Freedom is stronger than fear, says king
Source: Agencies |
August 22, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
NORWAY'S King Harald yesterday told his countrymen that freedom is stronger than fear as the country concluded a month-long period of mourning with a candlelit memorial service to the 77 people killed by a right-wing extremist.
Addressing 6,700 people in Oslo's Spektrum arena, the king said he felt for each person in the country, but he was certain Norway would surmount its pain.
"I firmly believe we will uphold our ability to live freely and openly in our country," he said.
Norwegian singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfoer opened the service with a performance of classic Norwegian song "My Little Country," which has taken on special significance since the terror attacks.
Elsewhere in the city, flags flew at half-mast as people lay flowers outside the cathedral.
The ceremony in the arena, which also hosts the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, was broadcast live on national television and was attended by Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, government members, lawmakers and leading politicians and royals from neighboring countries.
The ceremony was set to include performances by some of Norway's top musical names, including 1980s pop group A-ha, soprano Sissel Kyrkjeboe, rap group Karpe Diem and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
Anders Behring Breivik has admitted killing 77 people last month when he first detonated a truck bomb outside government offices in Oslo, and then went on a meticulously planned shooting spree at a youth camp on the island of Utoya, some 40 kilometers away.
Breivik, 32, denies criminal guilt because he believes the massacre was necessary to save Norway, claiming it was aimed at purging Europe of Muslims and punishing politicians who have embraced multiculturalism. He was arrested 90 minutes after he began his attack. Earlier this week, an Oslo court extended his isolation detention by another four weeks.
On Saturday, some 1,000 survivors and relatives traveled to Utoya, to face the painful memories of the scenes of the shootings.
Addressing 6,700 people in Oslo's Spektrum arena, the king said he felt for each person in the country, but he was certain Norway would surmount its pain.
"I firmly believe we will uphold our ability to live freely and openly in our country," he said.
Norwegian singer-songwriter Susanne Sundfoer opened the service with a performance of classic Norwegian song "My Little Country," which has taken on special significance since the terror attacks.
Elsewhere in the city, flags flew at half-mast as people lay flowers outside the cathedral.
The ceremony in the arena, which also hosts the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, was broadcast live on national television and was attended by Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, government members, lawmakers and leading politicians and royals from neighboring countries.
The ceremony was set to include performances by some of Norway's top musical names, including 1980s pop group A-ha, soprano Sissel Kyrkjeboe, rap group Karpe Diem and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
Anders Behring Breivik has admitted killing 77 people last month when he first detonated a truck bomb outside government offices in Oslo, and then went on a meticulously planned shooting spree at a youth camp on the island of Utoya, some 40 kilometers away.
Breivik, 32, denies criminal guilt because he believes the massacre was necessary to save Norway, claiming it was aimed at purging Europe of Muslims and punishing politicians who have embraced multiculturalism. He was arrested 90 minutes after he began his attack. Earlier this week, an Oslo court extended his isolation detention by another four weeks.
On Saturday, some 1,000 survivors and relatives traveled to Utoya, to face the painful memories of the scenes of the shootings.
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