ritmarine

Through My Eyes - February 2025

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 12:34:49 GMT

On the wall in our summerhouse, I have a model of one of my favorite ships, Restauration, a sloop built in 1801 in Hardanger, Norway. Restauration set sail from Stavanger on July 4, 1825, with 52 people aboard, a small religious group who were followers of lay preacher Hans Nielsen Hauge. Known as the Haugeans (“Haugianere”), the group was searching for religious freedom and better economic opportunities. The Restauration holds a special place in Norwegian American history, and this year we celebrate the 200-year anniversary of that first emigration from Norway to the United States of America.

The Haugeans faced persecution in Norway due to strict laws limiting religious gatherings outside the state church. Inspired by the promise of greater freedom in America, the group organized their departure with Cleng Peerson, known as the father of Norwegian immigration, playing a pivotal role in scouting opportunities in the United States of America.

Restauration was a small, single-masted sloop originally built for coastal trade. It was refitted for the journey; but, only fifty-four feet long, it was far from ideal for an ocean crossing. With 52 passengers aboard, far more than its legal capacity, the ship was overcrowded, and the journey was challenging, with limited space, food, and harsh conditions during the crossing. After a journey of 14 weeks, Restauration arrived in New York City on October 9, 1825. Upon arrival, the Captain, Lars Olsen, was arrested for violating U.S. immigration laws by exceeding the vessel’s passenger limit. President John Quincy Adams later pardoned him, recognizing the group's pursuit of freedom.

The group, who came to be known as “Sloopers,” initially settled in Kendall, New York, near Lake Ontario, where they began farming. Their arrival marked the beginning of Norwegian immigration to the U.S., which would grow significantly in the 19th century. In the decades that followed, thousands of Norwegians, primarily farmers, settled in the Midwest, particularly in states like North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, drawn by the availability of fertile land. Over 800,000 Norwegians immigrated to the USA. In terms of population, only Ireland had more emigrants to America than Norway.

I look at the model on my wall and can hardly believe they made it over the Atlantic. I close my eyes and can see the difficulty of daily life onboard when the rain and the wind made their days almost unbearable and was aggravated by a limited supply of food and water. The voyage of Restauration symbolizes the spirit of adventure, faith, and resilience that characterized Norwegian emigrants. This event gives us insight into an important episode of Norwegian history. Norway has not always been one of the richest countries in the world. The fact is that 40% of the Norwegian population found life so unbearable that they sold everything they owned and set sail towards a new horizon.

By 1920, Norwegian American communities were well-established, contributing significantly to the cultural and economic development of the region. Today we believe that more than five million Americans will call themselves Norwegians or descendants of Norwegians. I have been lucky to meet many of them at the yearly event in Minot, North Dakota called the “Hostfest,” (Fall Festival) but also at many other events around the country. The voyage is celebrated as a pivotal moment in Norwegian American history, with October 9 recognized as Leif Erikson Day in the United States to honor Norwegian contributions to American culture.

As a result of an idea and a dream carried forward by local enthusiasts with a genuine interest in history and boat building, a foundation was established in 2007 with the purpose of reconstructing Restauration, one of Norway’s most famous sailing vessels -- a ship that is nearly identical to the original, based on traditional boat building tradition. The replica of Restauration was built by Ryfylke Trebåtbyggjeri on Finnøy and launched in 2010.

This summer, the replica of the ship will travel exactly the same route as the original ship. In an interview with the Norwegian newspaper VG, the new Norwegian Ambassador to the United States, Anniken Huitfeldt, noted that the 200 ^th anniversary of the beginning of Norwegian emigration to the United States will be celebrated through the entire year of 2025 and will be an important event to strengthen the strong relationship between the United States and Norway. The King and Queen of Norway will participate in the historic departure of the Restauration from Stavanger on July 4, 2025.

The official website for the 2025 commemoration, "Crossings" offers information on events, historical insights, and educational materials related to the bicentennial. These celebrations aim to deepen the understanding of Norwegian American heritage and the historical significance of migration, fostering appreciation for the shared history and cultural contributions that have shaped both societies over the past two centuries.

Website: https://restauration.no/en/crossings-200-eng/

Vesterheim, the National Norwegian American Museum and Folk Art School in Decorah, Iowa, will host a special exhibition titled "200 Years of Norwegians in America" from December 6, 2024, to January 31, 2026. This exhibition will showcase significant objects, photographs, and stories from two centuries of Norwegian American history. In Northfield, Minnesota, St. Olaf College's Norwegian Department has initiated "25 for 2025," featuring 25 events and programs to engage with the bicentennial, including lectures, workshops, and cultural exchanges. Finally, The Norwegian Honorary Consulate General in Minneapolis is coordinating various events across North America and Norway to commemorate this milestone, providing platforms for reflection on migration and its impact on both nations.

I hope to be in Stavanger on July 4 ^th and in New York for the replica’s arrival on October 9 ^th this year. Perhaps you can attend some of the many events that will celebrate our history this coming year. I will use my ship’s model to remind me of all the brave men and women going ahead of us. I had Hope as my theme last year and have selected Celebration as my theme for 2025, and I will share information with you each month that is worth celebrating.

Through My Eyes - November 2024

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 12:26:54 GMT

Even before the most recent hurricane (Milton) hit Florida, Vigdis and I were planning a long drive visiting six states and both the East Coast and Gulf Coast of Florida. The purpose of this trip was to experience with our own eyes how the recent storms have impacted individual locations and, for me in particular, the effects on the transportation industry. As a Norwegian, we have little experience with hurricanes, and I believe we don’t get the full picture through the news as we will discuss further in this article. That’s why we wanted to do this trip before we returned to Norway for Thanksgiving. We expect many questions from family and friends about the election and all the storms, so we wanted to be better prepared. What’s better than talking to local people and seeing it with your own eyes? Relative to the election, this trip was also to experience the so-called “divided country.” We did not find a divided country, but we did find a lot of love, unity and hope, my theme for this year.

Starting Wednesday, October 16th through the following Wednesday, October 23 ^rd , we drove 2,950 miles (4,500 km) in 8 days. This is equal to the distance from Oslo to Rome, Italy and back (3,280 miles / 4,980 km) or a little longer than from Washington DC to San Francisco (2,815 miles / 4,200 km). We left Maryland heading down the Delmarva (Delaware/Maryland/Virginia) Peninsula, crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel to get from the peninsula to the mainland and made our first stop in Norfolk, Virginia, a major port both for naval and merchant vessels. We counted sixteen vessels on the Bay, the entrance from the Atlantic Ocean to the Chesapeake Bay, on their route to Norfolk, Baltimore or neighboring ports. From Norfolk, we continued down through Savannah, GA -- another important port on the East Coast of the United States. The entire way, we saw hundreds of electric power trucks going north after serving in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. As we had been somewhat nervous about venturing south, this was a good sign for us as all the trucks were going in the opposite direction. It’s impressive to see so many people coming from afar to serve their suffering countrymen. From Savannah, we kept going to Jacksonville, Florida, our second stop. Jacksonville is a particularly important harbor for both ocean carriers and railroads. When we arrived, all was back to normal after the latest storm. Interestingly all the people we met were far more focused on the Jacksonville Jaguars (the NFL football team) playing at home that weekend. From Jacksonville, we traveled south to Daytona Beach, Florida -- our last stop on the East Coast. As you may have seen on the news, the East Coast of Florida was severely affected by Hurricane Milton due to tornados and strong wind events as the hurricane made landfall on the west coast and moved across the State.

We crossed Florida to Orlando, the home of Disney World and Universal Studios, another area the storm passed through, happy to see that the damage was not too severe. All had seemingly come back to normal with the theme parks in full operation. We did not stop again until we reached Fort Myers on the West Coast. We spent two days in Fort Myers visiting some very good friends we hadn’t seen in ten years. Our friends Judy and Ken could give us the love we had been waiting for, but they also showed us their own condominium hit by Hurricane Ian two years ago. So many people in this area are still waiting for compensation from their insurance companies from that storm. The second day we made a side trip to Fort Myers Beach and saw how restoration from the devastating damage of Hurricane Ian two years ago has been complicated by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. Along the beach, we could see people united to rebuild with no time for politics. There are still many beachfront lots with holes in the ground from swimming pools without any houses remaining. Ten years ago, the government changed the building code for new houses, making the replacement of buildings much more expensive. The insurance on the older houses will not cover rebuilding under the new building code requirements.

Before leaving home, we had been following Hurricane Milton and wondering where it might come ashore -- the Florida Panhandle, further south on the West Coast or even the East Coast? When we left Fort Myers, we went north through Sarasota just south of Tampa, the area where Milton made a direct hit on October 10th. We saw a lot of debris, but life is coming back. Traffic is back to normal, very heavy as usual. Hurricane Milton made landfall on the west coast of Florida less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene devastated the Big Bend region.

When Hurricane Milton hit, this area was still recuperating from heavy rainfall from Hurricane Debby on August 7 ^th with accumulations up to 20-inches in some places. Hurricane Debbie moved northwards from Sarasota, intensifying before making landfall near Steinhatchee , Florida , east of Tallahassee, moving north through the Southeastern United States, causing widespread flooding from heavy rain. It re-emerged in the Atlantic and made landfall again in South Carolina continuing inland over the United States before traversing Atlantic Canada.

The area suffered a second blow seven weeks later when Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on September 26th near the city of Perry . A state of emergency was declared in Florida and Georgia due to the significant impacts expected, including very high storm surge along the coast and hurricane-force gusts as far inland as Atlanta . Helene inundated Tampa Bay , breaking storm surge records along the entire west coast of Florida but also causing catastrophic rainfall-triggered flooding and numerous tornadoes in western North Carolina , East Tennessee , and southwestern Virginia .

Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida, is always afraid of losing their stunning old trees. Luckily, Hurricane Milton did not affect the city but almost all the areas to the east and south. We wanted to visit Tallahassee because we had never been there. Coming into Tallahassee, we could observe no major problems, and we were so happy we did this route. What a beautiful town with its fantastic trees! If you haven’t been there, we will strongly recommend you put it on your list of places to visit. We had time to do some sightseeing and visited the Governor’s Mansion and the Capitol building. Next time we will make sure we have more time to also include some of their parks. In the evening, we went out for a pizza, and the couples at our neighboring table asked where we were from; we told them we were Norwegians, and it turned out the husband was a third generation Norwegian himself, with family coming over from Finmark. Both his father and grandfather had been carpenters in Wisconsin with the name Lefstead (Lefstad in Norwegian). He was a retired City Architect and could tell us a lot of history and what we should see. We made a good contact, and he followed up with a phone call the following morning! We agreed to assist them in planning their trip to Norway in the future. He had never been to Norway and would like to go to Finmark and experience the changes from what the grandfather had told him. Vigdis and I concluded we can meet Norwegians everywhere. It’s a small world.

From Tallahassee, we drove the smaller roads straight north through Georgia. It was a big surprise to see how badly the state was hit because no news that we had watched had covered the storms effects in Georgia. Many houses were hit by falling trees and we could see debris for hours. Also, we could once again see so many people working together to clean up their community. We quickly learned that news may be selective in its coverage, and that it will be impossible to retell what we have seen with our own eyes. I can try to tell the story in this article, but there are so many impressions we cannot begin to share with you.

From Georgia, we went through South Carolina and North Carolina before returning home. We made a few stops and spent several nights having dinner with locals. Let me tell you the truth about the hard-hit areas in the mountains of North Carolina, being covered and criticized in the news. The truth is that these are very remote areas with only two roads going in – both roads were washed away during the storm, and there was no way to get the rescue equipment in. We met employees from a local Ford dealer; they got involved early collecting supplies and taking them to the local communities, as so many groups have done all over the country. They told us their business owner had used his own aircraft to fly the supplies in the first days after the storm, and he was not the only pilot doing similar trips. The good news is that a temporary road has made it possible to get in with more heavy equipment now.

Our reflection after this long trip is that this country comes together when it’s needed. We are all working together towards the same goal when disaster strikes -- to rebuild our community. There is so much love for our neighbors. Our overall experience is that most things are again working as normal, with the exception of the individual suffering of people who still have a lot of work to be done. Let’s reach out to them in this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas and in the difficult years of rebuilding ahead.

Back in Maryland, we are adjusting our impressions and will do our best to communicate that the country is not as divided as we see in the news. There is so much love and hope -- we should all appreciate and build upon it.

Through My Eyes - October 2024

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 12:14:45 GMT

One way we know that Fall is coming in Norway is when our dear HM The King goes onboard the Royal Yacht, Kongeskipet MS NORGE, for the last time to inspect the crew and honor them for their service. Called the debarking, it marks the end of the season for this beautiful ship. This year, as in so many before, he was accompanied by HM The Queen and The Crown Prince. The ship was used this year for royal visits to local communities, like their visit to Agder and Rogaland. On June 1st, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit used the yacht to attend an anniversary celebration at Moster in Vestland marking the 1000-year-jubilee of the first Christian Laws of Norway introduced by King Olaf Haraldsson and Bishop Grimkjell at Mostratinget (a court meeting) in 1024.

The ship has also been used for other official events, like when the King attended the 80-year anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France on June 6 ^th . The Norge is one of the world’s two remaining royal yachts since the British Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned in 1997. In May, the only other royal yacht in the world, the Danish Dannebrog, and the Norge were sailing together the Oslo Fjord on a Royal Visit to Oslo.

After WWII, the question of a royal yacht arose. The Norwegian press appealed to the people to raise the funds necessary to present King Haakon with a yacht on his 75th birthday. Among the followers of the appeal were 300,000 Norwegian school children. The King had become a true national hero through his steadfast resistance against Nazi Germany. In July 1947, the British motor yacht Philante was purchased for NOK 1.5 million. The ship is owned by His Majesty the King but is manned and maintained by the Royal Norwegian Navy. The Royal Standard is flown from the aftermost mast when the King is on board the Royal Yacht. At the time it was built in England in 1937 for the British aircraft manufacturer Thomas Sopwith, the 264-foot long Philante was one of the largest vessels of its kind. Sopwith used the yacht as a base when competing in ocean regattas. She served in the Royal Navy as an armed yacht during the Second World War . The Philante first entered Norwegian waters in 1938 in connection with a regatta at Hankø in Eastern Norway. In fact, our kings still use the vessel as a base when competing in major yacht races.

Another sign of Fall to me is seeing the children going back to school, bringing their Matpakke (“packed lunch”), homemade open-faced sandwiches wrapped in food paper. It’s a tradition in Norway to cover a single slice of bread with quite simple ingredients, typically yellow or brown cheese, ham or salami or -- in my day -- the very typical Norwegian Kaviar spread from a tube. If my mother had the time, I would get boiled egg with the Kaviar. Today you can buy small tubes for one piece of bread to be spread on just before eating. That way you spare your fellow students from smelling the fish through the paper.

Kaviar is a rich and flavorful paste made primarily from fish roe, not to be confused with fish egg caviar, a dining delicacy. Kaviar is a staple in Scandinavian cuisine, particularly loved in Norway. The production of kaviar in Norway dates back centuries influenced by the geographical and cultural context of local communities. As a nation with extensive coastlines and a robust fishing industry, the Norwegian fishing community saw the potential in utilizing fish roe, which was often discarded. Instead of letting this valuable resource go to waste, they began to refine the process of turning roe into kaviar. Initially, kaviar production was a rustic affair, often conducted in individual households. Fish caught during the fishing season was processed quickly to use the roe before it spoiled. Over the years, with the advent of industrialization and advances in preservation techniques, kaviar production transitioned to a more commercial enterprise.

Norwegian kaviar can generally be categorized into several types based on the type of fish used—typically cod (skrei), herring, or salmon. Each type has its unique flavor profile and characteristics. Kaviar made from the roe of Atlantic cod is particularly popular in Norway. It offers a mild flavor complemented by a slightly sweet undertone, which makes it quite versatile. This is the Kaviar I prefer and most children in Norway would agree.

Herring Kaviar is known for its intense flavor, and it is the preference of many Norwegians. It is typically saltier than its cod counterpart. Salmon Kaviar is a variant that is appreciated for its firm texture and rich, slightly smoky flavor.

The production of Norwegian kaviar follows several meticulous steps, each crucial to ensuring the quality and freshness of the final product. The journey starts with the harvesting of fish roe during the fishes' spawning season, typically between late winter and early spring when the fish are at their best. After the roe is harvested, it is carefully cleaned to remove any impurities and membranes that could affect the taste and texture. The cleaned roe is then mixed with salt to enhance flavor and act as a preservative. In many cases, additional ingredients such as sugar, lemon juice or spices might be added to enhance the flavor profile. This is where regional variations can emerge, giving different producers their unique touch. Once processed, the kaviar is vacuum-packed or canned to maintain freshness. Proper packaging is critical to prevent spoilage and ensure that consumers receive a high-quality product. Most of the Kaviar we buy in the US from Norwegian stores is made from cod and is of the mild kind. Well-known brands are Mills (see picture), Kavli and Abba from Sweden. My favorite brand is Mills which is available in the US from the store at the Seaman Church and other stores and supermarkets. Kaviar holds a cherished place in Norwegian culture. It is a traditional favorite on breakfast tables, commonly spread on bread, paired with boiled eggs or used as a garnish for other dishes.

Back to the coming of Fall, many Americans would be surprised to learn that Halloween celebrations have been growing in popularity in Norway since the 1990s. Increased exposure to American culture through movies, TV shows, and books are the major influences in the trend. Walk down any Norwegian street on October 31st and you will likely see children in costumes going from door to door uttering the phrase “knask eller knep” – Norwegian for “trick or treat.” It is common for adults to attend Halloween parties where elaborate costumes are the norm at bars and clubs with Halloween themed games to celebrate the spooky evening.

For me, a favorite part of Fall is the celebration of the harvest at church when we decorate with all the vegetables and flowers from the local farmers, known as Høsttakkefest. I take the opportunity to give thanks for the rich selection of food we receive and can share with others. In Norway, it is typically observed in September and mostly celebrated in local churches. Høsttakkefest is linked to the Michaelmas on September 29 ^th . On this day, the Catholic Church remembers the archangel Mikael who weighed the souls that wanted to enter heaven. You will know it more as Thanksgiving which is mainly celebrated in the USA and Canada. The first Thanksgiving goes back to 1621 when it was a Christian observation by the first English immigrants when the harvest was secured, typically at the end of November. In Norway this is still primarily a religious event, but in the US the Christian aspect is less significant. It has become a national holiday -- more important for some than either Christmas or Halloween.

Now Fall is upon us, and we all go back to our day-to-day life. It’s a time for school, work, sports and hobbies. After spending the summer in Norway, Vigdis and I will be spending more time at home or together with friends in different organizations. For us in the Norwegian Society its almost time for the Annual Meeting. I hope to see many of you at meetings, at church, and hear from you about topics you would like me to cover in future articles. Enjoy the Fall and all its blessings.

Travel in Southern Norway - September 2024

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 12:30:37 GMT

This summer I have enjoyed a coolcation in Norway with Vigdis, our granddaughter Elma and our dog, Buddy…and let me just state that we were not alone. I have never seen so many foreign-registered cars, motorcycles, and even bicycles! In addition, many cruise ships travel along the coast and numerous people from other countries in Europe are traveling by train as the railroads offer hiking tickets and interrail tickets for all ages.

