ISSN 0804-709X
www.norwaves.com
Volume 52, number 4 of _News of Norway_ has been made available
to readers of Norwaves by Lotte Glad with help from Paula Ford and
Kaspar Stromme. For information about hard copies of _News of
Norway_ contact Lotte Glad, acting editor,Royal Norwegian Embassy,
2720 34th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008.
Dear Reader:
With summer vacation approaching rapidly, the bulk of preparations
for an eventful fall should soon be completed. The embassy is busy
planning their Majesties visit to the United States this fall. Also, the
organizing of more than 100 cultural events in Washington and New
York take up considerable time. As with anything, there are always
last minute adjustments, but everything will be ready in time.
You will also have a chance to participate in this cultural parade by
entering News of Norway's short story competition. I am looking
forward to reading your special Norwegian-American Experience.
Lotte M. Glad
Acting editor
Short Story Contest
As part of this fall's cultural program "Norwegian Visions," News of
Norway will sponsor a short story contest among our readers. The
grand prize will be a round-trip for two from New York to Oslo
compliments of SAS, the Scandinavian Airlines System.
The short-story titled "My Norwegian-American Experience" should
run no longer than 450 words and be submitted by July 30. The
winner's story will be published in News of Norway's October issue
and made available to SAS. Good writing!
'Alt for Norge'
King Harald Remembers Grandfather's Motto In an Interview 50
Years Later
Fifty years ago -- on June 7, 1945 -- King Haakon returned to
Norway after five years in wartime exile. He had reigned as Norway's
popular constitutional monarch since 1905, the year Norway gained
her independence from Sweden, then in 1940 the Nazi invasion forced
him to London where he led the government in exile.
His son, the future king Olav V, spent the war largely in London
with him. The two stalwart royals kept in touch with the resistance in
Scandinavia, marshaled Norway's forces in exile, and bolstered moral
among Norwegians everywhere via radio addresses and other means --
including News of Norway, which was founded during the war.
Olav's family, including his son Harald, spent the war years in the
United States. They first lived at the White House as President
Roosevelt's guests, and then just outside Washington, D.C. in a
Maryland suburb called Pook's Hill.
In a recent interview with the Norwegian armed forces newspaper,
Forsvarets Forum, His Majesty King Harald remembers his return to
Norway as a child:
"I must admit that I had mixed feelings when I went home. As an
eight-year-old I had lived in the United States almost during the entire
war. That's why I probably felt more at home in America than in
Norway. At home at Skaugum [the royal residence in Norway] I
didn't feel 'at home' -- although the first room I went to was my
own. Something must have been in the back of my head."
King Harald's thoughts on returning to Norway preserve the
bittersweet experience of a little boy snatched from familiar
surroundings to the tumult of a nation celebrating its liberation from
Nazi tyranny. "To say it as an eight-year-old would: It was noisy. I
couldn't sleep at night because people were so noisy outside."
Having lived in the United States for almost five years, the little
prince did not remember all his relatives. His father, Crown Prince
Olav, had visited his family in Washington four times during the war,
so Harald recognized and knew him. But on returning to Norway, the
child did not remember his grandfather, and this disappointed King
Haakon. Also, King Harald told his interviewer, he had problems with
his grandfather's Danish-Norwegian and so they spoke English during
their first days together.
King Haakon had taken the motto Alt for Norge ("All for Norway").
That watchword, King Harald said, in keeping with his grandfather's
and father's example, has become a way of life for Norway's royal
family.
1,000 Years of Christianity
The year is 995. The people of Moster meet the Viking Olav
Tryggvason who comes by sea from the west to claim the Norse
throne and to convert the country to Christianity. After traveling
widely and christening those he meets, King Olav returns to Moster in
997. Olav started the process of christianizing the land.
Thus recalls the historical play Christian Kings at Moster, which
will be staged at Moster in June as part of the celebration of the
thousand-year anniversary of Christianity in Norway. It also
commemorates the erection of the Norway's first stone church, which
was built at Moster 100 years after Olav Tryggvason's arrival. (See
stamp, page 7.)
