28/08/2026
Norwegian king Harald V passes away today and we will remember him with this iconic uniting speech which made him all time popular royal family member:
"After traveling around most of the country for many years, it is wonderful to host representatives from all over Norway!
A warm welcome to us, everyone!
You who are gathered here represent the breadth of what Norway is today.
So what is Norway?
Norway is high mountains and deep fjords. It is plateaus and archipelagos, islands and islets. It is lush fields and soft moors.
The sea beats against the land from the north, west, and south.
Norway is the midnight sun and the polar night. It is both harsh and mild winters. It is both warm and cool summers.
Norway is elongated and sparsely populated.
But Norway is above all people.
Norwegians are from Northern Norway, Trøndelag, Southern Norway—and people from all the other regions. Norwegians have also immigrated from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Poland, Sweden, Somalia and Syria. My grandparents immigrated from Denmark and England 110 years ago.
It is not always easy to say where we are from, what nationality we belong to. What we call home is where our heart is—and that cannot always be placed within national borders.
Norwegians are young and old, tall and short, able-bodied and wheelchair users. An increasing number are over a hundred years old. Norwegians are rich, poor, and somewhere in between. Norwegians like football and handball, climb mountain peaks and sail—while others are most fond of the sofa.
Some have good self-confidence, while others struggle to believe that they are good enough as they are.
Norwegians work in stores, at hospitals, on oil platforms. Norwegians work to keep us safe, work to keep the country free of litter, and search for new solutions for a green future. Norwegians farm the land and engage in fishing. Norwegians research and teach.
Norwegians are engaged youth and experienced elders. Norwegians are single, divorced, families with children, and elderly married couples. Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and girls and boys who love each other.
Norwegians believe in God, Allah, the Universe, and Nothing.
Norwegians like Grieg and Kygo, Hellbillies and Kari Bremnes.
In other words: Norway is you.
Norway is us."
Kongens tale fra hagefesten torsdag 1. september blir hyllet i sosi...
