Crown Princess Mette-Marit on "Literature journey": 2013, 2015 - 2019


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
:previous: Thanks polyesco!

The Literature Trip uses to be criticized every time - I hope this doesn't happen this time.

After the King/Queen's 80th birthday celebrations, the Crown Prince couple have had a pretty good period without any criticism in the media. Not even Global Dignity has been criticized, and experts have said that we must give them a chance.
 
:previous: why has the literature train been criticized in the past?
 
:previous: This again has to do with the Law of Jante, which I wrote about in the Republic/Monarchy thread.

Experts/commentators (and I would say the vast majority of Norwegians) believe that she and Haakon should do as the King/Queen used to do when they were younger and travel around the country, make visits/openings to/of hospitals, schools, factories, tunnels, bridges and naming of ships etc.

People (whether it's right or wrong) don't like that they are interfering/meddling in other things.

Also authors have criticized her - this is from last year:
https://www.nrk.no/sorlandet/forfatter-kritiserer-kronprinsessens-litteraturtog-1.12981785
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is pleased with this year's literature journey and hopes it will contribute to debate. At the same time as she finishes this year's literary journey with author meetings along the Bergen track, she receives criticism from author Birger Emanuelsen.

''I can not see what the Crown Princess is going to give to Norwegian literature. However, I see very well what Norwegian literature and Norwegian writers are going to give to her. A much-needed image'', Emanuelsen writes on his Facebook page.

He criticizes the Literature journey for not doing anything for Norwegian literature?

But as I said in my above post, she has not received any criticism this time.

I saw her on the television news now tonight, and as usual she looked uncomfortable when she was interviewed by the press.
 
What has been the criticism of the literature trip? It seems very benign and very much in the vein of what royals have traditionally done.
 
This week is the new literature campaign 6-8 June. But, at first, the Crown Princess Mette Marit visits Deichman Stovner and department leader Eli Sætre Folleras to borrow Zeshan Shakar's novel "Aunt Ulrikke's Way" for the Literature Day 2018!


CP Mette Marit can not choose which book take with her to the train journey!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjoqe0eDaho/?taken-by=crownprincessmm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
For today's start of the literature journey Crown Princess Mette-Marit is asking "What book do you remember best from childhood?" and presenting one of the favourite books of her own children:


** Photo **

** Photo 2 **


Her first stop today was her old school, Fiskå secondary school, where she presented one of her own texts from the 9th grade.

Nice to see: her mother was present as well ?


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** fvn.no: Kronprinsesse Mette-Marit underholdt med nynorsk stil ** profimedia gallery **



The train afterwards went from Kristiansand to Marnardal:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **
 
Last edited:
:previous: Thanks polyesco!

The Literature Trip uses to be criticized every time - I hope this doesn't happen this time.

After the King/Queen's 80th birthday celebrations, the Crown Prince couple have had a pretty good period without any criticism in the media. Not even Global Dignity has been criticized, and experts have said that we must give them a chance.

Beeing a Norwegian, I have never seen anybody criticized these Literature trips before. Have I missed something?
 
One more article about her visit to her old school, where she met with her old teacher... https://translate.google.com/transl...ssens-skuespillertalent-1.14071744&edit-text=

""One of the good things about literature is that there is a book for everyone. We learn about ourselves and about relationships with others. And then I think we are getting better people reading, "said the Crown Princess during the event."


Other articles with pictures about her literature journey:
https://www.fvn.no/kultur/i/BJEaeg/Kronprinsesse-Mette-Marit-underholdt-med-nynorsk-stil
https://www.seher.no/kongelig/vi-kan-kjenne-oss-igjen-selv-om-vi-ikke-bor-pa-stovner/69881951
https://www.seher.no/kongelig/vi-ble-kjent-pa-twitter/69879758

The Crown Princess and Mandal's mayor went in the same class at the primary school at Slettheia. They remember each other well...

https://translate.google.com/transl.../i/G1bW1J/Gikk-i-samme-skoleklasse&edit-text=
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Here's a very LATE and brief summary from me:

Well, this was CP MM at her best, wasn't it.
Out meeting people, and talking about literature (her favourite thing).
And with the exception of a question from VG about Marius, when she put on her usual ''not talking to the media face,'' everything seemed to go very well.

