Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visiting City Hall:
At Oslo's City Hall, the six statues facing the water-
front—dating from a period of Labor Party rule in Norway—celebrate the no-
bility of the working class. The art implies a classless society, showing every-
one working together. The theme continues inside, with 20,000 square feet of
bold and colorful Socialist Realist murals showing town folk, country folk,
and people from all walks of life working harmoniously for a better society.
The huge murals take you on a voyage through the collective psyche of Nor-
way, from its simple rural beginnings through the scar tissue of the Nazi oc-
cupation and beyond. Filled with significance and symbolism—and well-de-
scribed in English—the murals become even more meaningful with the excel-
lent guided tours.
The main hall feels like a temple to good government, with its altar-like
mural celebrating “work, play, and civic administration.” The mural emphas-
izes Oslo's youth participating in community life—and rebuilding the coun-
try after Nazi occupation. Across the bottom, the slum that once cluttered
up Oslo's harborfront is being cleared out to make way for this building.
Above that, scenes show Norway's pride in its innovative health care and
education systems. Left of center, near the top, Mother Norway rests on a
church—reminding viewers that the Lutheran Church of Norway (the official
state religion) provides a foundation for this society. On the right, four forms
represent the arts; they illustrate how creativity springs from children. And
in the center, the figure of Charity is surrounded by Culture, Philosophy, and
Family.
The “Mural of the Occupation” lines the left side of the hall. It tells the
story of Norway's WWII experience. Looking left to right, you'll see the fol-
lowing: The German blitzkrieg overwhelms the country. Men head for the
mountains to organize a resistance movement. Women huddle around the wa-
ter well, traditionally where news is passed, while Quislings (traitors named
after the Norwegian fascist who ruled the country as a Nazi puppet) listen in.
While Germans bomb and occupy Norway, a family gathers in their living
room. As a boy clenches his fist (showing determination) and a child holds
the beloved Norwegian flag, the Gestapo steps in. Columns lie on the ground,
symbolizing how Germans shut down the culture by closing newspapers and
the university. Two resistance soldiers are executed. A cell of resistance fight-
