  INN Monthly - September 2011 Hello everyone, Summer in Norway is at its end and despite everything that has happened over the last month and a half, most people seem to be back at their jobs and into their daily routines. Even the politicians of the party which suffered the biggest loss in the terrorist attacks in July, the Norwegian Labour Party, have now joined the campaign leading up to the local general voting day, 12th September. Here we present to you some of the central issues being discussed by the local candidates in Bergen and Hordaland, plus some other news, interesting facts and upcoming events. NEWS Norway’s answer The people of Norway are now answering the terrorist attacks with more democracy. On 22nd of July 2011 Norway was attacked by a single terrorist who was able to kill 76 people, before he was arrested  later that day. The whole world was shocked by both the brutality of the terrorists’ actions and by the fact that such a dramatic and tragic thing could happen in such a peaceful and democratic society. But the way the Norwegians responded to the terrorism, with unity and promises of more openness and democracy, many have found just as impressive, and also encouraging. The Newspaper Bergens Tidende has written on its website that the Labour Party has attracted 6700 new members during August, and they are not the only party growing. – In Norway all political parties have experienced a rise in new members after the tragic events in Oslo and Utøya Island, the leader of the Labour Party in Hordaland, Sveinung Valle, confirmed to Bergens Tidende. He said: - It has become all the more important for us now to show others how much we treasure our democracy. Especially the younger generation has shown great enthusiasm. Social problems are costing UiB millions One of the issues being discussed in the local election campaign in Bergen is how to deal with drug addicts and drug dealing in the public park “Nygårdsparken”. The University of Bergen is located very close to the park. Vandalism and burglary, committed by drug addicts and other residents of Nygårdsparken, is costing the university millions of Norwegian kroner every year, writes Bergensavisen. The University of Bergen’s own online newspaper, På Høyden, state that last year the total number of burglaries at UiB was 59, and every day they have six men working to clean the campus area. The chairman of the park section, Bjørn Atle Holmedal, is hoping that the politicians will act: - There is so much to do, we are almost about to give up, he says.  Rising housing prices From July to August the housing prices in Norway went up 2, 9 percent, which is 9, 4 percent more than the same period last year. At the same time, housing prices in Bergen vary according to which part of town you are in. These are conclusions from the calculations done by the Norwegian Real-estate Association. Looking further on, the experts at Nordea Markets predict that the numbers will keep rising – a 10 percent increase in 2012 and a 6-7 percent increase in 2013. For more news in English: www.norwaypost.no FACTS Elections and politics in Norway September 12th is Election Day in Norway. This years’ election will be a local election, which is really two separate elections held at the same time: the county election and a municipal election. Local elections in Norway are held every fourth year – the same as for the  parliamentary elections. The Norwegian voters are used to choosing among a list of parties and not candidates, when giving their vote, although in local elections they can also influence who the party they vote for send to represent them in the local councils. In a multiparty system with an election system based on proportional representation, the most common type of government in Norway has been a coalition or a minority cabinet. The current central government is made up by the Norwegian Labour Party, the Socialist Left Party, and the Centre Party – or the “red-green alternative”, as it is also called. This government has been in charge since 2005. To the political right we find the Conservative Party and the Progressive Party as the two largest opposition parties. Norway is generally known to be a centralized political system. This month: September The ninth month of the year, September, was for the Romans the seventh month and this is also where the name “September” stems from: “Septem” means “seven” in Latin. In Norse times, September was called “the autumn month”, which was only natural since this was the month for harvesting. September was also the time of year when the fishermen on the Norwegian coastline were out fishing for herring, so here it was known as “the fishing month”. The herring, which