--------------------

Beeing a Norwegian, I have never seen anybody criticized these Literature trips before. Have I missed something?
Nice to see a Norwegian here. :flowers:

2014: The republican author, lawyer and former Minister of Justice for the Labour Party, Anne Holt criticised CP MM (on TV2 News Channel, I think) for taking the attention from authors.
Me: What??? I would actually say that she gives them more attention.

2015: Harald Stanghelle (republican editor of the former pro-monarchy, but now more balanced liberal conservative newspaper Aftenposten) & Kjetil B. Alstadheim (republican political editor of the republican liberal business newspaper Dagens Næringsliv) criticised the ''Train of Literature'' on TV2 News Channel.
I don't quite remember what they said, but think it was something about ''that this is not something a crown princess should get involved with.''

Yes, both Stanghelle & Alstadheim are republicans, but they are known to be quite serious - and many people listen to what they say.

2016: She was heavily criticized by author Birger Emanuelsen, something that was debated on both NRK and TV2, and written about in all the national newspapers.
I won't go into that criticism now, but one can read it here: Forfatter kritiserer kronprinsessens litteraturtog - NRK - translation

2017/2018: No criticism at all.
 
2015: Harald Stanghelle (republican editor of the former pro-monarchy, but now more balanced liberal conservative newspaper Aftenposten) & Kjetil B. Alstadheim (republican political editor of the republican liberal business newspaper Dagens Næringsliv) criticised the ''Train of Literature'' on TV2 News Channel.
I don't quite remember what they said, but think it was something about ''that this is not something a crown princess should get involved with.''

Yes, both Stanghelle & Alstadheim are republicans, but they are known to be quite serious - and many people listen to what they say.

:previous: Thanks for the summary and review ROYAL NORWAY!:flowers:

I don't understand that opinion (I don't agree the "taking the attention" part too but at least I get the logic). It's like a quibble to me, promoting local literature and reading culture isn't a bad thing at all, to me that's what a royal should do.
 
:previous: Thanks for the summary and review ROYAL NORWAY!:flowers:

I don't understand that opinion (I don't agree the "taking the attention" part too but at least I get the logic). It's like a quibble to me, promoting local literature and reading culture isn't a bad thing at all, to me that's what a royal should do.
You're very welcome! :flowers:

Well, most of the commentators here (including those who are pro-monarchy) doesn't want her to get involved in anything, whether it is her UN thing, her getting involved in social campaigns or stuff like the ''Train of Literature''.
Why? Well, it seems to me that they want her to be like the then CP Sonja in the 70s and 80s. - A completely uncontroversial crown princess without opinions, who just shows up at hospitals, schools and premieres, etc.
 
:previous: Thanks for the summary and review ROYAL NORWAY!:flowers:

I don't understand that opinion (I don't agree the "taking the attention" part too but at least I get the logic). It's like a quibble to me, promoting local literature and reading culture isn't a bad thing at all, to me that's what a royal should do.

Oh, that's simple to explain, although the psychology behind it is somewhat twisted.

You see, it's basically about snobbery.
Promoting, discussing and advocating literature, especially more "heavy-weight" literature should not be left to mere amateurs. Mette-Marit being such an amateur.
Promoting literature, higher quality art, more abstract classical music, classical ballet and so on to the ignorant unwashed masses, should be left to the recognized, self-appointed, self-confirming and studied experts. I.e. the critics.
And of course in the eyes of the studied academicae, it is of course enormously difficult for laymen (= everybody else but themselves) to even comprehend what constitutes good literature, let alone discuss it! Good heavens! (Insert a slightly condescending laugh.) (*)
I mean if common laymen can discuss literature (and perhaps even make it sound interesting...) what's to become of the cultural debates on TV and radio? (with a viewer rating of about 63...)
- In short: IMO it's a mix of snobbery, professional arrogance and the Emperor's new clothes. A trait often seen among small groups of "professional experts". ;)
And such conceited experts tend to look down on royalty. So Mette-Marit cannot do right in their eyes. She is trespassing on their turf.

