Plans to mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 22 July

The 22 July Centre provides a regularly updated overview of the events being held throughout Norway in 2021.  

The planning process for the national memorial events is still under way. At the same time, society is gradually reopening, with some easing of the restrictions introduced in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The infection levels and applicable infection control measures at the time will set the framework for participation in and implementation of the various memorial events. Many of the events will be streamed online. Information about the events planned will be updated regularly.  

Tuesday, 20 July

 

Utøya 

Thousands of young people go to Utøya every year to remember those who lost their lives on 22 July 2011, and gain new insights through learning and understanding. How has Utøya managed to transform itself from the site of a horrific terrorist attack into an international democracy project, and how can the experience from Utøya benefit other countries that are grappling with terrorism? Norwegian and international representatives of political, research, education and civil society arenas will convene in a democracy workshop on Utøya – a place to remember, learn and participate.

Organised by Utøya AS

 

Wednesday, 21 July  

 

Programme organised by the 22 July Centre

On Wednesday 21 July, the 22 July Centre will organise a conversation between individuals directly affected by the events in 2011 and a panel discussion between politicians and international guests. The panel discussion will focus on how society has learned to live with the aftermath of terrorism, ten years on.  

The 22 July Centre will organise a number of events throughout 2021 that highlight key perspectives in the ongoing public debate about the attacks on 22 July.  

Several of the events draw historic parallels, viewing the terrorist acts of 22 July in a broader context and discussing terrorism in light of past and present threats to democracy.

The human costs of the events of 22 July will be a theme that extends across all the events.  

The 22 July Centre will be open from 11:00–18:00 on 22 July 2021.

Programme, University Aula (14:30–16:00):

• Welcoming remarks, Lena Fahre, Director, 22 July Centre
• Conversation between former Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and head of the Workers’ Youth League (AUF) Astrid W. E. Hoem. Moderator: Maja Gudim Burheim, 22 July Centre
• Introduction to the panel discussion, Lena Fahre, Director, 22 July Centre
• Panel discussion (in English) on 22 July, democracy, marginalisation, racism and Nordic self-understanding, with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, Norwegian Labour Party leader Jonas Gahr Støre, and Executive Vice President of the 9/11 Memorial Museum Clifford Chanin. Moderator: Anne Talsnes, 22 July Centre
• Closing remarks: Anne Talsnes, 22 July Centre
• Press conference after the panel discussion (16:00–16:30)

Thursday, 22 July

 

Memorial at the Government Office Complex (09:00-09:45)

Programme: 

• Opening remarks, Tor Inge Kristoffersen, National Support Group
• Speech, Lisbeth Kristine Røyneland, leader, National Support Group
• Poem, Merete Stamneshagen, National Support Group
• Musical interlude, Marthe Wang
• Speech, Astrid W. E. Hoem, leader, Workers’ Youth League (AUF)
• Speech, Prime Minister Erna Solberg
• Musical interlude, Marthe Wang
• Reading of the names (first the 8 from the Government Office Complex, then the 69 from Utøya)
• Wreath-laying ceremony with a member of the Royal Family, Prime Minister Erna Solberg, AUF leader Astrid W. E. Hoem and leader of the National Support Group Lisbeth Kristine Røyneland
• One minute silence
• Trumpet soloist Magnus Aannestad Oseth
• Closing remarks, Tor Inge Kristoffersen, National Support Group
• Musical interlude, Marthe Wang

Members of the Royal Family, the Parliament and the Government will be in attendance.

The memorial will be streamed online.  

After the memorial, the close family members and other affected parties are invited to gather in the R5 building in accordance with the infection control measures in place in Oslo. (10:00-10:30).   

Organiser: The National Support Group after July 22 and the Workers’  Youth League (AUF), with technical assistance from the Norwegian Government Security and Service Organisation (DSS)

Memorial service in Oslo Cathedral 

Church service with candle lighting, readings and music. The service will be open to the public, but the number of people permitted in the cathedral may be restricted due to infection control measures.  

