the feeling of sitting alone atop an iceberg in the frozen sea listening to the distant howls of wolves. The howls set our dogs into their own symphony and the silence of the sea ice is broken. We made today a short travel day, not for lack of energy or difficulties, but simply because the region we just entered is by far the best environment to see wildlife. Ben Horton 10 news of norway summer 2008

11 PHOTOS BY B. JAHNSEN/NORWEGIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Arctic Nations Cooperate on Climate Change by caroline schønheyder O n May 28, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre met with representatives of the other four states bordering the Arctic Ocean: Canada, the United States, Russia, and Denmark. At the conference in Ilulissat in Greenland, the ministers adopted a joint declaration on how to approach the challenges facing the Arctic Ocean due to climate change. The meeting was based on the legal assessments made at a conference in Oslo in October 2007, at which the same five states met at a senior political level. The declaration establishes that the existing law of the sea provides the framework for future national measures and cooperation with regards to environmental protection, research, establishing the outer limits of the continental shelf, and shipping. In his speech at the Ilulissat conference, Minister Støre said: In order to respond [to the challenges faced in the Arctic region,] we need two things: a legal framework and sound policies In my view, the challenges we are facing may have to do more with a lack on implementation of the existing rues than with an actual lack of rules. There is no lack of rules, there is a lack of policies. The need for sustainable policies is one of the reasons Norway has placed the High North as its strategic priority, something that harmonizes well with Norway s chairmanship of the Arctic Council, a seat the country will hold until October In addition to the From the left, Denmark s Minister of Foreign Affairs Per Stig Møller, Norway s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre, Greenland s Minister of Foreign Affairs Aleqa Hammond, Canada s Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn, United States Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Greenland s Premier Hans Enoksen. Norway s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre and United States Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. states represented at the Ilulissat conference, the Arctic Council includes Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, as well as the participation of indigenous people of the Arctic region. The council will play a central role in further cooperation. As the icecap of the Arctic melts, waterways open up, giving new opportunities for exploiting the natural resources of the Arctic Ocean. At the Ilulissat Conference, Støre talked about the Norwegian policies for management of Norwegian waters. He highlighted the integrated management plan for the Barents Sea, which addresses energy exploration, management of fish resources, transportation and environmental concerns. The purpose of the plan is to facilitate long-term value creation based on the sustainable use of the sea areas, while preserving the structures and productivity of their ecosystems. I believe that the basic approach of the plan ecosystem-based management should govern management of the resources of the Arctic, Støre said. Since no agreement has been reached on who is entitled to which Arctic resources, many call for pragmatic collaboration. Day 62: Expedition completed: The expedition ended up taking a different route than planned as melting ice had created a terrain impossible to penetrate. Back in civilization, the team met with Al Gore, and will now share their observations with scientists from the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado. Despite the trail being massively more rugged than anticipated, many good memories were catalogued along the way. It seems like the harder the conditions get the more it draws people together, to participate in a singular goal and to help each other in times of need. Eric McNair-Landry We have now started to present our eyewitness accounts and share our experiences from the frontlines of global warming in the U.S and Norway. In fact, this is our most important and most challenging part of our mission. We need to try as best we can to use our story in an attempt to empower our generation for the time s most important issue. As much as it might seem overwhelming to be faced by the complex issues of global warming our generation also has been given a glorious opportunity to collectively do the right thing. We have a magnificent chance to develop international cooperation and to make our mark on history with positive connotations. Toby Thorleifsson For events presenting the expedition's findings see PHOTO BY BEN HORTON