Yes, I'm being a cynic. ?

(*) Akin to Colonel Durnford who, I believe, shortly before he was killed by Zulus, condescendingly said something along these lines: "Savages knowing anything about tactics?!? Why, it's preposterous! You learn tactics at a military academy, not in a hut!"

Here's a very LATE and brief summary from me:

Well, this was CP MM at her best, wasn't it.
Out meeting people, and talking about literature (her favourite thing).
And with the exception of a question from VG about Marius, when she put on her usual ''not talking to the media face,'' everything seemed to go very well.

--------------------


Nice to see a Norwegian here. :flowers:

2014: The republican author, lawyer and former Minister of Justice for the Labour Party, Anne Holt criticised CP MM (on TV2 News Channel, I think) for taking the attention from authors.
Me: What??? I would actually say that she gives them more attention.

2015: Harald Stanghelle (republican editor of the former pro-monarchy, but now more balanced liberal conservative newspaper Aftenposten) & Kjetil B. Alstadheim (republican political editor of the republican liberal business newspaper Dagens Næringsliv) criticised the ''Train of Literature'' on TV2 News Channel.
I don't quite remember what they said, but think it was something about ''that this is not something a crown princess should get involved with.'
'

Yes, both Stanghelle & Alstadheim are republicans, but they are known to be quite serious - and many people listen to what they say.

2016: She was heavily criticized by author Birger Emanuelsen, something that was debated on both NRK and TV2, and written about in all the national newspapers.
I won't go into that criticism now, but one can read it here: Forfatter kritiserer kronprinsessens litteraturtog - NRK - translation

2017/2018: No criticism at all.
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
Great pictures thanks for posting them, really good to see the Princess out and about .
 
Been a bit busy lately (hmm, that has actually been the case since the end of February, hence my limited time here these days), so I haven't had time to go through this, but let's do it now:

.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit will be on her "Literature Journey" again - on May 8 and 9. The Palace has released the programme of the two days today:



** kongehuset: Kronprinsessens Bokbane 8. og 9. mai 2019 ** translation **
Thanks! :flowers:

Yes, on April 26th, the court announced on The RH-website that the ''literature train'' (CP MM's 2-3 day annual train-journey through parts of Norway [since 2014] to promote her interest in literature to young people, where she interviews authors along the various stops and talks about personal stuff such as her father's alcohol problems) would this year become the ''literature metro.'' It was stated that The Crown Princess would be accompanied by her husband along the route which would take them from Kolsås in Bærum (a neighbouring municipality of Oslo) to Stovner in Oslo on May 8-9th, stopping for events at six libraries along the line, where CP MM's usual job of interviewing the authors would be taken over by NRK presenter, Silje Nordnes.

The court was then approached by the media who wanted to know ''why?'' Well, surprise, surprise, they said it was ''due to The Crown Princess' health condition.''
Read more in this Royal Central article (link) from April 26th, written by Norwegian Royal Commentator, Oskar Aanmoen, which includes a translation of what CP MM said about this year's literature-metro in a note to the tabloid VG (Norway's largest online news-website and second-largest print newspaper, known as very pro-monarchy).

--------------------

.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit made a short video message prior to her literature journey this week, probably recorded during last week's event.


** Video **
Thanks! :flowers:

Translation of what she said in the video: ''This year, the literature train has become the literature metro. And I'm really looking forward to it. We'll travel from west to east and end up at Stovner Library, and visit six libraries along the way. And we have with us writers and people who are happy to read, who will talk about important things. We're going to talk about the climate and environment, we're going to talk about fantasy literature, we're going to talk about body and gender, and we're going to talk about growing up. (Yes, I know I don't need to repeat ''we're going to'' all the time, but it was what she said!)
And not least, we are going to hear from some of the most fun hip-hop people about how it is to write hip-hop texts. That, I'm really looking forward to. And I hope you want to join us.''

