Im very glad he used The year with the royal family to say what he wanted to say about the Marius case, Even if he alluded to it now, saying it has been a tough year, he did not use this speech for his own family. A beautifully written speech, you can really see that his main speech writer is a theologian. I also thought his delivery was quite good, I hope Haakon and Ingrid continue to have the speech in black tie, it suits a speech at 19.30 on new years eve
Ny favoritten part:
I'm not a psychologist. But this is what I have experienced: It is important to find ways to deal with what is difficult in order to live as best as possible with ourselves and with each other.
None of us can do this alone. We need each other. We need motivation and help to move forward. We need to believe that it will get better. It can be hard work. But it is vital work. It is even community-building work.
For all these individuals who stand in their trials are hands in this link we form together. Where we work together in big and small ways. Where we face challenges together. Where we try to make good decisions together.
Leonard Cohen sings in one of his songs:
There is a crack in all things. That's where the light comes in.
It gives hope to all of us when we feel like something is breaking. I think we would be better off if we got rid of the idea that life should preferably be simple, and preferably fairly perfect. Because that's not how it is.
If I was one of those who make scetches in the papers I would go after this part, of an old man who knows war and has been a refugee himself watching out of the window when Oslo wakes up:
In 2025, we will mark 80 years since liberation and the end of the Second World War. It happens that I stand in the window here at the Castle in the morning and look out over the city, down Karl Johans street. The morning sun comes up over the hill and colors the sky pink and orange. Slowly the city comes to life. It is so beautiful and so peaceful.
Then I give thanks
Because if we rewind almost 85 years, the picture was completely different: Then the soldiers of a foreign power marched down the same street one early morning. They took away our freedom. Created fear and division. After five long years, the nightmare was finally over.
War is just terrible. Peace and freedom mean everything.