Programme 

• Clergy and musicians from Oslo Cathedral
• Sermon, Bishop Kari Veiteberg
• Speech, Jens Stoltenberg
• Candle lighting ceremony, Representatives of the National Support Group, AUF and various religious communities
• At the end of the service, from 12:00 to 12:05, church bells will be rung throughout Norway to show sympathy with all those affected by the attacks on 22 July 2011.
• Many churches in Norway will be open for quiet contemplation.

Members of the Royal Family, the Parliament and the Norwegian Government will be in attendance. 

Organised by: Oslo Cathedral in cooperation with the National Support Group after 22 July and the Workers’ Youth League (AUF)  

 

Memorial service in Hole Church (13:00-14:00)

Memorial service, Bishop Jan Otto Myrseth and Hole parish  

Members of the Royal Family, the Parliament and the Norwegian Government will be in attendance. 

Organiser: Hole Church

  Memorial on Utøya (15:00-16:15)

 

The Lysningen memorial site:

• Flower-laying ceremony

Programme on the hillside   

• Opening remarks, Astrid W. E. Hoem, leader, Workers’ Youth League (AUF)
• One minute silence
• Speech HRH Crown Prince Haakon
• Musical interlude, Sebastian Zalo
• Speech, Merete Stamneshagen, family member, National Support Group
• Speech, Erik Kursetgjerde, survivor, National Support Group
• Poem, Gunnar Sæbø, family member, National Support Group
• Musical interlude, Sebastian Zalo
• Speech, Astrid W. E. Hoem, leader, Workers’ Youth League (AUF)
• Speech, Jonas Gahr Støre, leader, Labour Party
• Musical interlude, Renate Tårnes
• All present walk to the quay

Programme at Utøya quay :

• Reading of the names (first the 8 from the Government Office Complex, then the 69 from Utøya)
• One minute silence
• Wreath-laying ceremony with a member of the Royal Family, Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Labour Party leader Jonas Gahr Støre, AUF leader Astrid W. E. Hoem and leader of the National Support Group Lisbeth Kristine Røyneland
• Trumpet solo: To youth, Magnus Aannestad Oseth
• Laying of roses
• Return ferry service to mainland starting 16:15.

Members of the Royal Family and the Prime Minister will be in attendance. 

The event will be streamed online/broadcast live by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK)

Organiser: The Workers’  Youth League (AUF) and the National Support Group after July 22

Reception in Oslo City Hall (17:00–18:30)

The City of Oslo is inviting close family members and other affected parties to a reception in Oslo City Hall on 22 July. The doors will open at 17:00, and the programme will start at approximately 17:30, after guests who have been at the memorial on Utøya have arrived. The reception will conclude at 18:30.

Hosted by:

Marianne Borgen, Mayor of Oslo
Raymond Johansen, Governing Mayor

At 19:00, the bells at Oslo City Hall will toll 77 times, after which Til ungdommen (‘To the Youth’) will be played on the carillon.

National memorial event in Oslo (20:00-21:30)

Zoom in on image

A national memorial event will be held in Oslo Spektrum Arena in the evening, and will include speeches, reading of the names and various cultural performances. His Majesty King Harald will give the main address. Other speakers are Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Labour Party leader Jonas Gahr Støre, and Workers’ Youth League (AUF) leader Astrid. W. E. Hoem.

The following performers will take part: Highasakite; Marja Mortensson with Trygve Seim; Stig Brenner; Marthe Wang with dancers from the work SPOR from the Kilden Performing Arts Centre in Kristiansand; Nils Petter Molvær; Dagny; Sofie Frost; Johanne Fearnley; Odd Nordstoga with Sol Heilo, Tuva Syvertsen, Erlend Ropstad, Bernhoft, Åge Aleksandersen and the Safari Gospel Choir; Musti; Hkeem and Fay Wildhagen. Musicians from the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK) will accompany several of the performances.

The event will be broadcast live on NRK1. Host: Rima Iraki  

The audience will largely consist of people directly affected by the events in 2011 and representatives of the official Norway. In keeping with the current coronavirus restrictions, the number of people present in Oslo Spektrum Arena will be limited and rules for social distancing will be in place.

Organiser: The Norwegian Government in cooperation with the National Support Group after 22 July and the Workers’ Youth League (AUF)