This summer's celebrations will feature ecumenical sermons,
historical drama, "Viking evenings" and other artistic performances.
Visitors will also enjoy exhibitions at the new Center for Mythology,
Church and Culture.
The christianizing of Norway was not a quick or easy task. The
Vikings had heard of Christianity on their expeditions to the British
Isles, and native belief in such gods as Odin and Thor was firmly
held. Yet Christianity would play a vital role in the difficult process
of political unification of a land ruled piecemeal by headstrong
chieftains.
In 997 King Olav Tryggvason founded Trondheim (now Norway's
third largest city) and established it as the first capital, the seat of
Norway's monarchs. But it was this Olav's successor, King Olav
Haraldson, who conquered most of coastal Norway. His rule in turn
brought the dedication of tiny churches in the fjord areas. These were
later replaced by the famous stave churches.
Like King Olav Tryggvason before him, King Olav Haraldson
sought to claim a unified kingdom and to convert its people to
Christianity. By 1020 he ruled all Norway and in 1024 he instigated
the first code of law based on Christian values.
The Christian conversion of Norway culminated at the battle of
Stiklestad in 1030 where King Olav Haraldson fell, soon to be
remembered as "Olav the Holy." His death inspired many Norwegians
to abandon their ancient gods, and his shrine was erected on the site
that became the splendid gothic Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. The
city attracted pilgrims from all northern Europe and was called "the
Jerusalem of the North."
Christian influences continued to reach Norway from several sources
such as the British Isles in the west, and Germany and Denmark in
the south. Missionaries included monks and returning Vikings who
had been converted during their trips abroad.
This year's principal commemorations will take place during
Whitsuntide, June 2 through 5. Other celebrations will occur
nationwide throughout the summer. For more information regarding
the jubilee contact: Kyrkja i Noreg 1000 er, Moster 995-1995, 5427
Urangsveg, Norway, Tel: 011-47-53 42 08 00, fax: 011-47-53 42 15
13.
Norwegian Companies in USA -- 3: Helly-Hansen
If you like skiing, sailing or other outdoor activities, you may own
some Helly-Hansen apparel. Based in Norway, the company has sales
divisions in 27 countries and manufacturing plants in 14, including the
United States. Helly-Hansen North America facilities employ 120
workers in Spokane and 80 in Redmond, Washington.
"Global companies are the only ones who will survive, especially in
the garment industry," says Gordon McFadden, the president of the
North American division of Helly-Hansen. Helly-Hansen had $24
million in sales in 1993, experienced steady growth last year, and
estimates $29 million in 1995 and $34 million for 1996. Helly-
Hansen's international sales rose 10 percent in 1994 to $150 million
globally.
Some of our readers may have watched America's Cup Finals
recently and noticed that race judges and officials looked flashy this
year wearing brightly colored foul-weather gear designed by Helly-
Hansen (U.S.). Helly-Hansen is an official supplier to America's Cup
and donated nearly 300 sets of its specially made "Hellerup" jackets
and trousers to staff members of this year's America's Cup.
Helly-Hansen, which opened in Redmond in 1980, has done
business in Norway since 1877. Its American affiliate takes advantage
of a rich Norwegian heritage and technical knowledge of the outdoors
as it designs and markets functional clothing that keeps people dry,
warm and comfortable year-around. The Spokane plant is booming
thanks to NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement),
which makes it cost effective to ship clothing to Canada from
Spokane. Washington state was chosen as an ideal place for locating
such a company. The state is known for its great outdoors, abundant
coastal waters and low energy costs thanks to plentiful hydroelectric
power.
Helly-Hansen is as well known in Norway as Nike is in America.
The company produced all the outfits for the Olympic opening
ceremonies in Lillehammer. This work included more than 10,000
suits for Olympic officials and volunteers: the troll outfits and ethnic
costumes. The company committed its Norwegian plant's entire
product capacity for six months to making outfits.
In 1877, Helly-Juell Hansen founded the company as one of the
world's first rainwear factories. He had developed a process for
making waterproof sailing clothes from bleached canvas and linseed
oil. In keeping with the company's earliest tradition, Helly-Hansen
today is the only sea wear manufacturer that develops its products
from fiber to finished garment.
Asia is an important market for Helly-Hansen. The location of the
Redmond company makes it easier to keep in contact with their Hong
Kong offices. Whenever the division has a board meeting, directors
flock to Redmond from Portugal, Hong Kong and Norway. President
McFadden, also on the board in Hong Kong, says, "the best thing
about the travel is the opportunity to meet different people and from
different walks of life. 'The world is small' after all is more than a
clichi. At Helly-Hansen, at least, they try to make it reality."
New Stamps: Norway Philately Remembers World War II
May 8 marked the 50th anniversary of the day German military
forces surrendered after their five-year occupation of Norway. Among
the many acts of remembrance that marked the day, Norway Post
issued three commemorative stamps. The designer of the stamps is
Enzo Finger. Contrasting drama and joy; tragedy and triumph, war
and peace, the stamps depict freedom in a new way.
A Thousand Years of Christianity
Norway's first church was built 1,000 years ago. This event is
celebrated with two stamps. One features the first church at Moster in
the southwest of Norway. The second depicts Slettebakken Church in
Bergen, an example of modern church architecture.
The stamps were designed and engraved by Arild Yttri.
Norwegian Tourist Stamps
Norway Post has developed a new style of booklet. First issued on
February 23, the booklet has a new design and format to match a
standard credit card.
This year's tourist stamps show views of Skudeneshavn, a small
town on the south-west coast of Norway, and Torghatten in the north.
Torghatten's trademark is this hat-shaped rock formation with the hole
in it.
Stoltenberg Crusades Against Biased Energy Taxes
Norway's Minister for Industry and Energy Jens Stoltenberg met
with U.S. Energy Secretary Hazel O'Leary during his recent visit to
Washington. Stoltenberg used the occasion to highlight Norway's
increasing importance as an energy exporter and voiced concern about
negative effects on energy exporting countries caused by mounting
import taxes in OECD nations.
Stoltenberg paid a three-day visit to the United States in early May.
Starting in Houston, he met with Norwegian companies exhibiting at
the annual Offshore Technology Conference. There he was joined by
several distinguished Norwegian industry executives in giving a full
day's presentation on challenges facing the offshore industry.
In his keynote address about Norwegian oil policy, Stoltenberg
saluted the energy industry for great achievements in cost reduction,
adoption of new technologies and discoveries of new oil and gas
reserves. More than 60% of the wells which were drilled in Norway
in 1994 resulted in discoveries - an all time high success rate. Many
new oil development projects are profitable even at an oil price below
10 USD per barrel. "Despite a rather bleak outlook for oil prices,
these developments make me very optimistic about the future of our
industry," he said. "Our total oil and gas resources amount to some 70
billion barrels of oil equivalents of which only 15 percent is yet
produced. By the end of the year Norway will produce 3 million
barrels of oil per day, which will make us the world's second largest
exporter after Saudi Arabia."
Stoltenberg also made a forecast. "After the turn of the century,
natural gas will take over to become even more important for
Norway." Norwegian natural gas fields will provide more than one-
third of the consumption in major European countries such as
Germany and France," Stoltenberg added.
In Washington, Stoltenberg informed Energy Secretary O'Leary that
Norway soon may supply about 10 percent of North American
imports of crude oil. O'Leary welcomed Norway's increased exports
to the American market as an important diversification of supply
sources.
O'Leary and Stoltenberg were satisfied to see growing support for
joint implementation of measures to curb emissions of greenhouse
gases. O'Leary expressed concern that voluntary measures would not
be adequate to meet national objectives regarding emissions, but
added that it was unlikely that there would be sufficient political
support for introduction of new energy taxes to limit the increased use
of energy. Stoltenberg voiced concern over the rising energy taxes in
other OECD countries. Several countries have introduced taxes on
imported energy such as oil and natural gas while domestic sources
such as nuclear and coal remain unaffected or sometimes even
subsidized. The effects are higher consumer prices, reduced producer
prices and an increased share of the value of the oil barrel going to
the treasuries of importing countries. More balanced energy taxes
would increase the demand for oil and at the same time reduce
emissions from the use of energy, Stoltenberg claimed. +It is true that
Norway also favors energy taxes to curb emissions;, Stoltenberg said,
+but we tax both oil and coal."
Despite a rather bleak outlook for oil prices I am rather optimistic
about the future of our industry; Stoltenberg said.
Stoltenberg saluted the energy industry for great achievements in cost
reduction, adoption of new technologies and new discoveries of oil and
gas reserves.
Secretary O'Leary welcomed the increased exports of Norwegian oil to
the US market as an important diversification of supply sources.
Norway Bankers Court Wall Street
Venture Norway, inspired by the Olympic Games in Lillehammer
last year, was intended to facilitate new contacts between Norwegian
and American business communities. Its first major event, the Invest
in Norway Seminar held in New York on April 27, was appropriately
"Olympic" in its brilliance, efficiency and participatory excellence.
The seminar gave nearly 100 participants from the New York
financial community an opportunity to get first-hand impressions of
Norwegian economic policies and outlook. Minister of Finance
Sigbjoern Johnsen conveyed optimism and confidence in the
Norwegian economy. Despite the recent referendum decision not to
join the European Union, Norway is one of the very few states that
meet criteria for a sound economy established by the EU.
In a series of briefings, participants received useful insights into why
the Norwegian economy is so strong, and why Norwegian securities
are attractive to American investors. Among others:
* The deputy governor of the Bank of Norway outlined economic
parameters and monetary policies.
* The acting director of the Oslo Stock Exchange discussed strong
showings and an equally promising outlook.
* The president of the Norwegian Banking Federation explained how
Norwegian banks successfully overcame challenges that restructuring
and reorientation posed for the banking sector in Norway.
* A past president of the Norwegian Federation of Industries showed
how non-oil elements of the Norwegian economy are coping well
with the implications of Norway being one of the top oil exporters in
the world today.
* The president of the Norwegian Shipowner's Association illustrated
achievements of modern Norway such as cutting-edge technology and
management skills rooted in traditions of one of the foremost shipping
nations in the world.
Gerhard Heiberg, CEO of the Lillehammer Olympic Organizing
Committee and initiator of Venture Norway, chaired the seminar.
Turning to tasks ahead for the business partnership program, he plans
similar seminars in Chicago and Seattle in October during the visit
His Majesty King Harald's visit to the United States. Those seminars
will focus on Norwegian information and communications technology
and seek to introduce Norwegian companies to local business
communities.
There will also be a follow-up to the Invest in Norway Seminar in
New York. Readers who wish to receive information as part of this
follow-up are welcome to register their interest with the Norwegian
Consulate General in New York.
Norway Objects to Protectionism on the High Seas
By Staale T. Risa
America's 22-year-old ban on the export of Alaskan crude oil is
under attack. Many lawmakers in Congress feel that the ban, passed in
reaction to the 1973 Arab oil embargo, is ripe for repeal.
The ban has survived, in part, because influential maritime unions
have wanted to protect the shipboard jobs created by the domestic
Jones Act tanker trade along the West Coast. But unions and oil
companies have now struck a deal, and the unions no longer object to
allow oil exports if the crude is carried only aboard American flag
ships manned by American crews. Alaskan lawmakers recently
introduced legislation in Congress based upon this compromise. After
a lengthy review of the legislation, the Clinton administration
endorsed the plan at congressional hearings in March and May.
The Norwegian government, both alone and together with other
governments, has objected to the cargo reservation provision, first and
foremost because of the dangerous precedent it would set. It would
impose a new type of protectionism in international shipping, namely
cargo reservation in commercial bulk trades.
Oslo has made it clear that reserving the export of Alaskan oil to
U.S.-flagged, U.S.-crewed tankers would be discriminatory and
constitute a threat to international free trade. It would also contravene
international commitments and obligations and depart from normal
commercial practice. Further, the proposed cargo reservation rule
would represent a material and significant breach of the Norwegian-
American Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights of
1928. The treaty contains a national treatment clause, which states
that both countries' vessels shall have equal access to commercial
export cargo. Norway's objections to the proposed legislation have
been communicated to the U.S. government by several Norwegian
cabinet ministers during recent meetings with their counterparts in
Washington, namely the Minister of Trade and Shipping on February
16, the Foreign Minister on April 21 and most recently the Minister of
Industry and Energy on May 5.
It is too early to predict the outcome, but there is a strong
possibility that Congress will pass the proposed legislation. Still, there
is considerable opposition to lifting the ban, even among lawmakers.
Opponents often point to the need for preserving America's energy
security.
The Norwegian government will continue to oppose policies that
limit competition in ocean shipping. Norway's shipping industry -
based on cross-trading bulk cargo - is vulnerable to any development
that restricts circulation of shipping services in international trade on
the basis of fair competition.
Hopefully, the down side of the agreement struck between the
maritime unions and oil companies will sway a sufficient number of
lawmakers from introducing protectionism in international
transportation of crude oil. If not, there is the danger that the practice
of cargo reservation could spread to other traded commodities.
The author is the counselor for shipping and civil aviation at the Royal
Norwegian Embassy in Washington.
'Norwegian Visions' -- Women in the Art to Show Quality Art in
Nation's Capital
By Tore Tanum
The capital city boasts a rich cultural life, thanks to the presence of
some of the nation's illustrious institutions. One of the Washington's
youngest attractions is the National Museum of Women in the Arts, a
museum devoted to women artists and their contributions to art for
more than half a millennium -- from classical masterpieces to
challenging new genres of contemporary art.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), which as
part of its mission cultivates international ties, has chosen Norway as
its cultural partner for next fall. The museum's curator, Dr. Susan
Fisher Sterling, travelled to Norway in 1993 and 1994 and made an
exiting selection of more than 50 works by women artists. She calls
the assemblage "At Century's End" because it includes paintings from
the last decades of the nineteenth century -- by Harriet Backer, for
example -- and from the last decades of this century, namely by Ida
Lorentzen and Marianne Heske.
A compliment to the quality of Dr. Sterling's work lies in the news
that Her Majesty Queen Sonja has agreed to write the introduction to
the beautiful and informative catalogue now in preparation. This
project, created cooperatively by the National Museum of Women in
the Arts and the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will reveal a
strange similarity in what occupies the minds of women artists at the
conclusions of two centuries. The exhibition will be on view October
16 through January 6.
In addition to the exhibition, the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and the Embassy have planned a series of events to take place in the
NMWA auditorium throughout the fall. To underline a set of common
values, these events will center around themes involving women's
talents, children, family and growing up. We will arrange more than a
dozen events ranging from fairytale readings to a concert by the
soprano Anne-Lise Berntsen, from Juni Dahr's one-woman
interpretation of Sigrid Undseth's Nobel-Prize winning novel Kristin
Lavransdatter to a movie about a teenager's fumbling attempts to
understand what it is to be in love.
There will be lots more - and News of Norway will keep you posted
well in advance. Our June and July issues will provide more details.
The September issue will contain the complete program for
"Norwegian Visions" in Washington and New York.
The author is counselor for press and cultural affairs at the Royal
Norwegian Embassy in Washington.
Cultural Calendar
West Coast
86th Annual Sangerfest
More than 150 singers from the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singer's
Association along with a number of Norwegian costumed dancers
accompanied by the Skagit Valley Symphony will gather in
Bellingham, Washington for the 86th annual Sangerfest.
Immortal composers like Grieg, Svendsen, Kjerulf and others have
created chorus compositions of lasting beauty. Norwegian sons and
daughters who have emigrated to America brought with them this
great love for song and music, and for over 100 years Norwegian
singing societies have existed on the Pacific Coast. The first
sangerfest was held in Everett, WA in August 1903. Since then,
Sangerfests have been celebrated in the principal cities of the Pacific
Coast.
