In the weekends, you find the Norwegian enjoying the outdoor life. At this time of the year, normally on skis, but last Sunday they made an exception – at least most of the people in Oslo. In celebration of our King Harald’s 70s birthday, there was an art attraction on the castle grounds. My wife and I had a Sunday afternoon date and decided to see this art work in ice. We had seen it on the TV when the entire Kings guest at the royal ball took in the sculpture. I had my Nokia mobile phone on hand of course, and gladly share to give you an idea of the crowd and the fascinating Ice Rose:
The Ice Rose is made by Peder Istad and his group of artists ‘Minus’ from a town on the west side of Norway; Molde. It took 100 tons’ of ice, 45 kilo (99 pounds) per brick – totally 2000 bricks – to make this rose. The installation is 15 meters (49 foot) wide and 4,5 m (15 foot) high, integrated with coloured light and sound (compost by Jon Balke).
There where hundreds of people on the castle grounds and they all wanted to walk through the rose labyrinth. It was interesting to listen to all the dialects and languages spoken between the ice walls. It strikes me how ‘international’ Oslo has become.
In the centre of the rose are the King Harald V and Queen Sonja’s monograms engraved. Let me remind you of that Queen Sonja also turn 70 this year, so the whole week of celebration is a joint adventure. As the matter of fact, she is born the 4th of July. So now you American friends and readers know why you have fireworks that day:-)
When we where there, there was also the daily change of The Kings Guard (taking place every day at 1:30PM). If one didn’t feel safe enough with the guard, we also saw mounted policemen on the main street up to the castle. It was a lovely Sunday outdoor experience and another lovely quality time with my wife!
To my regular visitors and friends: I’m rather busy this weekend. We are going to my home town Porsgrunn for the traditional yearly ‘Rakfisk lag’ (click to see from last year!). So please forgive me if you don’t see me that much commenting around the next days!
I saw that on TV and I think it sooo wonderful! Actually it was nice seeing the celebration of the king’s bday and such!
That is so awesome! Maybe there is some video of it online somewhere to see? I would love to see the lights and music with it! Wow, it makes me thirsty just looking at it!
that is really really cool. I saw an interview with a guy who does that for a living. If you’ve got the talent at times it appears to be one super cool job! Love the pics of course. I feel like we could have something liek that here this week. But of course our snow isn’t sticking which is totally fine with me!
I love ice sculptures!
We have a winterfest here where they build sculptures.
wow! i like the photos!! enjoy! :)
The sculpture is wonderful!
Have a good time back “home” for the Rakfisk lag!
oh what a lovely ice sculpture. i think i’d have to touch too!
do enjoy your visit home and the rakfisk. :)
Wow! The ice sculpture looks great!
What an interesting ice sculpture. Thanks for sharing your photos. Enjoy your visit this weekend.
The photos you captured of the “Ice Rose” are fantastic. I especially like the one of the children touching the “ice wall.” Have a great weekend!
(I was here again in the morning,Renny,but couldnt comment.the blogger was acting up)
I was gonna say that that Snow castle was really huge and awesome.
Part of Japan,Hokkaido,has a so called Snow Festival,too that`s so famous for all the people living there and for the tourist too.Its a kinda contest where in lots of groups do the making with a time limit and they really attract the mass media.I really wanted to view them personally,I hope one day… ;)
Happy weekend to you and Dianne,Renny!!
That sculpture looks awesome! Have a good visit!
wow this is so beautiful! you shoulda gone up to that balcony and gotten an aerial pic too hehehe
have a great weekend!
Wow! That’s soooo cool!
Thanks for sharing that Renny. I bet it looked wonderful at night with the colored lights. In St. Paul, Minnesota they have a winter festival and have had a some ice castles over the years. They were beautiful.
Have a great weekend with your family.
So amazing! I’d like to see it and the famous Ice Hotels, but I forget where they are.???
Lovely pictures. Sorry.. I’ve had such trouble commenting lately.
Hope you and Diane have a wonderful and fun weekend!
:)
I enjoyed your blog and pictures today! take care :)
Oh Wow! How long does it last before it melts Renny? This is so awesome I wish I could be there to snap some pics too :)
Hei Renny!
Unfortunately, I could not find the time to go to Oslo these days :( to see the ice rose…
You took very good photos, though!
Have a great week ahead :)
The sculpure is really beautiful Renny. Have a great week!
Wow those are amazing….looks so cold but kewl!! Thanks for sharing….Happy Monday!
I love that the ice sculpture is so interactive, Renny. You can walk through it and touch it. The pic of the little girls is priceless. And I love the monograms. Of course, I then had to laugh about why we celebrate on July 4th. I knew there was a reason! :)