We have experienced things so horrible that it was impossible to imagine before they happened. It’s been a time full of sadness, shock and mourning, but also a time full of love and caring. The Norwegian people and the leaders, especially the PM, have done everything right in this situation. Revenge and hate has not been a focus at all, but democracy, love and anti-racism/anti-terror/anti-right wing-extremism have. The people’s response has been heart-warming, from huge marches and arrangements in support of the victims and their families in most Norwegian cities, to the amazing sea of flowers outside Oslo Cathedral. You can see a panoramic image of the flowers here. Amazing.
It makes me proud, and it makes my heart warm. We may be naive, as many have said, but if naivety means that we still can have a situation where we don’t have to be afraid and protected all the time, where guards and weapons are something we don’t see around us, where the Prime Minister still rides his bike to work, where the people can talk to the PM and the Royal family without being pushed away by guards, – where the Prime Minister a day after the attack talks to the press and the people on the street – not in some secret hiding place – if this is to be naive, I still want to be naive.
Last summer, my daughter and her friends had a long walk together with the Norwegian King and Queen, 15 minutes or so, and talked about everything from being a member of the royal family to how it is getting old. The guards were present, but they kept distance, and never pushed anyone away or interfered in any way. I still want things like that to happen in my country.
These quotes from the PM and from a member of the youth organization AUF give me hope:
“We will retaliate with more democracy”
“If one man can show so much hate, imagine how much love we all can show together”
This quote, from my old hero Morrissey, does not give me hope, – and it just makes me sad. Although I love the songs he has been a part of making, this man should shut his mouth, the sooner the better. My ears refuse to listen.
“We all live in a murderous world, as the events in Norway have shown, with 97 dead [sic]. Though that is nothing compared to what happens in McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried s— every day.”
Today, the first of the victims from the Oslo/Utøya tragedy are buried. My thoughts are with their friends and family.
I don’t really want to talk much about music today, and I hope you understand. I have made the “Loved Songs”-playlist, as usual, but that will be the only thing you will get today. Well, not the only thing…
The artists Kråkesølv and Magnus Eliassen have made a song in support of the victims of the tragedy, where all the money from the sales will go to the Red Cross, who have done a great job in this situation. You can buy the single at Platekompaniet or iTunes.
…and here is the Spotify Playlist with the new-ish songs I have loved this week:
