HM King Harald of Norway. Photo Credit: Cathrine Wessel/The Royal Court, Norway
Concerning the events of July 22, the King said, “It is this tragedy’s incomprehensibility that is the reason why it still haunts us. We must try to understand what can be understood and learn what can be learned.” The King commended the brave youth who survived the attacks at Utøya, adding that their strong commitment and values set an example for the entire nation.
The King also mentioned a new project started by Anti-Rasistisk Senter (The Norwegian Center Against Racism) that encourages Norwegian Muslims to invite their Norwegian neighbors to a cup of tea, with the thought that getting to know each other will prevent fear and prejudice, sparking conversations that, in the King’s opinion, can help us understand the differences and value the resources diversity brings.
The King ended his speech by honoring Norway’s volunteers, particularly the youth who survived the attacks of July 22 who now volunteer to speak in public, even though many of them are still struggling with everyday life in private. “We can be proud of those youth who show us the way.”
The Prime Minister’s New Year’s Speech
“It was heartbreaking,” said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg about the thought of the fathers, mothers, siblings and grandparents who had to bury a loved one this year. “I think of the survivors and the next of kin every day.
“The Norwegian people wrote history last summer. We were first stunned by the bomb and the gunshots. But something happened after that. We rose, shook off our fear and stood upright for democracy,” said Stoltenberg. “We were one people. While facing the worst, people showed their best. That has strengthened my belief in the good in human beings, in hope, and in the power of people’s will.”
Stoltenberg continued his New Year’s speech by emphasizing the importance of not letting extremist and totalitarian comments on the Internet go unchallenged. He said that the way to combat online extremism is by spreading knowledge, and that we are all responsible for not letting them influence our future. “We must be able to handle the uncomfortable, that which annoys, provokes and even shocks. But we will talk back. We will answer.”
Big Tasks in 2012
The Prime Minister listed the country’s tasks for 2012. The big ones: Fighting world poverty, working toward peace and saving the climate. “This we owe our future,” he said. “Never before have more people elected their leaders through free and democratic elections. We saw it again during the Arab Spring. The will of the people undressed the regimes’ lies and forced through change.”
Closer to Home
Turning to domestic issues, Stoltenberg expressed his admiration for those hit by the holidays’ hurricane on the west coast of Norway, honoring those who helped, saved and repaired.
The Prime Minister also tipped his cap to Norwegians working abroad, those who work for peace, aid and relief; those who clear mines; and those who protect ships from pirates off the coast of Somalia. “These are often dangerous missions. Last year Norwegian pilots protected the Libyan people against the Gaddafi regime’s brutality.... We give a warm thank you to everyone who is abroad promoting peace. At the same time as we remember our fallen. We have once again lost some of our best.”
Honoring Norway’s Royals and Polar Explorers
Toward the end of his speech, the Prime Minister spoke fondly of Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja, who cried with their nation this summer: “They comforted with closeness and warmth.”
Stoltenberg concluded by praising Norwegian heroes great and small, from polar explorers Fritjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen – whom Norway celebrated in 2011 – to the many everyday Norwegian heroes Stoltenberg said should inspire us in the New Year. He said that the pioneers who took historic footsteps, the people who faced evil with kindness, and everyday heroes all help make a small country great.
”Let it be in this spirit we shape our future,” he said.