In early August, we took a road trip along the southern coast of Norway. We had two goals for the trip: first, we wanted to visit the southeast point in Norway with the lighthouse of Lindesnes, the oldest lighthouse in Norway; and then we wanted to investigate one of the shortest fjords in Norway, Jøssingfjord, and the newly opened science museum, VITENMUSEUM.

The first stop on our trip, the Lindesnes Lighthouse, was built in 1915. The 16.1-metre (53 ft) tall lighthouse is cast iron with a granite foundation. The lighthouse is painted white with a red top. The light sits at an elevation of 50.1 meters (164 ft.) and it emits a fixed and flashing white light that is always on, rotating between a low intensity and high intensity light every 20 seconds. The light comes from a first order Fresnel lens made in France that can be seen for up to 17.7 nautical miles (32.8 km. or 20.4 miles). The current lighthouse replaced a light station built in 1656 to mark the entrance to the Skagerak and the Baltic Sea from the North Sea. Two Lighthouse Keepers still work there -- the only ones in the country.

The Lighthouse is about ten kilometers south of the village of Hollen in Agder county, one of Norway’s richest archeological sites. Numerous Bronze and Viking Age artifacts have been found here. Lindesnes Lighthouse Museum has exhibits that teach visitors about the history, construction and cultural significance of the lighthouse which serves as the headquarters of the Museum of The Norwegian Coastal Administration. During World War II, the Lighthouse was taken over by the Germans. Being an important watchpoint, the Germans built a small fortress with four guns and, after a while, a radar antenna. The traces from World War II are still visible as trenches, tunnels and other fortifications. In the 1950s, the Lighthouse was electrified, and the fog signal was replaced with a powerful Diaphone. The fog signal was closed as a navigational aid in 1988, but it is still operational and is used on special occasions.

Driving from Lindesnes to Jøssingfjord along the North Sea Road (Route 40) is quite a scenic route that I recommend for your travel to the fjord. Our 13-year-old granddaughter may have preferred that I use the highway, but we hope she will remember to repeat this tour when she has her own family. The 3-kilometre (1.9 mile) long Jøssingfjord is narrow and deep and is surrounded by mountains. There is a road that runs along the southeast coast of the fjord, with sharp hairpin turns leading down from the mountains and some settlement on the southeastern side of the fjord.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the region's industrial history is Norway's significant contribution to "making the world white." This phrase refers to the production of titanium dioxide (TiO2), a key ingredient in white paint, coatings, plastics, cosmetics and various other products. Norway, particularly the region around Jøssingfjord, played a crucial role in the extraction and production of this mineral. I grew up almost next to the Kronos Titan plant in Fredrikstad, and it took me more than 70 years to learn the full story of how this fjord made worldwide history.

Titanium was discovered in Cornwall, Great Britain, by William Gregor in 1791 and was named by Martin Heinrich Klaproth after the Titans of Greek mythology. Titanium is a chemical element; it has the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. Found in nature only as an oxide, it can be reduced to produce a lustrous transition metal with a silver color, low density, and high strength, resistant to corrosion in sea water, aqua regia, and chlorine. The element occurs within several minerals, principally rutile and ilmenite, which are widely distributed in the Earth's crust and lithosphere; it is found in almost all living things, as well as bodies of water, rocks, and soils. The metal is extracted from its principal mineral ores by the Kroll and Hunter processes. The most common compound, titanium dioxide, is a popular photocatalyst and is used in the manufacture of white pigments. Other compounds include titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), a component of smoke screens and catalysts; and titanium trichloride (TiCl3), which is used as a catalyst in the production of polypropylene.

Titanium dioxide is prized for its whiteness and opacity. Ilmenite, the mineral from which titanium dioxide is derived, was mined extensively in the area. The production of titanium dioxide helped Norway become a major player in the global market, providing the world with high-quality white pigments that have been used in countless products worldwide. This industry not only brought economic prosperity to the region but also left a lasting impact on global industries reliant on white pigments.

The Tellnes mine is one of Norway's largest titanium mines and, in fact, one of the largest titanium mines in Europe. The mine has reserves amounting to more than 300,000,000 tons of ore grading 18% titanium. The deposit of titanium was discovered in 1954 and production at the mine began in October 1960. Each year there is about 2,000,000 tons of ore and 1,600,000 tons of rock waste removed from the open pit mine. This resulted in about 580,000 tons of ilmenite concentrate from the mine.

Located in the mountains about four kilometers (2.5 miles) northeast of the fjord, the mine is run by a company called Titania, and the fjord is used as the shipping port for the company. Titania accounts for ten percent of the world's ilmenite production. The corporation was registered in the Kristiania (former name of Oslo) trade register on April 29, 1902. Professor Peder Farup received a patent in Norway to produce a titanium-containing dye in 1909, and together with Dr. Gustav Jebsen he developed methods for the industrial production of titanium dioxide for pigment (titanium white). In 1916, most of the shares were taken over by Titan Co. from Fredrikstad, which wanted to secure raw materials for its own production of titanium white, a completely white powder used as dye in almost everything white surrounding you -- almost everything white except food, that is. It became illegal to use it in food in the European Union in 2022.

The Helleren Power Plant is located at the head of the fjord. The electricity is generated by water from lakes located high in the mountains and the water is piped down to the sea level power plant. The force of the falling water produces electricity. Also located at the head of the fjord is the small Helleren farm which is now abandoned. It sits in a narrow valley with steep rock cliffs on two sides, a rock scree on the third side, and the fjord on the fourth side. The base of one of the rock cliffs stops about eight meters (26 ft) above the ground forming a rock shelter, or heller (hence the name of the farm). The farm is preserved and is now owned by the folk museum.

Adjacent to Jøssingfjorden, there is an exciting museum known as the Jøssingfjord Vitenmuseum (Jøssingfjord Science Museum). Situated in spectacular surroundings, the museum offers a unique experience where natural science, technology and history are combined. It focuses on the area's geology, industrial history and the technological developments that have shaped the region. Visitors can learn about the mountain formations surrounding the fjord, the industrial processes central to the area's economic development and historical events such as the Altmark Affair. Interactive exhibits and educational programs provide insights as to how nature and human activities have shaped the landscape and communities around Jøssingfjord. The museum is extremely popular among school groups but offers something for visitors of all ages.

Some of you may remember the dramatic history at Jøssingfjord during WWII known as the Altmark incident. On February 16, 1940, the German supply ship Altmark was drilled by a British navy ship. Almost three hundred British sailors were liberated from prisoner of war status by the Germans. The Altmark incident was used by the Germans as an excuse to attack Norway two months later on April 9, 1940. I might have to come back to this fascinating history later because this was not the goal for our visit; but if you would like to know more about it, there is an interesting video at The Strange Incident that Changed WW2 (youtube.com).

We enjoyed this short vacation exploring new destinations to all of us and following up from my previous article regarding numerous tourists have been attracted by the cooler temperatures in Norway than in their homelands. So many come from central Europe, probably because we have a ferry service both from Denmark and Germany making the tour more pleasant. I highly recommend these destinations for your next visit to Norway.

Coolcation - July 2024

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:30:37 GMT

Traveling to Norway for the summer in mid-June always connects us with Americans traveling to Norway, at the airport and on board the plane. I use the opportunity to ask where they are going, why they selected Scandinavia and their possible previous experiences. Scandinavian Airlines and Iceland Air benefit from land vacationers and cruise passengers during the summer which compensates for the lack of business travelers not traveling as much as other times of the year.

Today, I am happy to introduce you to a new word, “Coolcation” -- the meaning of which is a holiday in a place where the weather is not terribly warm, usually because people do not want to go somewhere that has become too hot due to climate change. For most people, and especially for Scandinavians, summer holidays used to be about following the sun, seeking the heat. With the intense, record-breaking temperatures of recent years, however, many are considering travelling in the opposite direction: booking “coolcations” in more temperate destinations like Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and even Alaska in the US, which sites also might have the benefit of being less crowded. An increasing number of travelers are seeking refuge in cooler climates, swapping beach towels for cozy sweaters. Whether it’s the majestic landscapes of Norway, the snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps, the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies or the remote wilderness of Alaska, “coolcations” are quickly becoming a favorite way to escape the summer heat.

Recently, Vigdis and I traveled to Norway in the middle of June together with a nice couple from Phoenix, Arizona. They told us that when they left home it was 110 degrees Fahrenheit, so they were going to Bergen to join a Viking cruise ship enroute to the British Islands for 14 days. We had a nice chat about their first destination being Oslo where they would board a train taking them over the mountains to Bergen. Their choice of vacation is becoming more and more common for Americans. According to top travel experts like Conde Nast, “coolcationing” is one of the hottest (or coolest) travel trends this year. Today more than 50% of tourists choose their destination because of the climate and weather.

“We expect all time high numbers” (when it comes to international tourism) this summer, says Merete Habberstad, Director of Communication at NHO (a Norwegian Employers’ organization with more than 30,000 members.) in an interview with the tabloid newspaper VG. Her organization just conducted a survey among member organizations within the travel industry, which indicated that 24 % of the member organizations expect an increase in international tourists compared to last year. In interviews with travelers in Bergen, most of them complained about extreme heat in their homeland. Researchers expect the heat to be at least at the same level this year in the south of Europe and the Americas. Another finding from the tourists is that they would like to stay longer when visiting Norway. People from Italy, France and Spain represent the increase from southern Europe, but we also see many Americans rerouting their destinations to Scandinavia. In Norway, Bergen, Oslo, Lofoten and Tromsø in the north are among the most popular destinations. The numbers show that June, July, and August have increased from last year. Already in early June an increased number of international tourists were observed on the streets of Bergen.

