Viking Magazine - May 2022 - 47

AMBASSADOR INSIGHTS
Exciting Oslo
BY ANNIKEN KRUTNES
ith the Royal Palace, National
Theater, Oslo Cathedral,
Akershus Fortress, Vigeland Sculpture
Park and so much more, Oslo has
always been a top destination.
In recent years, the capital city's
appeal has only increased with major
development in the Bjørvika area,
where a former container port has been
reimagined, repurposed and crammed
so full of worthwhile sights that it could
easily be considered a destination unto
itself, a wonderful place to visit, live,
work and play.
It started in 2008 with completion of
the 1,400-seat Oslo Opera House, home
of the Norwegian National Opera and
Ballet. Norwegian architectural firm
Snøhetta won a competition among 350
firms to do the design. The result is a
modern, 530,000 square foot structure
with a main auditorium that seats 1,364
and two smaller performance spaces.
With an exterior made of Carrera
marble and granite, the structure
begins near the water line and slopes
gradually upward, appearing to emerge
from the Oslofjord. The Norwegian
tourism board invites you to " please
walk on the roof. " Like many Snøhetta
designs, the Opera House fits well with
the nature that surrounds it. A stunning
inner space open to the public creates
a calming environment out of oak and
other natural materials, while windows
maximize views of the water.
Deichman Public Library was
founded in 1785 and now has 22
branches around Oslo, the latest of
which opened in 2020 in Bjørvika. In
addition to a massive book collection,
the award-winning library boasts
a movie theater, media workshops,
gaming zones, lounges and a
restaurant.
The latest addition is the new
@sonsofnorway
Deichman Public Library
It's not just an
area for culture.
Like most of Oslo's
coast, the Bjørvika
area has many
apartments and is a
wonderful place to
live, with beaches,
swimming areas,
public saunas,
restaurants and
more.
While not in
Bjørvika, also
coming to Oslo
this June is the new
National Museum.
With 590,000
MUNCH, which was 10 years in the
making and opened in October 2021.
The self-proclaimed " number one
destination for experiencing Edvard
Munch's life and art, " the Munch
museum comprises 11 exhibition
spaces and 13 floors, and can draw on a
collection of 28,000 paintings, sketches,
photos and sculptures that Edvard
Munch left to the city of Oslo, along
with works by contemporary artists.
The massive building boasts expansive
views of the Oslofjord.
In case you're wondering, yes, you
can see Munch's most iconic work. In
the exhibition Edvard Munch Infinite,
a version of " The Scream " -a painting,
a drawing or a print-will always be on
display, while the other two rest in the
dark. This is because the artist created
these works on fragile cardboard, and
prolonged exposure to light breaks
down the cardboard and alters the
colors. And while " The Scream " might
bring you to MUNCH, a wealth of
activities and events will keep you
entertained and informed for as long as
you've got.
square feet of room and offering many
public gathering places, it should be
well worth a visit.
When and if you're able, I highly
recommend a visit to Oslo. The capital
has so many things to offer. And while
you're there, you'll definitely want to
set aside some time to visit the former
container port that has become a
sensation. ▼
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Anniken Krutnes
is Norway's
ambassador to the
United States. An
expert in security
policy, the law of the sea and Arctic issues,
she has previously served as Deputy
Director General of the Department of
Security Policy, as Norway's Ambassador
for Arctic and Antarctic Affairs, and
as ambassador to the Netherlands and
Luxembourg.
facebook.com/
NorwegianEmbassyinWashington/
@NorwayAmbUSA
May 2022
47
BY FRANCO FRANCISCO MARIA / SHUTTERSTOCK. ILLUSTRATION BY RANDALL NELSON
PHOTO
http://www.facebook.com/NorwegianEmbassyinWashington/
Viking Magazine - May 2022

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