So many statues honoring a diverse collection of people representing so many important and good parts of Oslo and Norway’s history.
Aasta Hansteen
Aasta Hansteen (1824–1908) was a Norwegian painter, writer, and early feminist. My favourite thing about Aasta Hansteen is that she was so implacable. Although she was harassed throughout her life and subjected to attempts to manage her behaviour, she stuck to her guns. She refused to give in to the ideal of the subservient woman that prevailed in her age and instead upheld her own sense of what was right and wrong, insisting on following her own path.
The Piper in Piperviken
The statue of the piper represents the area where brigade music tamburs (drummers) and pipers (flutes) lived. The area was essentially a slum, so none of the original buildings exist — but the statue ensures the history of the area is never forgotten.
King Olav V
The sculpture of Olav V is a statue that honors Norway’s former king, Olav V, who reigned from 1957 to 1991. It was unveiled in 2015 to mark the king’s importance to the country and his popularity among the people.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The statue of Franklin D. Roosevelt is a monument commemorating Roosevelt’s support for Norway during World War II. It symbolizes Norway’s gratitude for Roosevelt’s efforts, particularly his “Look to Norway” speech, which praised Norwegian resistance during the war and helped restore the country’s image after the German invasion.
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