So far, the volume of tourism is under control and does not represent a huge challenge, however it’s time to prepare for increased visitors and plan for year around tourism. An increased number of people requires changes in organizing the flow of tourists, and experts are trying to spread the increase to various locations as well as spacing it throughout the year. In the survey by NHO Travel, they also found that five out of six Norwegians plan to vacation in Norway this year, so it’s important to make it a positive experience for the local residents as well as for the tourists. Studies show that Norwegians are more concerned with quality time. Younger people are most interested in being physically active, trying something exciting and new, experiencing an adrenaline rush. Visitors under thirty-five are more likely to try Via Ferrata (a climbing route in the mountains that employs fixed steel cables, rungs, or ladders to which climbers secure themselves to limit any fall) and canyoning, a sport that combines several outdoor sports. A canyoneer uses techniques such as hiking, climbing, rappelling, swimming, and sometimes sliding down natural water slides.

The best time to witness the phenomenon of the midnight sun in Norway is during the summer months. From late May to mid-July, the Arctic Circle (and regions above it) experiences 24 hours of daylight, creating the perfect conditions to embrace the magic of the perpetual sun. Extended daylight hours allow ample time to explore, engage in outdoor activities, and immerse yourself in the uniqueness of the midnight sun. Your best chance of witnessing the Northern Lights, however, comes if you travel between the months of November and March – although you can also see them as early as September if you go to the far north – and somewhere rural and as remote as possible, away from any lighted areas.

Visit Norway, (www.visitnorway.com), which calls itself “the official travel guide to Norway,” interviews domestic and international tourists every year. In their surveys, they get answers as to what motivates visitors to travel to Norway, what the visitors do during travel in Norway, how many days and nights they stay and their level of satisfaction. Experiencing nature is a must, and fjords and mountains top the list. Most foreign visitors are looking for peace and quiet, but this does not mean sitting still. They enjoy countless activities with various forms of walking and hiking as the most popular outdoor activities, closely followed by nature “experiences” such as found in the fjords, mountains and wilderness.

Interest in culture, art and history increases with age. Tourists over the age of sixty-five are most interested in cultural experiences during their holidays, especially experiences linked to history and cultural heritage. What captivates visitors across generations is an interest in experiencing the local culture, food and lifestyle by visiting authentic restaurants and trying new dishes. Americans, Australians and Brits generally fit this category, while it is less important for guests from neighboring countries and the Baltics. Getting to know the places better is the most important motive for cultural experiences across all markets and most important for a large majority of guests from Southern Europe and the USA.

Foreign travelers who are satisfied with the attractions and sights they have visited are more willing to recommend Norway as a destination to others. Exciting and interesting attractions and sights are the most important driver for increasing satisfaction and willingness to recommend, followed by welcoming local people. Visitors to Norway are most satisfied with the accommodations and the hospitality and service they experienced here, according to the Visit Norway surveys. They were less satisfied with the weather, food and local products. In general, women are more satisfied than men, and the oldest are more satisfied than the youngest.

Satisfaction is highest from the USA and other countries outside Europe, and there is an increase in satisfaction among tourists from the USA, Great Britain, Austria and Switzerland, compared to 2019.

A full 16 percent of foreign tourists answered that "good food in restaurants and eateries" was not relevant on their trip in Norway with 30 percent of German tourists and 24 percent of Dutch tourists answered "not relevant" to whether they were satisfied with food in restaurants and eateries. The guests from these markets also spend the least money of all markets and travel largely in motorhomes.

While some visitors come for vacation, they end up turning it into a move north to find a new quality of life, especially young people attracted by the fresh air and amazing nature. These new residents are not only Norwegians but increased people from central Europe. It’s not unusual to meet couples from the Netherlands, Germany and France in small towns and rural areas in the north of Norway.

I wish you all a great summer and sweet dreams about a cooler place.

Through my Hopeful Eyes - June 2024

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:30:36 GMT

“Hope is not a passive exercise in wishing, but an active approach to life, arising when there is something we want when we've got a clear goal in mind. And though it may be tough going, we’ll develop a plan to get us closer to where we want to go.”

This is the lifelong philosophy of Polly Campbell posted on the Psychology Today website on February 5, 2019. Campbell is the host of the Polly Campbell, Simply Said podcast and the author of three books, including How to Live an Awesome Life and Imperfect Spirituality. Campbell believes that “Hopeful people believe they can influence their goals, that their efforts can have a positive impact.” If you have read my articles in the past, you know that is why I keep coming back to my own hope for more initiatives to protect our oceans. Even more important for all Norwegians is protection of the fjords. There are many reasons to be pessimistic about pollution of the oceans, fjords and coastlines, but I keep looking for what can give me hope. This month I would like to recognize and honor several individuals who have taken action to make a difference in this huge problem.

I must thank journalist Knut-Sverre Horn, a writer and photographer for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) and 2023 winner of the title Wildlife Photographer of the Year in the urban wildlife category of London’s Natural History Museum contest. His May article in The Norwegian Broadcast focuses on work being done in Laksefjord (Salmon fjord) at the top of Norway, in the east of Finnmark, facing north towards the Barents Sea. The mighty Laksefjord is relatively deep, with some islets and skerries (reefs). Especially in the inner part, there is bustling birdlife and important nesting areas. The rich fjord has, of course, attracted people for time immemorial.

In the article, I read that a cleaning team led by Rune Muladal, General Manager of Naturtjenester i Nord AS (an environmental service company) recently started collecting the plastic that Muladal first noticed in the 90s. “We saw that there was a lot of plastic in the fjord, but we didn't think much about it at the time. It was part of the coastline. A lot of plastic on the shore was quite common.” As a biologist, he gained a new perspective on the matter when he found plastic in the stomachs of seabirds, plastic in bottom samples from the sea, and plastic floating in rivers. “It has been an eye-opener in recent years!” Muladal has had a special relationship with the Laksefjord ever since he visited the area for the first time. In 2021, an opportunity opened to do something for the natural pearl. Then money was announced to clean up waste in the sea. “I had decided that the year I turned 50 would be dedicated to Laksefjorden. So, then I celebrated both my 50th birthday and 17 May out in the fjord with my colleagues, local community groups - and the waste.”

“It was calculated that there would be somewhere between 12 and 16 tons of plastic in the entire Laksefjorden,” says Muladal. The result after one summer (3,500 working hours) of clearing? 50 tons of waste! “It is significantly more than expected,” according to Muladal. “I would say that we have taken away up to half of the waste. We have cleaned a quarter of the fjord but have taken the most polluted areas.” The big question: Where does it come from, the huge amounts of plastic that reach our coast? Rune Muladal and his team found some answers last year. Much of what drifts onto the coast comes from the fisheries. “When we have cleaned a beach and filled 14 large sacks, at least 10 of them are fisheries related. Then we have four which are bottles and household waste, industrial and building materials – there’s an incredible number of shoes. We have been wondering about that a lot. Where do all those shoes come from?”

They also found that strong ocean currents had brought one piece more than 5,000 kilometers, or 3,106 miles, proof that garbage from half the globe will end up in this fjord all the way to north Norway. An ink cartridge from HP has a special history. It came from a freighter that sank off the east coast of the USA, south of Nova Scotia, in January 2014. The production number has allowed researchers to follow the cartridge’s journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Who knows, maybe it has spun an extra round in the sea with the equatorial current before it hit the North Atlantic route to Norway, Finnmark and Laksefjorden. It was found there nine years after the sinking, thanks to patriotic people cleaning our beaches. More have opened their eyes. From this year forward, several beaches from Hvaler island in the south to Varanger in the north will be monitored as part of an extensive international collaboration.

Another initiative I would like to honor is the project “UTÅLMODIG” (Impatient) which is also the name of a 39” catamaran sailing along the Norwegian coast from the south all the way to the north for six months in 2024. The initiative takers are two friends of many of us from their time in D.C., Camilla Bache-Mathiesen and her husband André Mundal. I met Camilla for the first time as an intern at the Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. and her husband was a diplomat at the Norwegian Embassy. Many years later, I read that Camilla is actively fighting for our environment and André is actively working for the green movement as he also writes his new book “De flinkeste slutter” (The best quit). Camilla is the founder and leader of the environmental organization Grønnere Sammen (Greener Together) and project manager for the project “Utålmodig.” She is passionate about a more sustainable future and has worked for many years to increase knowledge and activate people to work for the climate and the environment. André is a former consultant, diplomat and officer in the Norwegian Armed Forces. He has specialized in the subject of "change and social development” and is particularly concerned that Norway must stand further in the shoes of the green shift. André has a good portion of impatience for climate and the environment. Andre is also the Captain onboard Utålmodig. (www.utaalmodig.com)

In his New Year’s speech, Norwegian King Harald V asked all of us to be more impassioned about the climate and environment. As an answer to the King’s request, these two entrepreneurs and their organization Greener Together launched an impatient movement to contribute to a faster green transition. They will make stops and meet with people along the coast, give speeches and visit green projects in local communities. We wish them safe sailing and successful meetings with many people and institutions with clear goals.

An underwater tunnel is being built north of Stavanger to south of Haugesund. It is 26.7 kilometers (16.7 miles) long and will be the world's longest undersea tunnel. It will also be the world's deepest, with a road almost 400 meters (0.3 miles) below sea level. Rogfast is the name of this huge project. When the tunnels are blasted, pink plastic clips are used to connect wires to the dynamite. After the explosions, the plastic clips -- together with the blasted rock -- are transported out of the tunnels in a truck. Then everything is dumped on the seabed. It has been over six years since the first bursts of dynamite went off, and now the plastic clips have spread far with the ocean currents. People have reported finding these plastic clips 140 kilometers (87 miles) away from undersea tunnel project, although The Norwegian Road administration is unsure whether all the plastic remains found in Western Norway come from the Rogfast project.

