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20:22:24 — Friday, 3rd September, 2010

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Birkenbeinerrittet for foreigners

Tommy Valberg - Birkebeinerrittet (Illus. photo) Standing in a warehouse in Økern, in eastern Oslo, raising my hand to increase my bid for a bike as a friend translated numbers for me so I could keep up with the action, I beat out a woman for this…

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Published on 27th August, 2010 at 20:30.
Last Updated on 27th August 2010 at 21:30.

 

Rockheim: Norway’s Interactive Home of Rock and Roll

Rockheim Rockheim, Trondheim’s eagerly anticipated home of rock and roll opened its doors to the public last week. Over 4,000 visitors attended the museum’s opening, many queuing for hours to see what was…

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Published on 14th August, 2010 at 13:53.
Last Updated on 14th August 2010 at 14:18.

Oslo to Stavanger by train is more than just hours

NSB train, Stavanger station Eight hours from city to city may seem like a lot, but the window views are worth it. For those who’d prefer to sup up a different atmosphere, let the train calm the brain.

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Published on 13th July, 2010 at 16:00.

 

Ordering a Black Cab from London to Trondheim

A London Fairway taxi Gone are the days when black cabs could only be seen on the streets of London. Export of the iconic London taxi is thriving, and a recent addition has just been made to Norway’s growing collection.

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Published on 26th June, 2010 at 09:54.
Last Updated on 27th June 2010 at 16:18.

Watch Israel

Israeli flag flapping There’s been widespread condemnation of Israel since the attack on the flotilla bound for Gaza. It confirms many Israelis’ feeling of isolation. The US is Israel’s only friend and the country…

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Published on 17th June, 2010 at 21:13.
Last Updated on 19th June 2010 at 20:04.

 

Oslo jury selects another controversial prize winner

Portrait of Jon Fosse Jon Fosse, one of Norway’s most renowned and respected writers, was recently announced as the recipient of the 2010 International Ibsen Award. The award, which honours ‘an individual,…

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Published on 8th June, 2010 at 11:21.

The 17th of May: A day of independence and inheritance

17 May 2009 Children's parade, Oslo On the 17th of May 1814, the Norwegian Constitution was signed at Eidsvoll, declaring Norway to be an independent nation. The annual festivities that mark the day have become symbolic of Norway’s…

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Published on 16th May, 2010 at 12:47.

 

A Day of Remembrance and a Muted Celebration

HRH Crown Prince Olav's arrival, Oslo,13 May 1945 Norwegian Liberation Day – ‘Frigjøringsdagen’ – is inevitably overshadowed by the 17th of May festivities that follow 9 days later. Although the 8th of May is an official flag day in Norway,…

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Published on 8th May, 2010 at 07:43.
Last Updated on 8th May 2010 at 07:59.

The Perfect Prison

Demonstration against the DRD 'Fortress Europe' is turning inwards after battling immigration. Surveillance of its own citizens has become a commercial imperative, and a European security-industrial complex is forming.

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Published on 6th May, 2010 at 12:58.
Last Updated on 6th May 2010 at 20:57.

 

The Max Manus Effect: A Discussion of Norwegian Cinema

From the making of Max Manus, 2008 2009 was an unprecedented year in the history of Norwegian cinema. Max Manus broke all previous records to become the most commercially successful Norwegian film to date.

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Published on 24th April, 2010 at 08:00.
Last Updated on 25th April 2010 at 13:46.

Are you sure?

I always find it interesting how computers think – or not. A recent application for a place in kindergarten for our second child got me wondering.

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Published on 8th April, 2010 at 07:30.

 

Have ice and the right kind of tea – will travel

Pappa al pomodoro Traveling can often be compared to pulling teeth. No-drugs teeth-pulling. Old rusty pliers teeth-pulling.

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Published on 7th April, 2010 at 07:30.

The Right Way to Do Business

At first glance, you wouldn’t say Per-Inge Maridal is a fierce businessman. A friendly individual, emanating positive energy, Mr. Maridal is 40 years old, and already has 24 years of business…

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Published on 6th April, 2010 at 07:30.

 

A service-man’s life

Swix wax thermometer People working in this branch are former sportsmen, lovers of snow, and skiing.

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Published on 1st March, 2010 at 12:18.

Did you know? Norwegians: The foolhardy of the winter games

Sondre Norheim Legend has it that Norwegians are born with skis on their feet. One mustn’t take this literally, but having a look at the Olympic sports practiced by this nation for the first time, we tend to…

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Published on 1st March, 2010 at 11:32.

 

Sleepless in Volda – a winter love story

2010 Olympics, Anders Bardal I had no idea who Marit Bjørgen, Tora Berger and Peter Northug were before the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, apart from a commercial where Northug was running around in a shopping mall. Other than…

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Published on 28th February, 2010 at 14:26.

The Truffles of the Great Southwest

Bowl of Chili con Carne My chef friends worship French food. They like Italian and Spanish food, as well as Asian food and others. Some of them can tolerate Mexican food or Greek food, but the only thing that really gets…

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Published on 20th February, 2010 at 09:00.

 

Can Norway have its cake and eat it?

Government officials and other Norwegians see Norway as a small but influential country that acts ethically and does good in the world. But how real is this benign image and how ethical is Norway’s…

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Published on 8th January, 2010 at 13:59.

The Christmas I ate Rudolf

Togetherness was the theme of our small Christmas dinner; all of the non-Norwegians that spent their first Christmas in the land of Odin.

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Published on 31st December, 2009 at 14:59.

 

A builder of dreams

Tom Andreassen, self-portrait “It isn’t possible to know how is to live on the street if you haven’t been there."

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Published on 30th December, 2009 at 13:28.

How cheese slicers will save Norway when the oil runs out

A Norwegian cheese slicer Norwegians have a bit of a reputation for being pioneers, having invented the paperclip, slalom skiing, and the cheese slicer.

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Published on 29th December, 2009 at 15:25.

 

It’s All White For Me

Christmas lights? Not carbon friendly, but I do love them. They cheer my dark, early morning and dark, late evening dog walks and my heart sinks when the last display vanishes in January.

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Published on 28th December, 2009 at 18:03.

Sleeping for the enemy

Earth, Western Hemisphere Recent criticism by Aftenposten of environmental groups receiving sponsorship funding is simplistic. These disapproving comments give the false impression that conservation organisations are prepared…

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Published on 11th December, 2009 at 09:35.

 

A reputation ready to be stolen

People, companies, or countries use a lot of time and effort to build up and maintain that thing that we call a reputation. Somehow, some of us don’t manage to have a good reflection in the eyes…

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Published on 29th October, 2009 at 00:00.
Last Updated on 29th October 2009 at 09:54.

Veka, the week of good music and good moods

The Veka '09 Sheep The small council district of Volda (Møre og Romsdal) celebrates Veka this year from 23 to 31 October. The usual silence of the mountains and the fjords is shaken by rock bands and cheerful students…

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Published on 27th October, 2009 at 00:00.
Last Updated on 27th October 2009 at 15:26.

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