Agreeable invitation to discover Norway’s past and present featuring our guest Kristin Skjefstad Edibe : In 1814, the Treaty of Kiel transferred Norway from Danish to Swedish rule. Norway accepted a union with Sweden under a common monarch, while retaining its own constitution and national assembly. Cultural nationalism led to economic nationalism in the 19th century. Norway demanded its own national flag and consular service in order to promote its maritime commerce. After Sweden was unwilling to concede these points, Norway’s national assembly (Storting) declared an end to the union with Sweden on June 7, 1905. Sweden accepted, and a treaty of separation was signed on October 26, 1905. Norway chose Prince Charles of Denmark as its king, who assumed the name of Haakon VII and ruled until 1957. Discover additional details about the subject here : Kristin Skjefstad Edibe.

Tromsø and the land of the northern lights : The capital of the Arctic, Tromsø, is located right in the middle of Northern Norway. Northern lights, whale watching, midnight sun, and epic nature adventures are the features of this region. The conditions are superb for ski touring, biking and hiking in the Lyngenfjord region. The Sami culture is prevalent in towns like Karasjok and Alta, and the northernmost point of Europe can be reached at the North Cape.

Are you tough enough for our quirky cuisine? Norwegian food is not known for having spicy flavours and bright colours, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring! From pungent seafood to crumbly cheeses and unusual meat dishes – here is the food you never knew you wanted to try. First things first: We can’t talk about Norwegian cuisine without mentioning seafood. There is more to it than just salmon and fresh cod. Take stockfish, for example. We call it tørrfisk, and it doesn’t have an appealing odour – but stockfish is the smell of money. You see, it’s the fish that built Norway. The unsalted skrei, or migrating cod, is dried by the wind and the sun on giant wooden racks in Lofoten and other areas in Northern Norway. You can enjoy it grilled, baked, or cooked. Small, dry slices of tørrfisk are also a healthy and popular snack! You can also try Lutefisk, various cheese and other specialties

Norway – a world class art destination. 1. MUNCH MUSEUM: Check out no less than three versions of the iconic painting The Scream at MUNCH in Oslo. 13 floors are dedicated to the famous expressionist painter Edvard Munch’s life and art. The highly distinctive museum building, designed by Estudio Herreros, has been specially designed for major art exhibitions. With its 26,313 square metres and 11 galleries, the museum is tailor-made for the world’s biggest collection of art by Munch, as well as works by other Modernist and contemporary artists, often related to Munch’s art. 2. The NATIONAL MUSEUM: More iconic Munch paintings await in the new National Museum, next to Rådhusplassen, the square by Oslo City Hall. Opened to the public on June 11, 2022 the biggest art museum in the Nordic countries exhibits highlights from its collection of more than 47,000 art works and objects. Here, you can experience art from famous international artists like Renoir and Monet, and of course works by Norwegian masters, including Harald Sohlberg’s Winter Night in the Mountains – sometimes referred to as “Norway’s national painting”. The museum’s collection includes the earliest versions of The Scream, by Edvard Munch.

Norwegian creativity, the lesser known of the Scandinavian arts and craft, has its own flavour reflecting the more reserved national temperament. A new wave of designers are making themselves heard, while the classic icons are rediscovered. Lighting, rainwear, wool and passports are among the Norwegian designs that are attracting worldwide attention. Many of the Norwegian designers are now working with the international market in mind, inspired by global trends. That means it can be difficult to define a unified Norwegian design, even though factors as nature-inspired forms, graceful lines and light are prominent. The Norwegian nature, weather and way of life have also set its mark on the work of many designers. It’s probably no coincidence that some of the most renowned clothing brands the last few years have produced rainwear, or warm garments made of wool. They make clothes for ordinary people with a sense of style, while luxury clothing made from Norwegian fashion designers are a rarity. Norwegian designers have worked a lot with lamps and lighting – perhaps natural considering the long and dark winters.

In Norway, climbing mountains feels like the most natural thing to do — so why shouldn’t this also apply to buildings? The Norwegian nature is free for everyone to walk in, and The Oslo Opera House, which opened in 2008, was built as an extension to this idea. Usually, you are likely to be arrested if you walk on rooftops. This new building in the very epicentre of the capital of Norway offers subtle variations in the structure of the marble-embellished roof signed by Norwegian artists Kristian Blystad, Kalle Grude and Jorunn Sannes. It is truly a beautiful surface meant to be stepped on. Under your feet there are three highly differently designed scenes, a myriad of public rooms and halls to explore, and a vibrant workplace for more than 600 opera and ballet professionals. This structure made for walking also offers an unexpectedly cool sit-down experience. The innovative physique of the Opera House with its marble-covered roof will unveil surprisingly different angles of the city you have come to visit.

Norway is an alpine skiing paradise. The season is long, the resorts are nice, and the views are impeccable. And there is something for everyone! Many of the largest resorts are easily accessible, in close proximity of airports and ferry ports. In winter, we swap our hiking boots for skis to enjoy the snow-covered mountains. Some kids even hit the slopes as soon as they’re able to walk. You see, the majority of Norway’s best ski resorts are super family-friendly, with children’s slopes and ski schools. But family-friendly does not mean boring. These ski destinations also offer challenges for the more advanced skiers. You can cruise down a diamond piste, challenge yourself on jumps and rails, or chase the perfect powder further up the mountains. It’s this combination of beginner’s fun and action-packed slopes that make the Norwegian ski destinations so popular. Friends and families can go on ski holidays together, even if they’re not at the same skill level.