This brings me to my third example of people engaged in environmental action -- Arve Jåtun, Project Manager for marine litter for Jæren Friluftsråd, a local organization for the environment close to Stavanger. Jåtun says they have picked up around 50 of these plastic clips along the Jærkysten and the fjords in Ryfylke. “The negative is that this is plastic material. It is not sustainable to have plastic in nature,” he says. The Road Administration has introduced cleaning actions which are conducted once a month in the winter and twice a month in the summer. The Road Administration will spend NOK 1 million ($100,000) this year on finding the pieces of plastic. They will search in the nearby areas of the tunnel.

I think these three examples can give you a sense of the size of the challenges we are facing. Even if we have reasons to be pessimistic about pollution of our waters, it gives us hope to have individuals taking positive actions. They deserve to be recognized for the time and effort they expend to make a difference in our environment and a brighter future for all of us.

I wish you all a great summer and please, pick up trash along your way. Each of us can make a little progress and inspire others to do the same.

Through my Hopeful Eyes - May 2024

Wed, 01 May 2024 14:39:36 GMT

I certainly hope to see many of you this year at Carderock Park on May 12th to celebrate the Norwegian Constitution Day. Why do we celebrate May 17th? Norway's Constitution was unanimously adopted by the National Assembly at Eidsvoll on May 16, 1814, and was signed the following day, May 17, 1814. The actual celebration of Constitution Day began in 1836 when the day was instituted as a public holiday. People are dressed up in their absolute best clothes and, if you are lucky enough to have a bunad -- the Norwegian National costume -- May 17th is the day to wear it. The 17th of May is often called Children's Day, as opposed to many other countries celebrating their constitution day with military parades. The first children’s parade was arranged in Oslo in 1870, after an initiative by the famous poet and Nobel Prize winner, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. The first parade was for boys only; girls participated starting in 1889. School children and school bands go together in the parade, where the children wave Norwegian flags and shout hurray or sing along when the band plays. Everyone else stands along the parade route and watches and waves to the children. It is a full day celebration, from early morning to late evening.

You will find children’s parades all over the country, in small communities and larger towns. The Constitution Day in Norway is an official holiday where children are the honorary guests! The day often starts at 6:30 am with a cannon salute if one is available, and the Norwegian flag will be raised. It is the local communities’ responsibility to set their official program, but it generally starts at 7 am, often with a speech locally, crowning of monuments, morning worship at churches and music by school marching bands. Many families will use the early morning to iron their children’s linen skirts as well as the small flags to be used at the children’s parades. After the children's parade, there are celebratory speeches and celebratory services in the churches. Afterwards, it is common to arrange games and other entertainment for the children in the school yard or the surrounding area. Ice cream, soft drinks and sausages top the children's party menu, and it is an unwritten rule for many that the children can eat as much ice cream as they can stomach on this one day.

One of the most recognizable and highly anticipated pictures every year is undoubtedly the King and his family waving to the children in the Oslo parade from the balcony of the Royal Palace. Hopefully, we will get a glimpse of the Royal family this year since King Harald (87) has been sick since February, after a vacation in Malaysia. In addition to an infection, he returned to Norway with a temporary pacemaker to help his heart during the long travel. Once back in Norway, he got a permanent pacemaker at the National Hospital in Oslo. Since then, he has been on sick leave, spending time with his wife, Queen Sonja, at their farm at Bygdøy, just outside the City. All Norwegians are concerned when the King is sick, so we rejoiced at the news that the King had moved back to the Royal Castle, was going back to work on April 22 ^nd and would be ready to wave at the people on May 17th.

The main program for this holiday may differ according to local traditions. The parades might include a people's parade (folketog), which features local workplaces, groups and societies. Many Norwegians volunteer in their communities, so they might have trouble deciding who to march with! In other places, the parades end with the high school graduates (russetog), who often look a little worse for wear as “russefeiring ” (several weeks of celebration something like Spring Break) comes to an end on Constitution Day. About 42,000 young people graduate from Norwegian upper secondary schools each year.

As warmer weather comes to the beautiful landscapes of Norway, children of all ages are filled with national pride. Norway celebrates Labour Day on May 1 ^st and May 8 ^th is Liberation Day marking the end of Norway’s occupation during World War II. Enthusiasm grows for the 17th of May with its vibrant parades and lively gatherings. Everyone wants to be part of the celebration!

In Norway’s second largest city, Bergen, the citizens wake up at 7 a.m. to salutes and a Morning Procession. Next, everyone pauses for a Bergen tradition --a big May 17th breakfast at home or in one of the City's hotels and restaurants. This could include Rømmegrøt, a fatty porridge made with sour cream, milk, and a bit of flour served with butter, sugar and cinnamon. This dish has long traditions in Norway and is often served on holidays at the same time as cured meats such as fenalår, a salted and dried leg of lamb dating back to the Vikings. This is Norway’s version of the serrano ham eaten in Spain or Parma ham enjoyed in Italy.

Some official recognition and commemorative mentions take place, and then it is time for the biggest feature. TWO parades -- the Main Procession and the Flag Parade – at the same time going in opposite directions along the same route! Another unique thing about Bergen’s parade is the inclusion of the Buekorps ("Bow Corps" or "Archery Brigade") formed in the middle of the 19th century in many Norwegian cities but today found only in Bergen. Buekorps is an organization for and by children where exercise, marching, sports, trips and outings are essential elements and where the officers support the young soldiers. In earlier times, it was common to distinguish between Saturday bow corps and Sunday bow corps. Those who played in the Saturday bow corps were generally from better-off families who could take Saturdays off. The Sunday bow corps were for those who only had Sundays off. Originally, only boys joined the archery corps; the first girl buekorps was formed in 1991. Today, the archery corps consists of both girls and boys and has activities on many different days of the week. The bow corps are neutral in terms of politics , religion and ethnic affiliation. The bow corps do both music and various sports, and the bow corps teach the children a lot about discipline. It's a sign of spring in Bergen when you hear the bow corps drumming through the City's streets and lanes!

After this, there are speeches, singing, music, concerts, games, and entertainment - until it all ends with fireworks on the “Festplassen” (city gathering place) just before midnight.

I have so many memories of Constitution Day, first of all playing in the school marching band for many years of my childhood with not much time for anything else. Vigdis and I have celebrated 17. May in my hometown of Fredrikstad and in Oslo, London and Washington D.C. When we had our own children, the festivities were focused on them. After they were grown, I was the Chair for the event for many years in D.C. During that time, the one I probably remember best – the first time our granddaughter Elma walked in the Oslo parade – took place, and we had to be in D.C. It was a very sad celebration for us!

We all look forward to celebrating this year’s Constitution Day whether in Norway or somewhere else in the world. In Washington DC, the May 12 ^th event in Carderock Park might be one of multiple events during the week for many of you. If you would like to see the local celebrations in Norway, I recommend using Facebook and the Norwegian TV always has great coverage.

In the beginning of April, we heard that the King’s sick leave was extended for two weeks. Crown Prince Haakon carried out his father's duties in the latter's absence, but just before I finished this article, we received the press release that the King would resume his constitutional duties as head of state. He will work less but maintain what he has said all along that he has taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life. This is how King Harald answered when he was asked in January if he has considered giving up the throne after the queen in Denmark, Queen Margrethe, did so. Even though he will reduce the workload, he will still conduct meetings and audiences at the Palace and continue to go on official visits around the country. In the press release they stated that "However, the king will make adjustments to his program in the future due to his age. This will entail a permanent reduction in the number and scope of activities the king participates in. Practical arrangements will also be made in the implementation of his official activity."

That said, the royal palace listed three separate meetings in the King’s schedule for Monday, April 22nd with senior military officers, including the head of Norway's armed forces. I can only imagine the questions he had about all the conflicts going on in the world. On Thursday he was set to meet Norway's foreign minister and receive new ambassadors from Argentina, Sweden and Costa Rica. Foreign ambassadors cannot assume their duties in Norway until they have met the King in a so-called solemn audience. A weekly meeting with the government was scheduled for last Friday. King Harald leads the Council of Ministers at the Palace every Friday at 11 a.m., and it is one of the most important tasks the King performs.

The King performed 431 assignments last year including trips and visits around Norway, official trips abroad, audiences at the Palace, Cabinet meetings, receptions and formal audiences. According to the Constitution, the King must lead the Council of Ministers and perform the ceremonial opening of the Storting every autumn. Europe's oldest monarch has long been working full time for the kingdom.

We all have an extra reason to celebrate this year, appreciating our great King and his family, and hopefully seeing them all back on the balcony waving to us. Happy 17 ^th of May!

Through my Hoperful Eyes - April 2024

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 12:04:06 GMT

Just before Christmas, I was diagnosed with cancer. When you receive a diagnosis of a serious health issue, your priorities change. Having time to think over Christmas and going into the new year, I decided to make Hope my theme for the new year -- hope for my personal life, hope for our community, and hope in the world. Without hope in my life, I would probably not be writing to you today. In this life, there is no escaping heartache. Sorrow is a natural emotion, and the tears that go with sorrow can be healthy. Hope allows us to feel the pain and then work toward healing. It keeps us from staying stuck in sorrow or the pit of despair which is neither healthy nor natural. Sharing with you what I am concerned about gives me hope. If you share your concerns with your friends, it can give you hope as well.