This year's Sangerfest will take place June 22-24. The Grand Concert
will be held at Western Washington University Performing Arts
Auditorium on Friday, June 23. For further information write to
Robert Ellerby, 1239 Kenoyer Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226 or call
206/733 5597.
Poulsbo Leikarring pre-teen and teenage dancers.
Norsk Folkedans Stemne
Norsk Folkedans Stemne will be held at Camp Brotherhood near
Arlington, Washington, August 4-6. This event started in 1981, and
over 14 years representatives from folk dance groups from all over
the United States have come to participate. There will also be music
instruction for fiddle and mouthharp. Dancers wear their bunads.
Each year there is a visiting group from Norway, and this year's is
called Sme Jondxlene from Jondalen north of Kongsberg. The group
was formed in 1969 and includes famous folk dancers in Norway.
For more information call 206/771 4082 or 206/362 3906.
Mid-West
29th Annual Nordic Fest
One of America's premier ethnic festivals, Nordic Fest provides low-
cost opportunities to experience some of Scandinavia's finest. The
festival takes place in Decorah, Iowa July 28-30. Some of the events
are antique show, crafts exhibits, foods and more. Vesterheim, the
oldest and most comprehensive immigrant museum in the Unites
States has been collecting immigrant history for well over 100 years,
comes alive with crafts and food demonstrations among its
picturesque, films. For more information call 1-800-382 FEST.
Threads of Scandinavian Tradition: Weavers and Rugmakers
The third annual juried Scandinavian Folk Art Exhibition happens June
22-25 in the Cyrus M. Running Gallery on the campus of Concordia
College in Moorhead, Minnesota. This festival is on the TOP 100 list
of Events in North America for 1995, and one of TOP 2 Events in
Minnesota for 1995. For further information call 1-800-235 7654.
East Coast
Dedication of the Korean War Memorial in Washington
July 27-29, thousands of veterans from 22 nations will meet in
Washington DC for the dedication of the Korean War Veterans
Memorial. The veterans helped make the United Nation's first
multinational mission a success. President Clinton and the president of
South Korea are scheduled to attend.
At least four Norwegian veterans from the Norwegian Mobile Army
Surgical Hospital in Korea (NORMASH) will come to the U.S. to
participate. The Norwegian contribution to the overall UN effort in
Korea was small in numbers, but important to more than 90,000
soldiers and civilians who received treatment at NORMASH.
NORMASH was deployed to Korea in June 1951, and 623 Norwegians
in all served with the unit. None of the Norwegians were killed in
action, but two were killed by accident during their service.
For further information regarding the celebrations and commemoration
services call Korean War Veterans Memorial Advisory Board at
202/208 3561.
Installation Artist Knut Esdam at Work
The Norwegian installation artist Knut Esdam will participate in the
Whitney Museum's Independent Study Program at 384 Broadway, 4th
floor. The event will be open to the public every Saturday from 1
p.m. to 6 p.m. from May 20 through June 20. The opening reception
is on May 20 from 5 -- 7 p.m. For further information please call
212/431 1737.
Norway
Emigration festival
Are your roots in Southern Norway, if so the Emigration Festival -95
could be a fitting opportunity to visit "the old country," meet distant
relatives and experience genuine Southern Norwegian culture. The
emigration of Norwegians to America plays an important part in
Southern Norwegian history. The first Emigration festival was
arranged in Kvinesdal in 1989. The festival has been expanded to
include Flekkefjord, Lyngdal, Mandal, Lindesnes and inner rural
districts -- places with major emigration to America.
The program for the Emigration Festival starts in Kvinesdal and during
the ten days journey it takes you on a round trip ending back where it
started.
Between 1901 and 1920, about 20% of the population of Southern
Norway emigrated from Norway to the United States. A new wave of
emigration started early in the 1940s and peaked in the 50s and 60s.
The return of emigrants to this part of Norway leads to a high amount
of American citizens.
The festival is held from June 22 through July 2. For further
information call 011-47-38 35 08 88.