28/08/2026
Why do we mourn the passing of a man who was nearly 90 years old? It might be a bit difficult to understand for those who don't live in this country.
We do not simply mourn the king. We mourn the human being with his lifes history, his values, his work for the society.
We mourn the "grandfather of the Nation".
I think his speech from garden party in 2016 is the most quoted speech, and it shows very well what he stood for...
(...) "It is not always easy to say where we are from or which nationality we belong to. What we call home is where our heart lies—and that cannot always be defined by 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 enjoy football and handball, climbing mountain peaks and sailing—while others are happiest on the sofa.
Some have great self-confidence, while others struggle to believe that they are good enough just as they are.
(...) Norwegians are engaged young people and elderly people rich in life experience. Norwegians are singles, divorced people, families with children, and elderly 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.
Photo: Kimm Saatvedt, Det kongelige hoff