To me, hope means setting personal expectations and desires for the year, the hope of sharing more love among people and always hoping for better decisions from world leaders. If you have read some of my articles of past years, you might remember I have often focused on democracy, climate -- including caring for the oceans -- and politics. I hope this year will bring us leaders who dare and individuals with courage. For too long we have listened to lots of big talk but seen very little action in all key areas. It is easy to become discouraged. A January 23, 2024 article composed by various Boston University staff members said it well, “Sometimes it feels like the world is one long, sad trombone sound—wah-wah-wah-wah. The planet’s melting. Democracy’s dying. Our mental health is worsening. The Middle East is at war. AI is going to take all our jobs. Education’s deteriorating. Healthcare’s a fortune. Journalism doesn’t matter anymore. Inflation, inflation, inflation. Oh yeah, and the T (local metro) is down—again!” Although that last item is a concern particular to Bostonians, we can all certainly relate to the other dire predictions and get mired down in pessimism. Thanks to the help of a range of faculty experts from across Boston University, we now have all sorts of reasons to feel optimistic about 2024 and beyond.

Let’s talk about climate first where we have experts, nations and leaders setting goals with very little positive solutions to follow. The BU article agrees “There are lots of reasons to be pessimistic about climate change: the slow pace of policy change at the national and international levels, resistance and challenges around phasing out fossil fuel use, the very real existential threats to life and the natural world from storms, sea level rise, and droughts.” But staff member Jessica Colarossi quoted Pamela Templer, a College of Arts & Sciences professor and chair of biology who studies the effects of climate change, who sees reasons to be optimistic that the worst can still be avoided. “I see students taking action all the time. They recognize that climate change is already affecting their lives and, if something isn’t done soon to change course, their futures will be widely affected by the negative effects of climate change,” she says. “We can’t ignore their voices—with youth voices, we are more likely to make changes that are effective and will secure their futures.”

My Hope in 2024 is ignited by a growing commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. Through conservation efforts, renewable energy initiatives and reforestation projects, there is optimism for mitigating climate change and reducing pollution in order to preserve our planet for future generations.

My Hope also thrives in the world’s collective efforts toward social justice and equality. Communities around the world continue to advocate for human rights, diversity, and inclusion, fostering a more equitable society for all. Today’s democracy divides us around the world, and I believe we need to take democracy back to the people. We need to foster respect for democratic values; we can disagree and fight for our beliefs, but we need to agree to common ground. To me, taking democracy back to the people means that the distance between ordinary people and the leadership has become enormous, and we need to close that distance.

The Boston University article concurs that “There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about democracy this year.” News organizations and political think tanks across the country give the casual observer the impression that “democracy is in a free fall,” says Michael Holm, College of General Studies senior lecturer in social sciences and department chair. Holms believes that the more extreme political fringes—on the left and the right—are getting more airtime than they have in the past. These relatively small groups “can only offer doom and gloom,” he says, though they rarely have the political will to follow through. “I’m optimistic that the system will prevail.” That’s because the “forces of democracy tend to be positive,” Holm says, even if they’re slow-moving or encounter setbacks.

We can also improve democracy by electing new leadership groups. The old-fashioned way is not working. We need more women, and we need “new generation” leaders. I see real hope for democracy in Norway! In 2021, we celebrated the centenary of Karen Platou (Conservative Party) as the first woman to be elected to the Norwegian parliament. The 1921 election was the first Norwegian election with proportional representation which probably helped the chance of a woman being elected. Today, I have the pleasure of sharing a historic picture with you. Since last summer, for the first time in Norway’s history, all the parliamentarian leaders are women. The group marked the occasion of the United Nations International Women’s Day on March 8th by taking a new picture of the 10 leaders. A parliamentarian leader is the highest-ranking member of the different political groups in parliament.

For me, the hope of seeing changes in solving conflicts in the world is based on the fact that we see more female leaders taking on central positions. I have been lucky in my life to chair many leadership teams and serve as a member of many different boards, currently active on ten different boards of directors. When I see women entering the board room, I am confident the board can make better decisions. I am previously a member of a board with only men, and we are not able to take the right actions as we seem to spend more time on internal conflicts than on making the right decisions. I have seen this repeatedly.

Let me make it clear that I don’t recommend filling all board positions with women. I believe we need men as well and think we can still be of use, but I would like to see diversity. We need to see more women entering the rooms where decisions are made on how to address the serious problems of the world.

The Harvard Business Review supports my theory. “Recently updated research shows that women in leadership positions are perceived as being every bit as effective as men. In an analysis of thousands of 360-degree assessments, women were rated as excelling in taking initiative, acting with resilience, practicing self-development, driving for results, and displaying high integrity and honesty. In fact, they were thought to be more effective in 84% of the competencies that we most frequently measure. Men were rated as being better on two capabilities: “develops strategic perspective” and “technical or professional expertise.”

A 2023 article by Amy Novotney for the American Psychological Association stated that women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organizational dedication, and improve fairness. The mere presence of a female leader relative to a male leader led perceivers to anticipate fairer treatment in that organization and greater projected salary and status, according to a 2022 study led by social psychologist Mansi P. Joshi, PhD. Female leaders cued organizational trust in both male- and female-dominated industries and when they occupied different levels of the organizational hierarchy.

Women tend to exhibit high levels of empathy and emotional intelligence, enabling them to understand and connect with team members on a deeper level. Women often excel in communication skills, articulating ideas clearly, listening attentively, and fostering open dialogue. Embracing and empowering women in leadership positions also advances gender equality and fosters a more equitable and inclusive society.

As we venture through 2024, hope remains an indispensable beacon guiding humanity through both triumphs and tribulations. Despite the challenges we face, from global health crises to socio-political unrest, hope persists as a catalyst for progress and resilience. Hope arises from the relentless pursuit of scientific breakthroughs. Whether it's the development of new medical treatments, renewable energy technologies, or space exploration endeavors, each discovery brings with it the promise of a brighter future.

Let me conclude by sharing some good news about my own situation. I had surgery to remove one of my kidneys just before writing to you this month. The surgery went well, and I feel great and am making small improvements every day. The cancer was confined to the kidney, and my excellent doctors believe they got rid of it all by removing the kidney. They hope I will not need any further cancer treatments, and I hope all tests will confirm this promising thought.

I wish you all a great Spring season full of promising thoughts and hope.

Through My Eyes - March 2024

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 13:09:51 GMT

My father always said, “when someone loses, someone else wins.” I think this is certainly true when we talk about the conflict in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal where Houthi rebels began firing on U.S. military and commercial vessels after a deadly blast at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza on October 17th, a few days after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The Houthis, who support Palestinians under attack by Israel in Gaza, claim they only target vessels heading for or with ties to Israel, but others have been hit as well.

On November 19th, Houthi commandos landed a helicopter on the Galaxy Leader cargo vessel as it was passing through the southern Red Sea. They redirected it toward Hodeidah port in Yemen and seized the crew, who are still being held captive. Since then, at least 40 ships (mostly in the southern Red Sea) have been attacked according to Ambrey Analytics, a global maritime risk management firm. The Galaxy Leader is a Vehicle Carrier built in 2002 currently sailing under the flag of Bahamas on a charter by the Japanese shipping company Nippon Yūsen K.K.

The United States is leading an international naval coalition of more than 20 countries including the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain, to help secure the Red Sea and to protect ships passing through the area. Nearly 15 percent of global marine trade passes through the narrow entrance to the Red Sea between Djibouti and Yemen and more vessels were targeted by the Houthis’ drones and missiles earlier this year.

The allies first struck Houthi targets on January 11th after a week in which the Houthis had been particularly defiant, launching several attack drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at merchant vessels and U.S. Navy warships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The nightly attacks are backed by a UN Security Council resolution which stated that there would be consequences if the Houthis in Yemen didn’t halt the attacks on vessels sailing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast on routes to or from the Suez Canal. The Houthis couldn't have mounted those attacks without Iranian support going back for a decade during which the Iranians have been supplying the Houthis, advising them and providing targeting information.

The United States and Great Britain have taken action including retaliatory strikes against the Houthis and shooting down the militia's drones and missiles. In addition, the United States has been intercepting Iran's attempts to smuggle weapons to the Houthis. The U.S. Central Command reported that on January 28th, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Clarence Sutphin Jr. boarded a vessel in the Arabian Sea that was bound for Yemen and seized medium-range ballistic missile parts, explosives, USV components and military-grade communications equipment.

An unnamed US Admiral says the fight against the Houthis in the Red Sea is the largest battle the Navy has fought since World War II. Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its accompanying warships have spent four months straight at sea defending against the missiles and attack drones fired by the Houthis. They are now more regularly also defending against a new threat — fast unmanned vessels that are fired at them through the water.

According to a February 23rd broadcast by NPR’s Jackie Northam, China is “noticeably absent” from the coalition even though it depends on the waterway to safely ship goods to Europe. According to Reuters, China lobbied Iranian officials to curb the activities of Houthi rebels in the Red Sea; but Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society research group, says those talks appear to have had limited effect, so far. "We have to bear in mind that China and Iran are close, but Iran has its own agenda," Thomas says. "But the Houthis are independent actors who also have their own agendas and haven't always listened to Iranians in the past."

The rebels say they will continue firing on commercial and military vessels transiting the region until Israel ceases its military operations inside Gaza. I believe the conflict will last as long as long as Israel is at war with Palestine.

The war itself aside, who loses and who wins from the conflict in the Red Sea? After the coalition retaliated against attacks on commercial vessels, the price of oil shot up and so large oil industries, including Norway‘s, can profit on the situation.

Norwegian ship owners, among ship owners in many countries, also benefit from the conflict. The tension in the Middle East prompted investors to buy shares in shipping companies, so shipping rates and the value of shipping companies are up. In the short term, an escalation in the Middle East will be positive for shipping shares. Large tanker shipping firm Frontline gained as much as 7.28 percent.

Because of the attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, companies must pay higher insurance rates or reroute goods around Africa. Container shipping companies are already opting to sail around Africa -- adding almost two weeks and millions in fuel cost to the shipping. I expect more will do the same, boosting their revenues, but also the price of whatever is on board. Consumers are already being warned to expect higher prices and delays in the delivery of goods which puts them high on the list of losers.

