“On Sunday 21 August we will commemorate those who died in the attacks on the government offices in Oslo and Utøya. Seventy-seven precious lives were lost. Many people were permanently injured. Many have wounds that cannot be seen,” said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg when he announced the decision to hold a national memorial ceremony.
The decision to hold a national memorial ceremony for those who were killed or injured in the attacks on the government offices and Utøya on 22 July was taken together with the political parties represented in the Storting. The ceremony was held in Oslo Spektrum on Sunday 21 August at 15:00.
More than 6 000 guests attended the ceremony. Bereaved families and survivors and their relatives were invited, along with rescue workers from the health service, the police, the fire and rescue services, the armed forces, the civil defence and voluntary organisations, as well as individuals who took part in the rescue effort and those who have been involved in the follow-up work in the ministries. Representatives of the Labour Youth League and the Labour Party were invited. Representatives of the Norwegian authorities were also present.
The King and Queen attended, together with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Princess Märtha Louise, Ari Behn and Princess Astrid. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark did also attend. In addition, the presidents of Finland and Iceland and the prime ministers of all the Nordic countries were present.
“The national memorial ceremony is being held to commemorate the dead, support each other and thank all those who helped both during and after the attacks on the government offices in Oslo and Utøya,” said Prime Minister Stoltenberg.
The ceremony was broadcasted live on NRK, TV2 and TVNorge.
More information is available at www.minneseremoni.no