Welcoming invitation to discover Norway’s history featuring our guest Kristin Skjefstad Edibe : Norway is an active participant to world affairs and takes its share of responsibility in global issues. Norway has a foreign policy known as the “Norwegian model,” the goal of which is to contribute to peace and stability through a coordinated response among governmental and non-governmental Norwegian organizations; acting as an honest broker in international conflicts; an informal network of Norwegian individuals with access and credibility among parties; and the willingness to take the long view in international issues. Norway works actively to find lasting political solutions to wars and conflicts by facilitating dialogue between parties to conflict and supporting other actors’ conflict resolution efforts. Find more details on the subject here : Kristin Skjefstad Edibe.
The Oslo region: the Norwegian capital is full of surprises. It was named European Green Capital in 2019. A cutting-edge food scene, new and funky neighbourhoods, a fully-packed event calendar, and several brand-new museums and attractions are just a few teasers of what you can expect. Surrounded by the Oslofjord and deep forests, you can easily combine urban city life with nature-based fun like cycling, skiing at some of Norway´s top ski resorts and trips to nearby regions of Østfold and Vestfold, with charming towns such as Fredrikstad and Tønsberg dotted along the coast.
Are you tough enough for our quirky cuisine? Norwegian food is not known for having spicy flavours and bright colours, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring! From pungent seafood to crumbly cheeses and unusual meat dishes – here is the food you never knew you wanted to try. First things first: We can’t talk about Norwegian cuisine without mentioning seafood. There is more to it than just salmon and fresh cod. Take stockfish, for example. We call it tørrfisk, and it doesn’t have an appealing odour – but stockfish is the smell of money. You see, it’s the fish that built Norway. The unsalted skrei, or migrating cod, is dried by the wind and the sun on giant wooden racks in Lofoten and other areas in Northern Norway. You can enjoy it grilled, baked, or cooked. Small, dry slices of tørrfisk are also a healthy and popular snack! You can also try Lutefisk, various cheese and other specialties
Bergen in Norway is home to KODE. Ride the scenic and iconic Bergen Railway line across the country to the cultural hub of Bergen, and explore the city’s KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes, which hosts one of the biggest collections of art, arts and crafts, design, and music in the Nordic countries. Almost 50,000 pieces are exhibited throughout the four museum buildings KODE 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the city center of Bergen, and in the homes of the famous musicians and composers Ole Bull, Harald Sæverud, and Edvard Grieg. Head straight to KODE 3 if you want to see Jealousy and The Woman in Three Stages by Edvard Munch. In KODE 1 and KODE 2 you’ll find temporary exhibitions featuring artists ranging from Paul Cézanne, Nikolai Astrup, and Paul McCarthy, as well as contemporary Norwegian artists. KODE 4 is hosting a take-over program with artists and students from the Bergen area.
Norwegian creativity, the lesser known of the Scandinavian arts and craft, has its own flavour reflecting the more reserved national temperament. A new wave of designers are making themselves heard, while the classic icons are rediscovered. Lighting, rainwear, wool and passports are among the Norwegian designs that are attracting worldwide attention. Many of the Norwegian designers are now working with the international market in mind, inspired by global trends. That means it can be difficult to define a unified Norwegian design, even though factors as nature-inspired forms, graceful lines and light are prominent. The Norwegian nature, weather and way of life have also set its mark on the work of many designers. It’s probably no coincidence that some of the most renowned clothing brands the last few years have produced rainwear, or warm garments made of wool. They make clothes for ordinary people with a sense of style, while luxury clothing made from Norwegian fashion designers are a rarity. Norwegian designers have worked a lot with lamps and lighting – perhaps natural considering the long and dark winters.
In Norway, climbing mountains feels like the most natural thing to do — so why shouldn’t this also apply to buildings? The Norwegian nature is free for everyone to walk in, and The Oslo Opera House, which opened in 2008, was built as an extension to this idea. Usually, you are likely to be arrested if you walk on rooftops. This new building in the very epicentre of the capital of Norway offers subtle variations in the structure of the marble-embellished roof signed by Norwegian artists Kristian Blystad, Kalle Grude and Jorunn Sannes. It is truly a beautiful surface meant to be stepped on. Under your feet there are three highly differently designed scenes, a myriad of public rooms and halls to explore, and a vibrant workplace for more than 600 opera and ballet professionals. This structure made for walking also offers an unexpectedly cool sit-down experience. The innovative physique of the Opera House with its marble-covered roof will unveil surprisingly different angles of the city you have come to visit.
Norway is an alpine skiing paradise. The season is long, the resorts are nice, and the views are impeccable. And there is something for everyone! Many of the largest resorts are easily accessible, in close proximity of airports and ferry ports. In winter, we swap our hiking boots for skis to enjoy the snow-covered mountains. Some kids even hit the slopes as soon as they’re able to walk. You see, the majority of Norway’s best ski resorts are super family-friendly, with children’s slopes and ski schools. But family-friendly does not mean boring. These ski destinations also offer challenges for the more advanced skiers. You can cruise down a diamond piste, challenge yourself on jumps and rails, or chase the perfect powder further up the mountains. It’s this combination of beginner’s fun and action-packed slopes that make the Norwegian ski destinations so popular. Friends and families can go on ski holidays together, even if they’re not at the same skill level.