was salted and stored in barrels, were very important food for getting through the winter. EVENTS Family, food and sports; Bergen Food festival 2011: from September 9th to September 11th at Bryggen in Bergen. At the Bergen Food Festival 2011 you will meet local farmers and producers from Hordaland and Sogn og Fjordane who sell their own products and provide unique information on their products and the production. Among the foods you can buy you will find meat, vegetables, fruit, honey, herbs, butter and many other things. Opening hours: Friday 9/9: 10am to 6pm. Saturday 10/9: 10am to 6pm. Sunday 11/9: 10am to 4pm. (www.matfest.no) September every year Bergen is hosting a very hard run up Mount Sandviken – a path called “Stoltzekleiven”. The elevation of Mount Sandviken is 313 meters and there are 801 stairs to climb in total. Are you up for it? Registration is required and you will have to pay a registration fee. See more on http://stoltzen.no.  The autumn is a perfect time for fishing. These are freshwaters where it's for free and you don't need a fishing licence. Haukelandsvatnet: The most common species are trout and pike. Grimevannet: The most common species are trout, pike and Perch. From Nesttun you follow Hardangervegen for 15 minutes, and from Åsane you drive trough Arna and than against Nesttun at Hardangervegen. Liavannet in Åsane: Particularly good opportunities to take the char, but in the spawning period in October. You can also gain a lot of trout here. These are salt waters where it?s for free and you don?t need a fishing license Nordåsvatnet: This is a mixture of salt and fresh water. There are opportunities to gain both sea trout, sea bass, salmon, stickleback and rainbow trout. No fishing license. For map and driving direction: www.gulesider.no Traditional autumn recepie; FÅRIKÅL: Lamb and cabbage stew, a national dish of Norway Ingredients:  3 kg (6 1/2 pounds) sliced lamb shoulder, neck, or breast on the bone 3 kg (6 1/2 pounds) cabbage, in large wedges salt to tast 1 tbsp black peppercorns 1 liter (quart) boiling water 1 1/2 dl (2/3 cup) flour 1 1/4 dl (1/2 cup) cold water DIRECTION: In the late fall, lamb and cabbage stew is a popular Sunday dinner dish. In a wide, heavy pot, layer the meat with the cabbage, sprinkling each layer with salt and peppercorns. Add boiling water. Bring to a boil and simmer until the meat is tender, about 2 hours. Season with salt and pepper. The stock should be quite peppery. Stir the flour into the cold water, then stir into the pot to thicken. Bring to a boil. Serve with boiled potatoes. Mark: The Fårikål's day is this year 29th September. This day everyone should eat fårikål.... ;) Museums Bergen Medieval Music Days: from September 1st to September 4th at Bergen City Museum. In the beginning of September the Bergen City Museum holds a festival aimed to present the leading research on medieval music. The Bergen Medieval Music Days will also highlight the medieval city of Bergen, drawing on contributions by a range of both local and international performers and academics. There will also be activities for children. The full programme and more information about tickets and prices you will find on http://www.bymuseet.no/. Concerts and Shows Lunch concerts every day from June 7th to September 30th at Troldhaugen. Concerts with famous piano music of Edvard Grieg are held every day this month at 13pm. The concerts have a duration  of about half an hour and take place in Troldhaugens chamber music hall, Troldsalen. The tickets cost 100 NOK (Children under 16 have free admission) and included in the price is also entrance to the museum and a guided tour through Edvard Grieg's villa, Troldhaugen. The tickets are sold at the door, for reservation see www.troldhaugen.com. Eldbjørg Hemsing and Sveinung Bjelland play works by Arne Nordheim: September 4th, 14pm, in Troldsalen, Troldhaugen. Eldbjørg Hemsing, violin Sveinung Bjelland, piano (Mats Claesson, sound) Works by Arne Nordheim (1931–2010). For booking information see www.troldhaugen.com. Melina Mandozzi and friends from Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra: September 18th, 14pm, in Troldsalen, Troldhaugen. Melina Mandozzi, violin String players from Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Works by Johan Svendsen (1840–1911). For booking information see www.troldhaugen.com. Opera: “Et Nytt Rekviem” Grieghallen: September 13th and September 14th. (www.dennyeopera.no) Phonofestivalen – music festival. Concert: Xzibit & DJ Quik: WEATHER  For more detailed information about the weather, visit: Have a nice autumn! Best regards, The INN Club team |
16/09/11
Bergen September 2011
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