The 56 municipalities affected have reacted positively to the proposed memorial by Nico Widerberg, which will be two metres in height and made out of granite.

Gjøvik is one of the places thinking of accepting the offer after a boy from the area was killed, and had already planned a memorial when they heard about the offer.

Fellow Norwegian artists have recommended the offer of the sculpture be turned down, however. They argue one person’s work dominating as a memorial method is undemocratic.

Norsk Billedhoggerforening (Norwegian Society of Sculptors) chairman Gisle Harr told NRK, “We are one of many in the artistic community who have rejected this. We need to bring in more input and ideas about what the art should be, and not least what it should express.”

41-year-old Nico Widerberg, a Society member of 30 years, is saddened by their reaction. He tells The Foreigner, “it hurts that my own society and collegues are against the project. I have got a commission from a private person who wants to give the municipalities a gift and I have said yes to the commisison."

What has the anonymous donor said?

"The donor gives me his full support in this matter, but wants to keep a low profile. The most important is that the support group for the relatives of the victims, AUF and KS are positive and supports the project."

Mr Widerberg believes there are many probably many reasons behind his Society's statements, both political and personal, but that the most important for him is to show unity following the terrorist's twin attacks.

He concludes, "We have to stand together against the terror and violence."

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