In addition to consumers worldwide, the losers include exporters. One of the many industries suffering deeply is Norwegian fishing exporters who got a significant increase in freight rates which they will have to pay immediately, but they will have to wait much longer before they get paid by customers on the other side of the world. In 2023, Norway exported fish with a value of $17 Billion.

So, where is all this going? I believe we all lose in the end. While there may be some people having financial gain in the short term, we may be in this for a long time. We get a higher cost of living, a lack of goods we are used to having and an unstable world around us. I see volume going down in all logistic chains. But my theme for this year is Hope, so here’s the good news. Many executives whose companies ship goods through the Red Sea and Suez Canal have said the impact so far has been limited, in part because of lessons they learned from the more severe, worldwide supply chain disruptions during the worst of the Covid pandemic.

“Moving forward, disruption will hit companies,” said David Simchi-Levi, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Today it is the Red Sea, tomorrow it will be something else.”

Through My Eyes - February 2024

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:18:13 GMT

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded this year to Narges Mohammadi, a 51 year old Iranian journalist and human rights activist known for her work as deputy director of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, an organization that advocates for political prisoners. The Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee presented the medal in the presence of King Harald V of Norway.

Vigdis and I have been in Norway since Thanksgiving and enjoyed Christmas with our family. As it is almost everywhere in the world, December is a busy time for Norwegians. One of the most important events in December is the awarding of the Nobel Prizes. Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have been presented on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. As stipulated in Nobel’s will, the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine and Literature are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, while the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway.

In Stockholm, Laureates receive the Nobel Prize medal and diploma from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. This year a Norwegian was honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature. Jon Olav Fosse, born in 1959 is a Norwegian writer, poet, playwright, translator, and literary scholar who writes in “Nynorsk,” the second official language (the other is called “Bokmål).” Fosse is prolific and has written over seventy works; novels, stories, poetry collections, essays and plays and even several books for children. He has been translated into over fifty languages. Fosse's plays have been performed in all European countries, mostly in Germany and France, but also, for example, in Poland, England, USA, Brazil, Australia, Cuba, China, Japan and Malawi. He has also rewritten several plays and fiction books himself. Fosse has never published anything in “Bokmål.” In the 1980s, he wrote normal, anti-purist Nynorsk; but, after the year 2000, he uses a more classic Nynorsk with, among other things, an ending in the infinitive. I must admit that I have not read any of his books, mainly because I never learned “Nynorsk” properly. What I have discovered during and after his visit to Stockholm is that his stories deal with questions we all have in life and may have to deal with the language barrier, maybe start with English. Fosse is only the fourth Norwegian to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in literature. The first was Norway's Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson who received the prize in 1903; Knut Hamsun was awarded it in 1920, and Sigrid Undset won in 1928.

Another big event in December was the luncheon their Majesties the King and Queen hosted at the Royal Palace in honor of the 18th birthday of Prince Sverre Magnus who is third in line for the Norwegian throne after his sister, Princess Ingrid Alexandra. Queen Sonja welcomed the guests to the celebratory luncheon and offered some words of advice to the Prince: “Magnus, I would like to say something important to you and to other 18-year-olds in our country today. It’s enough to be who you are. What counts is believing in yourself and listening to your own voice,” the Queen stressed, concluding, “The ability to empathize with others and be a good friend is far more important than being ‘clever’ at all sorts of things. I hope you will help to give other young people the comfort and security this understanding brings. Taking care of the people around us is a job for every one of us.”

Another event of major importance in Norway this past December was a visit by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. President Zelensky’s official visit was at the invitation of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Mr. Støre and Mr. Zelensky had political discussions on Norway’s continued support for Ukraine among other things. King Harald granted President Zelensky an audience with Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit in attendance after which Their Majesties hosted an official luncheon at the Royal Palace in President Zelensky’s honor attended by Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess; the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö; the President of the Storting, Masud Gharahkhani; Prime Minister Støre; Supreme Court Justice Toril Marie Øie; and Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

During his visit, President Zelensky and Prime Minister Støre also engaged in a Nordic Summit that included Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. President Zelensky’s purpose was to ask these Scandinavian leaders for support in the form of more money and additional equipment. He is, of course, concerned that other conflicts in the world are taking the focus away from Ukraine.

With all this activity going on, the most important event for me in December is still the precious time with family and going to church on Christmas Eve. This year we celebrated at my son’s home in Asker, just outside Oslo. Due to the travel involved, we decided to follow the church service on TV. It’s not the same experience but getting older makes us much more careful about too many stops in one day. Maybe next year we will attend church in Asker or perhaps Washington, DC.

Finally, before we welcome in the new year, we must listen to His Majesty King Harald’s traditional New Year's Eve speech from the Royal Palace in Oslo. More than one million Norwegians listen to this speech every year, making it part of their celebration. It has long been our tradition to dress up even if we are just a few family and friends gathered together. We stand in front of the television and listen to the King’s speech followed by the national hymn with live feed pictures from all over the country. Then we share a glass and propose a toast to the King and his family.

This year the King began by quoting from a poem written by Nobel Laureate Jon Fosse, “Invisible hands hire us.” According to the King, “These invisible hands can be so much different: love, friendship, a belief in God, will, hope. We all need some invisible hands. And many of us need them a little extra now. Both here at home and in the world around us.” He encouraged everyone to light a candle for those who suffer in wars and conflicts, a light for people we miss and a light for hope.

Moving on to the importance of community, King Harald said, “We are a small but spacious and beautiful word. Because we, it embraces us all. It is the opposite of us and them. The opposite of putting each other in stalls. Together, we contribute to creating a good environment at school, at the workplace and in our local environment. Together, we have agreed that in Norway we must take care of each other, so that we all have the opportunity both to give and to receive during our lives. Together we create an understanding of right and wrong so that we can behave properly towards each other and take care of the trust between us.” The King continued, “to be able to create this fellowship in real, we will need to listen, and to tell the truth about the reality, and be patient.”

“Listening gives hope for a community with room for everyone. Because something a little magical can happen when we actually listen to each other; We will be seen. We are taken seriously. We straighten our backs. It's almost too easy and good to be true! And that is something we can all achieve.

The King addressed his concerns about many people -- young and older alike -- not feeling recognized, included, and understood. The King is afraid that this could create anger and frustration that could be harmful. “Listening, and speaking honestly, I think is crucial for a community. And then we need the difficult patience.”

But there are areas where the last thing we need is more patience, according to King Harald, referring to the many children that present him with their concerns for the environment and lack of effective measures in the fight against climate change. The King applauded their impatience and stressed the importance of taking decisive action before it is too late. “Young people are about to give up on adults who don't take strong enough action, and not fast enough. I share the concern of young people, and their impatience. The hope is that the new goals set by world leaders will be followed by action. We now need everyone's impatience before time runs out for us.”

“We cannot take peace and freedom, resources, and common goods for granted. We must stand guard! Norway's preparedness is, when it comes down to it, the sum of everyone’s resilience. We build on this positive force all the time through good partnerships. Through strong local communities. By standing up for each other, in the belief that there is a common good. It gives me great hope because this is something we can all be part of. The King continued: “It is natural for us to help each other. To comfort. Sharing. We must cherish this good spark within ourselves. Because this is us, this is us. My New Year's hope is that we will be the invisible hands that hire each other.”

I hope you enjoyed hearing about all the events of December in Norway reading my partial summary and translation of the speech of the Norwegian King. Perhaps it will give you something to think about going into February, the second month of the new year. The December/January article and this article are written to you from Norway, influenced by what the Norwegians are talking about. I am no exception, and I am inspired by the events of the holiday season. My personal theme for 2024 is HOPE, and with leaders like King Harald, I believe we all can be inspired and able to see hope manifested. It comes down to individual people, whether in Norway or in the United States.

Through My Eyes - December 2023

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 14:01:05 GMT

To care for your neighbors, work with your neighbors and serve your neighbors are values we have all learned from our parents and churches. Having a good relationship with our neighbors gives value to dealing with the rest of the world and helps us face the unknown.

Countries also need good neighbors. Norway has a long history being part of the Nordic community, having been in union with some of them for many years, but also through important experiences of cooperation during war time. During World War II, Denmark and Norway were occupied by Germany and Finland was under assault by the Soviet Union while Sweden was neutral. Following the war, the Nordic countries pursued the idea of a Scandinavian defense union to ensure their mutual defense.

At the same time, politicians worldwide were in favor of stronger international co-operation. The United Nations was established on October 24, 1945, to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation and serve as a center for harmonizing the actions of nations. The Council of Europe was created on May 5, 1949, to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. The European Community (EC) was formed in the 1950s to encourage and oversee political and economic cooperation. We know it now as the European Union (EU).

It was proposed that the Nordic countries would unify their foreign policy and defense, remain neutral in the event of a conflict, and not ally with NATO, which was founded on April 4, 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations for the purpose of securing peace in Europe and promoting cooperation among the member countries.

The neighboring countries in the north recognized the value of cooperation in 1952 and agreed to meet on a regular basis to see how they could work together. Seventy-one years ago, they founded the Nordic Council. “Nordisk Råd” is the official body for formal inter-parliamentary Nordic cooperation among the Nordic countries. The council has eighty-seven representatives from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, as well as from the autonomous areas of the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. The representatives are members of parliament in their respective countries or areas and are elected by those parliaments.

The Ordinary Session is held every year in the country currently holding the presidency of the Nordic Council, and the Theme Session is held in the spring. The Sessions are unique forums in which Nordic politicians discuss Nordic issues with the prime ministers and other ministers of the Nordic countries.

