Evening in Karl Johan

From 23 February The Nordic World Ski Championship has been held in Oslo. All the events is held at Holmenkollen’s new National Arena, which includes the new spectacular Holmenkollen hill and the naturally beautiful Midtstuen hill. During the WSC there have also been public and cultural events at Holmenkollen and activities especially for children.
 
The medal ceremonies has taken place in the University Square in downtown Oslo. There has been stage shows and a free concert every night, a separate mingling area, an exhibition of ice  sculptures inspired by Edvard Munch and much more. Everything needed to create amajor celebration in Oslo. Both the competitions and the ceremonies have been enormously popular. 50 000 to over 100 000 people have gathered downtown every night!!

Todays picture is of one of the ice sculptures downtown, inspired by (I think) the painting "Evening in Karl Johan" of Edvard Munch. 

The Cross-Country 50 km for men on Sunday will be the last competition in Ski-VM 2011. See more pictures from the championship at Ski-VM 2011's public gallery.

Photo by: Stormel 

Crown of Scandinavia

The DFDS passenger ferry m.s. Crown of Scandinavia, leaving Oslo this afternoon. Heading towards Copenhagen. :o)

Photo by: Stormel

View from Vettakollen

Oslo seen from Vettakollen. :o)

Photo by: Stormel

Bjørvika by night!

Photo by: Stormel

Green Day

Green Day live at Ullevål Stadion in Oslo last night! 

Photo by: Stormel

Sentrumsløpet II

Another picture from the race Sentrumsløpet. :o)

Photo by: Stormel

Sentrumsløpet

It was crowded in the streets downtown yesterday. 5500 people ran 10 km, in a race called "Sentrumsløpet", which takes place in Oslo every spring. 

Photo by: Stormel

Skiers

Skiers crossing a lake in Nordmarka.

Photo by: Stormel

Bjørnsjøen

Nordmarka is the mostly forested region which makes up the northern part of Oslo. The forests are popular sites for hiking and skiing. Most of the forests are protected, and it is not possible to obtain building permits for cottages in the area. 

There are several lakes in Nordmarka. Todays picture, taken a couple of weeks ago, gives you a view of one of them. This lake is called Bjørnsjøen. Translated the name means Bear Lake. 

Photo by: Stormel

Skating

Skating downtown tonight!

Photo by: Stormel

Colorful neighbourhood

Photo by: Stormel

Frozen

10 days into the new year, and Oslo is still frozen....and I like it! Cold and beautiful! :o)

Photo by: Stormel

Cold winter morning

Yesterday morning was cold...15 celcius below....brrrrrrrrr....but still a beautiful morning! :o)

Photo by: Stormel

Monday morning

Lots of snow in Oslo this Christmas...and this is one of the "hidden" cars that I passed on my way to work this morning. ;o)

Photo by: Stormel

Akershus Fortress by night

Photo by: Stormel

Reflections

Photo by: Stormel

Aker Brygge

Aker Brygge during sunset this afternoon. :o)

Photo by: Stormel

School Dance

This is from a junior high school, where the pupils in their last year are arriving for a school dance. To some of us (who have lived a few decades longer), it seems a bit strange that 14-15 year olds arrive in limousines. But I bet they're having the night of their lives. :-)

To the left, some pupils arrive by horse and carriage. Nice! :-)


Look at that fantastic dress! This reminds me more of movie stars arriving to a huge party, than school children having a dance. Where is the red carpet? They must have forgot... :-)

Springtime

I like springtime, the world turns nice and warm, green and sunny! And there are flowers! Weeeeeeee! :o)

Photo by: Stormel

St.Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick, one of the patron saints of Ireland, and it is generally celebrated on March 17. The day is the national day of Ireland.

In Oslo the Irish celebrated the St. Patrick's Day with a parade downtown today. And these girls represented the Nordic Society of Irish Dancers.

Photo by: Stormel