--------------------

.

Accompanied by Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit started her book journey today, May 8:



** kongehuset: Bokbane fra vest til øst **


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 ** Pic 6 ** Pic 7 ** Pic 8 ** Pic 9 ** rex gallery **


** vg.no article with gallery & video: Kronprinsesse Mette-Marit på «Bokbanen»: Har med kronprins Haakon som stand-in **
.

Day 2 of the book tour today, May 9, and once again Crown Prince Haakon was present as well:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 **


** kongehuset: Bokbanen på vei østover ** gettyimages gallery **
Thanks! :flowers:

And The Crown Princess has been her usual warm and engaging self during all these events, visibly moved by the various interviews with the authors.
Read more about the programme and a bit about what Her Royal Highness said in her speeches (which she writes herself BTW) in this Royal Central article (link) from May 10th, also written by Norwegian Royal Commentator, Oskar Aanmoen.

--------------------

About her health: Yes, she was, of course, asked about it by the reporters present.

May 8th: She said she was ''incredibly glad'' that her form seemed to be holding that particular day, but that she ''was very tired.'' The Crown Prince BTW had to step in for her and held the last speech (which was why he was there in the first place).

May 9th: She said she had ''to take one day at a time,'' but that she ''was very happy'' that she had managed these two days, despite being ''helt utslitt'' (completely exhausted). - Especially since the literature events ''mean so much'' to her.

--------------------

Media coverage: Several news-clips (on the various TV-news), articles, hordes of journalists and unsurprisingly nothing but praise for the severely ill Crown Princess.

VG-video of the first 30 min of the journey which included one of several press-meetings (link).

NRK videos from day 1 (link) and day 2 (link).

BTW: Be aware that this was a regular metro-ride with travelling passengers, so The CP-Couple's ''Royal Police Escort officers'' (which one can read more about in the last part of this post - link) were therefore quite visible throughout the route.

--------------------

And on an endnote: I must say she impresses me, 28 engagements (with these six events) since we got the news about her illness on October 24th, not bad at all.
 
Last edited:
Crown Princess Mette Marit brings her “literature train” to Germany – Royal Central

This has been planned since last year (I wrote about it in another thread, back in January I think) and is what she uses most of her energy on right now.

But as one can see from the above post, she was ''completely exhausted'' after her ''literature metro'' from May 8-9th, and The Crown Prince (who accompanied her during the entire event) had to step in and hold one of her speeches. And according to the tabloid VG, he plans to be at her side in Germany as well.
 
Translation of what she said in the video: ''This year, the literature train has become the literature metro. And I'm really looking forward to it. We'll travel from west to east and end up at Stovner Library, and visit six libraries along the way. And we have with us writers and people who are happy to read, who will talk about important things. We're going to talk about the climate and environment, we're going to talk about fantasy literature, we're going to talk about body and gender, and we're going to talk about growing up. (Yes, I know I don't need to repeat ''we're going to'' all the time, but it was what she said!)
And not least, we are going to hear from some of the most fun hip-hop people about how it is to write hip-hop texts. That, I'm really looking forward to. And I hope you want to join us.''

Actually, in your translation she sounds delightfully enthusiastic about the journey!

Crown Princess Mette Marit brings her “literature train” to Germany – Royal Central

This has been planned since last year (I wrote about it in another thread, back in January I think) and is what she uses most of her energy on right now.

But as one can see from the above post, she was ''completely exhausted'' after her ''literature metro'' from May 8-9th, and The Crown Prince (who accompanied her during the entire event) had to step in and hold one of her speeches. And according to the tabloid VG, he plans to be at her side in Germany as well.

Thank you for all the details you share. It seems sensible and considerate of the crown prince and his staff to have contingency plans enabling him to step in for his wife if necessary, which will hopefully ease her way in maintaining the engagements she is dedicated to.
 
Back
Top Bottom