Speech to Bereaved, Relatives and Volunteers

Dear friends, 

I feel very moved to be here again and to see all of you.

The contact I have had with you during this past year has made a lasting mark on my life.

Tord and Cecilie,
Who opened your doors and hearts when it mattered most.
You have made Sundvolden Hotel into a haven of solace.

All of you from Utvika Camping.
The heroes of Tyrifjorden lake.
The boat heroes.

You deserve all the words of praise and honour.

But above all, those of you who had loved ones on Utøya.
Fathers and mothers,
husbands and wives,
sweethearts,
children,
sisters and brothers.

I have met many of you during the painful year that has passed.

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I want you to know that no one can meet a mother or father who has lost a child without being moved.

I myself am a father.
I have seen the burden of despair you have been forced to carry.
Caught a glimpse of a bottomless abyss I didn’t know existed.
Sensed the anguished cry beneath the surface.
Heard the weeping.

Now I know that the grief over losing a child can eat away at your heart and soul.

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Today Norway is pausing to remember the 77 people who were killed.
This is an expression of the whole nation’s sympathy.

It doesn’t take away the grief.
The sense of loss will always be there.
But care and concern can lessen the pain.
Calm the emotional chaos.

Accept the comfort so many are offering you.

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These deaths seem just as meaningless today as they did a year ago.
All those who were torn away wanted to live.

Now, after a year has passed, all you are left with are memories.
But they will be with you always.
Memories of a life that was lived cannot be erased.

Memories are our precious treasures.
That can be cherished and shared.
Again and again.

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One year on, I am aware that your feelings swing.
From despair to hope.
From loss to sadness.
From empathy to anger.

It is important to the rest of us that we are there for you.
Close by when you want us to be.
At more of a distance when that seems most appropriate.

We realise that each individual experiences grief differently.

We would gladly share your memories if you want to share them with us.
And help you to regain hope if we can.

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One of a government’s most important tasks is to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.

We failed to do so on 22 July last year.
Since then our aim has been twofold.
To prevent such a tragedy happening again,
and being as well equipped as possible should it nonetheless happen.  

Many measures have already been implemented.
And more will follow.

For example, as a result of the work of the 22 July Commission. It will present its recommendations in the autumn.
The Commission was requested to prepare an objective and honest report.
We must know what happened in order to learn.
In order to make decisions that are as accurate as possible.

Out of respect for those who died, we will do everything in our power to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

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The events of 22 July have brought home to us the transience of life.

Young lives, too, can be snuffed out suddenly.
We don’t know when it will happen.
We don’t understand why.

We must live our lives while we can.

Even while you are grieving, I hope you can allow yourselves to enjoy the fragrance of summer.
Relax in the warmth of a bonfire.
And enjoy yourselves in the company of good friends.

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Let us honour the dead by celebrating life.