12 food St. Hansaften: Eat Your Porridge and Light Your Fire by caroline schønheyder S t. Hansaften is the ultimate summer feast in Norway. On the evening of June 23, Norwegians light bonfires, pick flowers to put under their pillows, and celebrate summer and light. The St. Hans celebrations have roots across northern Europe, and were also brought to Canada with the first French colonialists. In Canada, the celebration is called Saint-Jean-Baptist Day or Quebec National Holiday. The celebrations take on somewhat different forms in the different countries, but the origins are much the same. St. Hans is a Christian holiday to honor Saint John the Baptist (also called Saint Hans). The day of celebration was set to June 24 to outdo the pagan celebrations of midsummer or summer solstice. However, it is the celebration of summer, sun, and light that has survived in countries such as Norway. In Norway, celebrations take place the evening before June 24. Aften, as in St. Hansaften, means evening. The tradition of lighting bonfires on this occasion came from the pagan belief in fire as the protector against evil spirits. The sun, which in the Northern hemisphere is at its highest at midsummer, probably inspired this belief. The night of St. Hans was supposedly a night of magic. If, for instance, a young girl picked seven flowers and put them under her pillow, she would dream of her future husband. As on any day of celebration, food is important on St. Hansaften. When asked what she associates with St. Hansaften, Ingeborg Nygaard, the chef at the Norwegian Embassy, said: bonfire, rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge), cured ham, barbeque, midsummer, sun, family, friends, children, and my childhood. On St. Hansaften I get together with my family and friends and go to a field to make a bonfire. We bring sour cream porridge, cured ham, barbeque food like sausages, and just have a good time for as long as we can stay awake. It is all about celebrating summer with the people you love the most. When I was little I was very superstitious. I made sure to jump seven fences and pick seven different flowers, put them under my pillow, and try hard to dream about a boy I liked. Why we eat sour cream porridge on this day? Well, it is a tradition. Eating sour cream porridge on special holidays is a strong tradition in Norway, and St. Hans is s special holiday. Sour cream porridge is a tradition that goes far, far back in time. It is such a simple and timeless recipe, she said. Rømmegrøt (Sour Cream Porridge) Often served with cured meats and flatbrød (crisp bread) This recipe serves 4 Ingredients 1 pint thick sour cream 12 tablespoons flour 1 pint milk Salt Preparation 1. Boil the sour cream, covered, for 2 minutes. Add half of the flour and stir carefully to bring the butter to the surface. Skim it off, reserve it and keep it warm. 2. Stir in the rest of the flour and add the milk. Simmer the porridge for 5-6 minutes. Season to taste with salt. If one prefers a slightly tangy sour flavor, half of the milk added may be sour milk or kefir. Sour cream porridge is eaten sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon and with the reserved warm melted butter. Some people also like to add raisins on top, as pictured above. Red juice, such as raspberry or currant, is usually served with the porridge. PHOTO COURTESY TINE/ 12

13 The Plot Thickens by silje bekeng N orwegian crime literature continues its success story in the U.S. with the publishing of What Never Happens, the second book in Anne Holt s popular Stubo/Vik series. Anne Holt is no newcomer on the literary scene: Her books have sold more than 3 million copies, gaining her a worldwide audience and a reputation as one of Scandinavia s foremost crime writers. Her American debut, What Is Mine, was published last year and introduced readers to the crime-solving team of Adam Stubo and Johanne Vik. Back then, they were working on a case of kidnapped and murdered children in Norway. In What Never Happens, a new series of gruesome murders is terrifying Oslo s residents. Stubo and Vik are caring for their newborn child, and are reluctant to take on the case. But drawing on a lecture she heard as a profiler for the FBI years before, Vik developsvolves a theory that she and Stubo might be the murderer s next victims. Holt s first American publication received remarkably enthusiastic reviews. Booklist wrote: Holt proves herself worthy of being known as the Norwegian Henning Mankell exceptionally well-drawn characters essential for all mystery collections. Meanwhile, Kirkus Reviews called the book a savvy, sharply delineated suspense novel immensely rewarding. One of Holt s strengths as a crime writer is her in-depth knowledge of the law and police work. A former minister of justice, lawyer, TV anchor, and journalist, Holt s books offer not only chilling mysteries, but also a glimpse into a world often hidden from the public. Holt has also spent several years in the United States: in Dallas; Farmington, Maine; and Harwichport, Massachusetts. What Never Happens was published by Grand Central Publishing in February What Is Mine is now available in paperback, and the next book in the series is due to be published in 2009 or books Karin Fossum Wins Los Angeles Times Book Award N orwegian writer Karin Fossum won the prestigious Los Angeles Times Book Award this spring for her novel The Indian Bride. Fossum, who lives in a small town in southeastern Norway, is taking the world by storm with her heart-stoppingly suspenseful writing. The crime writer has gained an enthusiastic following of readers in the U.S., and on Friday evening, April 25, she was awarded the LA Times Book Award in for best mystery/thriller, for her novel The Indian Bride. The novel is one of several that features Inspector Konrad Sejer. Karin Fossum was nominated together with Benjamin Black, Åke Edwardson, Tana French, and Jan Costin