At last year’s session in Helsinki, Jorodd Asphjell was elected President of the Nordic Council for 2023. Helge Orten was elected Vice-President. Since both are from Norway, The Nordic Council held their 75 ^th Session from October 30 ^th to November 2 ^nd at the Norwegian Parliament in Oslo. Together with Asphjell, the President of the Norwegian Parliament, Masud Gharakhani, welcomed the delegates to Norway and opened the meeting by pointing out that The Nordic Council meeting happened in a time of serious concerns and conflicts affecting all of the Council members. “Our common values are under attack,” Gharahkhani said.

The Nordic Council does not have any formal power on its own, but each government has to implement any decisions through its national legislature. With Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland being members of NATO, and Sweden still in the admission process, the Nordic Council has not been involved in any military cooperation previously, but now that has changed.

The special guest speaker this year was the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg. The increased tension between the superpowers, war in Europe and a new war in the Middle East affect the Nordic countries, the Secretary General stated in his speech to the council members, stating “We are living in a dangerous time,” and continuing, “Israel’s response to Hamas must follow the international law.”

The Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir predicted they would spend a lot of time in the four upcoming days discussing the international situation. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said it was important that the Nordic countries stand together. “We are concerned about two wars, but at the same time we must be able to act on other challenges, for example the climate.” Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Bourup Egede, pointed to greenhouse gas emissions and landfill as important topics in the coming week. “Greenland is here and we are ready. We want an equal partnership.”

Jorodd Asphjell, the Council’s President for 2023 described the priorities for the Norwegian presidency as a safe, green and young Nordic Region. “These are crucial areas in an era of war in Europe and the climate and energy crises. It’s more important than ever that we stand together as a strong Nordic community. Young people of today are the future and they’re key participants in our societies and democracies.”

During the 2023 Session of the Nordic Council in Oslo, twenty-three recommendations were adopted for the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic governments. One of the decisions that was passed is legislation against ecocide (large-scale environmental destruction). Another of the Nordic Council’s recommendations is that the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic governments should work to ensure comparable statistics for intimate partner homicide and domestic violence. It has been pointed out that research from Norway shows that, in most cases of intimate partner homicide, the victim had previously been in contact with the authorities, which means that their death could have been prevented.

The Nordic Council wants to investigate how the countries of the Nordic Region could better cooperate on expertise in the nuclear field. The main focus is on the fact that the Nordic Region needs such skills for the decommissioning of existing nuclear power facilities. The Nordic Region could be a pioneer in this field, and new knowledge in the area could also be utilized internationally. According to the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), two hundred of the world’s 450 nuclear power plants will have to be decommissioned by 2050.

“There is always a feeling of coming home when we meet,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said when leaders from all the Nordic countries met the press during their stay in Norway. We all appreciate good neighbors, and it gave me a sense of safety to see the eight country leaders together in Oslo this Fall when so much uncertainty marks the global picture these days. We can also see the Nordic countries in an increasingly strong relationship with their Trans-Atlantic neighbors. I have not seen a more active time for initiatives from Norway and its Nordic neighbors with the U.S. and visits of Nordic politicians to the D.C. area as we have seen over the last few years. Whether you were born in Norway or you are in a relationship with Norwegians or any of the Nordic countries, it should make each of us proud and give all of us strength for dealing with increasingly threatening developments in the world.

Through My Eyes - November 2023

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 13:34:39 GMT

In Norway, there is an old Sami tradition of going to the King for help as a last resort when all other possibilities have been tried. In a recent interview, historian Harald Lindbach of the State Archives in Tromsø told the Norwegian Broadcast Corporation (NRK) that this goes back to the 17th and 18th centuries when individuals would make direct contact, often in connection with questions about rights to land.

In a return to the tradition, seven young Sami activists known as the Fosen Campaigners met with the King and Crown Prince in mid-October. In the week leading up to the royal visit, Sami organizations, conservationists and individuals took part in demonstrations in Oslo. The aim of the demonstrators was to draw attention to the fact that wind turbines at Fosen (a peninsula in the middle of the country) are still in full operation two years after an October 2021 judgment from the Supreme Court ruled that the permit for the development of the wind turbines at Fosen was invalid because they are in the winter grazing area of the Fosen reindeer herding district. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court did not say what concretely should happen to the wind power plants, and they continued to operate.

The Sami have demonstrated repeatedly against the wind farms’ continued operations since the 2021 ruling that the construction of the turbines violated the rights of the Sami, who have used the land for reindeer for centuries. In June, activists protested outside Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s office. They occupied the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy for four days in February , and later blocked the entrances to 10 ministries. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has acknowledged “ongoing human rights violations” and the government has repeatedly apologized for failing to act despite the Supreme Court ruling.

The latest demonstration began last week on the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling, when Sámi activists, including Mihkkal Hætta, who has been living in a lávvu (a temporary Sami dwelling resembling a teepee) outside Parliament for a month, began a sit-in. On Wednesday, October 11 ^th , 20 demonstrators, many dressed in traditional garments known as gáktis, sat down in the central corridor at the Parliament and chanted in protest. Later in the evening, the activists were carried out by the police. Karl Johans Gate, the main street in Oslo outside the Parliament, was also blocked by hundreds of demonstrators. On Thursday, about one hundred activists protested outside the Oslo offices of Statkraft, a state-owned company that operates eighty of the wind turbines at Fosen. Environmentalist Greta Thunberg of neighboring Sweden joined the protest in Oslo. “We cannot have renewable energy that violates human rights,” Thunberg said, according to NTB, the Norwegian news agency. “Statkraft and other owners must step forward and demand a solution to the Fosen case, so that green energy is developed in the right way in the future without violating the rights of Indigenous people.” Finally, on Friday before the meeting, the activists ended their civil disobedience and dropped their chains. “Now we see ourselves having to return to an age-old Sami tradition of going to the King,” said Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen, during the actions on Friday outside the castle.

A journalist from NRK asked Ingke Jåma , another member of the group, “What do you want to talk to the King and Crown Prince about?” She responded, “I think it is important to bring out the human perspective in this. It is a great mental burden for those who fight this battle every day.” After the meeting, although tight-lipped about what specifically was said, Jåma stated “It was a strong meeting.” She said that the King and Crown Prince showed understanding for their situation. “We could show emotions and we felt that we were seen.” She is the third in her family to have asked for an audience with the King. “It is very special for me to be here today,” she said. Just a week before, the Fosen Campaigners sent the inquiry to the royal house asking for the meeting. “I think it's very nice that we get to see the King on such a short notice. It means that he also believes that it is an important matter.” Harald Lindbach, the historian, agreed. According to him, the way Norwegian democracy works today, the King does not have much leeway. At the same time, he said, “it is an important historical signal that is being given.”

To give a little more background on the story, Norway's Directorate of Water Resources and Energy (NVE) gave permission in 2010 for two large wind power developments (Storheia and Roan) at Fosen in Trøndelag (a county in Norway). The decisions on permits for the wind power plants were appealed by two local groups who stated that the decisions were invalid, among other reasons, due to a violation of Article 27 of the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights. This article states that persons belonging to ethnic, religious, or linguistic minorities shall not be denied the right to practice their own culture, profess and practice their own religion, or use their own language.

The Supreme Court heard the case in a grand chamber with eleven judges in October 2021, and their judgment was that the decision on permission for wind power development at Fosen peninsula was invalid . The Supreme Court stated that it was clear that the Sami are a minority that has protection under the UN provision, and that reindeer herding is a form of protected cultural practice. The Supreme Court reviewed the development in Norwegian Supreme Court regarding the understanding of where the threshold for protection against interference in the Sami's cultural practice lies and stated that the clear starting point is that the states cannot be granted any margin of discretion under Article 27 of the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and that the provision does not allow for a proportionality assessment where other societal interests are weighed against the interests of the minority. This is a natural consequence of the rationale for minority protection, as this would otherwise be ineffective if the majority population could limit it based on an assessment of their legitimate needs. In the assessment of whether the wind power plants at Roan and Storheia represent threshold-crossing interventions in the Sami's cultural practice, emphasis was placed on the fact that the southern Sami culture is particularly vulnerable.

Out of six million Norwegians, the Sami population in Norway numbers between 40,000 to 60,000 although it is difficult to count because they travel in the north. Traditionally Sámi-speaking, they inhabit the region of Sápmi, which today encompasses large northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. The Sami's closest genetic relatives are the Finns, probably after recent immigration into the Sami areas. Especially in northern Finland, the early Sami population was assimilated into the rest of the Finnish population. The Sami are no more related to the Siberian and Mongolian populations than the rest of the European population. This contrasts with the classic view that the Sami are a Siberian people. The genetic distance to other ethnic groups probably comes from a significant founder effect and genetic drift because of long isolation and a small, scattered population.

In 1997, King Harald apologized for Norway’s treatment of Sámi peoples. “We must regret the injustice the Norwegian state has previously inflicted on the Sámi people,” King Harald said. “The Norwegian state therefore has a special responsibility to create the right conditions for the Sámi people to be able to build a strong and viable society. This is a time-honored right based on the Sámi’s presence in their areas going back a long way.” Hætta Isaksen, one of the seven young people who met with the King in mid-October, said that they had inherited the fight from their ancestors, and that while the King made no promises and carried little power to influence state leaders, the meeting was important. “We have been met with arrogance all week,” she said. “But to meet Norway’s highest leader, who understands us, [it] gives us strength to continue.”

As we begin to prepare for the holidays, I believe this is something for which we should all be thankful. What a blessing it is to have a King who respects and represents all Norwegians and honors an ancient tradition to keep the door open for the minorities in the country! The pictures speak for themselves: the Royal Castle is open, and the King and Crown Prince are available when needed.

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of old and new traditions.