Opening of the National Memorial Site for 22 July at the Government Quarter

– It has been 15 years since the terrorist attacks on the Government Quarter and Utøya. On 22 July 2011, 77 people were killed by a far-right extremist terrorist. Most of them were young. A great many were injured and even more had their lives changed forever. As we now open the permanent memorial site in the Government Quarter, it is intended to be a place for reflection and remembrance. The memorial site, the 22 July Centre, and Utøya will also serve as places where future generations can come to see, learn about, and understand the terrorist attack and how we, as a society, responded to it, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour Party).

–  As a nation, we need this memorial site. It will be a place where our children and grandchildren can learn about what happened and about the consequences of far-right extremism and hatred. At the same time, it reminds us of our shared responsibility to stand up against hatred and extremism, and to safeguard an open and inclusive society, said Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance Karianne Tung (Labour Party).

Programme for the Opening

1. Opening performance, “Indst inni meg” (“Deep Inside Me”), performed by ULD
2. Address by Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance Karianne Tung
3. Address by Merete Stamneshagen, Chair of the National Support Group after 22 July
4. Address by AUF leader Gaute Børstad Skjervø
5. Musical performance, “Jeg skal finne deg” (“I Will Find You”), performed by ULD
6. Film about the co-creation process, presented by KORO
7. Conversation between artist Matias Faldbakken, Regitze Schäffer Botnen (a survivor of the Utøya attack and member of the memorial jury), and Arvid Samland (a survivor of the Government Quarter attack). Moderated by Mari Magnus of KORO.
8. Address by Minister of Education Kari Nessa Nordtun
9. Closing performance, “Fra en annen virkelighet” (“From Another Reality”), performed by ULD

The commemorative event will last approximately 45 minutes and is open to the public. For security reasons, bags and luggage will be subject to inspection before entry to the area. Visitors are therefore encouraged to bring only a small bag or backpack. We kindly ask everyone wishing to attend to arrive no later than 2:50 p.m.

Watch the opening ceremony here.

The 22 July Centre Opens in New Premises

Following the opening ceremony, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon will take part in a private tour of the 22 July Centre’s Memorial Room together with Minister Kari Nessa Nordtun, Minister Karianne Tung, Director Lena Fahre, and representatives of the National Support Group after 22 July.

The 22 July Centre is a national memorial and learning centre that provides knowledge and education about the terrorist attacks at the Government Quarter and on Utøya on 22 July 2011. The Centre is now moving into new premises in the Government Quarter and will open its doors to the public on 22 July.

–  In the years ahead, thousands of people, families, and school classes will come to the Government Quarter, to the memorial site, and to the 22 July Centre. Here, they will be able to see, understand, discuss, and learn. It is incredibly important that our children, too, can say the words ‘never forget’ and understand what they truly mean. It is through knowledge that we overcome ignorance, said Minister of Education Kari Nessa Nordtun.