Wagner. The prize is awarded in connection with the biggest literature festival in the U.S., Los Angeles Times Book Festival. It is usually awarded to English-language authors. The Indian Bride (Elskede Poona) translated by Charlotte Barslund is Fossum s fourth book on the U.S. market. The novel takes us to the town of Elvestad, where one day the battered body of a woman is found in a meadow. Everyone is shocked by the gruesome crime, but Inspector Konrad Sejer understands that in this town, no one is altogether innocent. Fossum s crime novels featuring Inspector Sejer have been translated into 16 languages, and she has received rave reviews in the New York Times and the Washington Post, among others. Other L.A. Times Book Awards winners this year were Andrew O Hagan for Be Near Me (Harcourt) and Dinaw Mengestu for The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears (Riverhead Books). PHOTO BY LAURENT DENIMAL What Never Happenes By Anne Holt Grand Central Publishing $24.99 (hardcover) What is Mine By Anne Holt Grand Central Publishing $12.99 (paperback) The Indian Bride By Karin Fossum Harcourt Books $14.00 (paperback) summer 2008 news of norway 13

14 VOICE OF JOY VOICE OF JOY For a complete and updated calendar of events please visit on tour music Voice of Joy SEATTLE, WA, July 11, 7:00 pm Rock of Ages, sevice SEATTLE, WA, July 13, 9:00 am and am Westgate Chapel, service SEATTLE, WA, July 13, 6 pm Aurora Church of the Nazarene, service NASHVILLE, TN, July 16, 17, 18 Christ Church, Music & Worship Conference NASHVILLE, TN, July 20, 9.15 am and 11 am Brentwood Baptist, service NASHVILLE, TN, July 20, evening Christ Church, service/concert ATLANTA, GA, July 26 Marietta Seventh-Day Adventist Church, service ATLANTA, GA, July 27 Mt. Paran Church of God, service The Norwegian gospel choir Voice of Joy will perform 12 concerts on their 6th tour of the United States. They have released three albums over the past five years, the last one being a live recording from the Brentwood Baptist Chruch in Nashville, produced by David Hamilton. For the past five years they've also travelled extensively in the U.S., England, Ireland and Norway, performing up to 50 shows a year. Voice of Joy will be visiting Seattle, Nashville and Atlanta on their tour this summer, and will participate in the major Music & Worship conference in Nashville from July Info: or nationwide film "Reprise" The award winning drama "Reprise" is one of the most talked about Norwegian films in years, and has finally made its way to the U.S. The film opened in New York and Los Angeles on May 16, followed by a national rollout. The freewheeling passion of youth and the unpredictable perils of fate are both the subject and the breathtaking form of Joachim Trier's directorial debut, which travels a lean and kinetic journey through friendship, love, madness and creativity, which the New York Times calls "the brightest sign of life in some time in Norwegian cinema." For screening times and venues, check your nearby movie theatres or online: Info: or east coast exhibit Counter Surveillance NEW YORK, NY, through July 13 Vibeke Jensen uses good old spy gear in her artworks. Through the surveillance equipment, she exhibit Detour at the National Building Museum WASHINGTON, DC Early In recent years, small but sensational architectural projects along Norwegian tourist routes have gained national as well as international attention. Inspired by the initial success, the partners behind the exhibition, Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Norsk Form, bring an exhibit showcasing these eye-catching constructions to those not able to travel to Norway. The exhibit opens in Washington, D.C., in March 2009 and may travel to other cities in North America. See pages 8-9 of this issue of News of Norway. Info: creates a "counter surveillance." At the Queens Museum, Bulova Satellite Gallery. Info: exhibit Inspired By Hardanger NEW YORK, NY, through Sept marks the 100 year anniversary for the birth of poet Olav H. Hauge and pianist and composer Geirr Tveitt. Get to know their works and beautiful homeplace Hardanger, as the two artists are honored in New York with a special exhibition. At the Trygve Lie Gallery in The Norwegian Church PHOTO COURTESY OF NORWEGIAN FILM INSTITUTE at 317 East 52nd Street, New York Info: (212) or online at PHOTO COURTESY OF SCANDINAVIA HOUSE PHOTO BY NILS VIK 14

15 calendar film Sejer in New York NEW YORK, NY, July 2-31 Wednesdays at 6:30 pm & Thursdays at 2:30 pm Karin Fossum's main protagonist, Inspector Konrad Sejer, has made his ways to TV screens in Norway, and now even to New York, as Scandinavia House screens the popular series this summer. Fossum is an internationally acclaimed writer, and recently won the Los Angeles Times Book Award for her novel The Indian Bride, which features Konrad Sejer. (See page 14) Four of Fossum's Inspector Sejer novels have been made into film series and were originally shown on Norwegian TV, where they were among the highest rated shows in Norway. Bjørn Sundquist has won both a Norwegian Gullruten award and an Amanda award for his role as Konrad Sejer. At the Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue. Tickets are $8 Info: (212) or jazz Jostein Gulbrandsen NEW YORK, NY, July 23 A native of Namsos, Norway, guitarist Jostein Gulbrandsen plays electric, acoustic nylon string, and fretless guitar. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Gulbrandsen recently released his first CD as a band leader, "Twelve," on Fresh Sound New Talent. He works with the Matt Grason Motel Project and coleads the band Randal with Fred Kennedy and Roland Fidezius, and has just finished a recording with Nate Smith Quartet. Info: (212) or midwest folk music 2008 Hardanger Fiddle Music & Dance Workshop DODGEVILLE, WI, July The Hardanger Fiddle Association of America is hosting the annual workshop on July 17-20, 2008 at Folklore Village in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. The workshop focuses on Hardanger fiddle and dance. Folklore Village is 35 miles west of Madison, Wisconsin, and set on acres of restored prairie. Every night is a dance party. There will be bunkhouse accommodations and tenting. Children and teens are welcome. Info: registration at or contact Loretta Kelley by workshopchair@hfaa.org or call (301) festival Norsk Høstfest 2008 NORTH DAKOTA, October 1-5 Norsk Høstfest, North America's largest Scandinavian festival, is celebrating its 31st year. Tens of thousands of people attend the event annually to celebrate and partake in the Scandinavian culture and entertainment. The Beach Boys, Kenny Rogers and Daniel O'Donnell are some of the artists that will entertain at this year's festival. Entertainment is definitely on the menu at Norsk Høstfest. But then, so is food, with dining ranging from family style at numerous food booths around the complex, to upscale, at the acclaimed En To Tre gourmet restaurant. The cuisine as well as the clothes, art and jewelry are authentic, fine quality and exquisitely Nordic. More than 200 internationally recognized artisans, craftsmen and chefs participate. The Nordic history and heritage are alive from the Clog Shop and the Import Shop to the Sølje Shop and the General Store. The experience is an eclectic array of contemporary and traditional. Info: or call (701) celebration Minnesota's Norwegian Sesquicentennial Celebration ROCHESTER, MN, October 18 As Minnesota celebrates the 150th anniversary of statehood, the Norwegian Statehood Pioneer Project will recognize those Norwegian pioneers who were here when the state was born and contributed to the development of its institutions and culture. Join the celebrations at Mariott Hotel in Rochester on October 18, There will be displays and demonstrations, an afternoon program with speakers and entertainment honoring Norwegian-Minnesotans who lived in the state at the time of statehood, and an evening banquet to end the day. Info: festival Nordic Roots Festival MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Sept Hot sounds from cool traditions. The 2008 Nordic Roots Festival is the "10th annual and final" - the culmination of a decade of celebrating the new sounds of old music from the Nordic countries. Beginning in the fall of 2009, the festival goes international and becomes the Global Roots Festival. Nordic music will still be part of this annual event as well as the Cedar Cultural Center's season-long programming. Bands featuring Norwegian musicians include Frigg and Waltz With Me. Concert and workshop program to be announced online. Info: PHOTO BY MATTI KIVELÄ canada new museum Little Norway Memorial Building MUSKOKA, ON The new museum is situated at the Muskoka Airport and tells the story of Little Norway where many Norwegians were trained during World War II. Info: exhibit Sámi and Inuit Contemporary Art OTTAWA, ON, through August 17. "In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun" is the first of its kind to investigate the differences and similarities between the art of the Inuit and the Sámi people. The exhibit will be shown at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Info: music Royal Norwegian Army Band in Québec City QUÉBEC CITY, QC Aug The Norwegian Army Band is invited to the Québec City International Festival of Military Bands. During the summer months the city is known for its vibrant street life. This year, Quebec City is celebrating its 400th Anniversary. Info: and summer 2008 news of norway 15

16 news of norway Royal Norwegian Embassy th. St., NW Washington, D.C (202) PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Washington, D.C. Permit No. 251 cover shot PHOTO BY MOODS OF NORWAY Norwegian designers Moods of Norway showed their new clothing collections at San Francisco s Norway Day in May. (Cover photo and page 7) Cert no. SW-COC-2142 News of Norway is printed on forest-friendly paper. Number of trees saved: 12.39; total energy saved: 8,776,250 BTUs; greenhouse gas reduction: 1,147 lbs.; wastewater reduction: 5,263 gallons; solid waste reduction: 582 lbs. news of norway PHOTO BY EMILE ASHLEY norwegian architects: blending buildings and nature S tavanger-based Helen & Hard is one of several Norwegian architectural firms shaping the future look of Norway. Like Snøhetta s Petter Dass Museum and the Aurland Lookout, Helen & Hard s mountain lodge on the path leading up to the Pulpit Rock the cliff overhanging the Lyse Fjord blends nature and architecture. The lodge includes 24 guest rooms, a café, a restaurant, and a conference room, and its placement is well fitted into the environment. The main construction consists of a rib-work of massive wood elements, which create spacious public areas and individual guest rooms, as well as intimate zones along the facade. read more about norwegian architects inside ILLUSTRATION BY HELEN & HARD