President:  His Majesty King Harald and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon were present.

PROGRAMME

Commemorative address by Dag Terje Andersen, President of the Storting
Commemorative address by Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister

Ole Bull: En mors bønn
Ennio Morricone: Gabriel’s Oboe
Arve Tellefsen, violin

The President of the Storting commemorates those who died during the terror attacks in Oslo and on Utøya

Ole Bull: Melankoli and Seterjentens søndag
Arve Tellefsen, violin

National anthem

Dag Terje Andersen, President of the Storting: Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, dear assembly,
We will forever remember 22nd July 2011 as a dark day in Norwegian history.  Our country was struck by terror. Seventy seven people were killed. Many were critically or seriously injured. The testimonies of the survivors are heart-breaking.

What we have experienced together is still difficult to comprehend.

It was an attack against our government, against our values and against our community. An entire nation is suffering pain and loss. The international community is full of compassion for those in mourning.

Some Members of the Storting were on Utøya. Others are next of kin.

On behalf of a united Storting, I express our deepest sympathy with all those who have been affected by the tragedies at the government offices and on Utøya.

Without the heroic actions of those present in both Oslo and around Utøya, our loss may have been greater.

 On behalf of the Storting, I express our deep gratitude to the police, medical staff, the fire service, voluntary organizations and local authorities. I would like to thank the local community and those at the campsite at Utvika. People who, without consideration for their own safety, used boats to rescue young people from Utøya. The young people from the Labour Youth League themselves demonstrated great courage in rescuing their companions.

You were there in our moment of need. You saved many lives.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your heroic efforts.

I would like to convey the Norwegian people’s sincere thanks to the King and Queen and to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. You have shared our sorrows. When we have lacked words, you have conveyed our thoughts and feelings.

I know that I speak for a unified Storting and the entire nation when I pay a special thanks to the Prime Minister and his Government for the way they have led the nation through the most critical situation we have experienced during times of peace. The government offices may be wrecked, but our country’s Government is not.

I would also like to express our gratitude for the all-party solidarity we have seen from the leaders of our political parties. The Government and Labour Youth League were the targets of the terror. But all of our democratic parties feel its impact.

One of the things that has attracted international attention is the absence of vengeful expressions from the Norwegian people.  When we were put to the test, we demonstrated the nation we want to be through our actions.

The entire Norwegian nation has gathered in unity, young and old alike, regardless of political and religious affiliation.

In the days following the catastrophe, hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets. An enormous wave of candles and flowers has swept the land. We hear a resounding “Yes!” to unity and solidarity with those affected, and a resounding “No!” to violence and terror. Nobody should underestimate the power and resolve behind these actions.

I feel profoundly humbled to represent the Norwegian people. It is a privilege to lead a people who collectively know how to do the right thing.

This is the very reason why, even when the nation has suffered enormous human loss, we should remain committed to the democratic principles our society is built upon.

It is natural to feel angry about these outrages. But even when the pain is deepest, our response should be founded on the rule of law. We must forge strength from anger.

The 18th century French philosopher Voltaire said the following to an adversary: “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.”

We should be tolerant of controversial and unconventional opinions. Even outrageous ones. Extreme points of view must be confronted and opposed with the force of reason, not censorship.

Yet it is also the responsibility of society to prevent extreme views from resulting in actions that violate or harm other people. Such actions must be fully dealt with under the principles of the justice system.

When we encounter hatred of those who are different, our response should be to promote diversity. We should not be afraid of those who do not share our particular beliefs, but of those who hate anyone that thinks differently to themselves.

We are justly proud of our open and safe society that makes it natural for people to meet their politicians face to face in our streets and towns. Terror must not result in a greater distance between the electorate and the elected. Direct contact between the people and our elected representatives is the foundation of our representative democracy.  We want to continue in this manner. We will continue in this manner. The people shall be governed by their elected representatives.

One profound impression from these past days is the message from our young survivors. Their message that terror must not result in hate, but in more love and compassion; not in fear, but in commitment and participation.

Many of us have adopted the words of these young people. Now we have to share the responsibility for converting these words into action. The reactions have been manifold. People have taken to the streets. Joined processions. Offered flowers, candles and children’s drawings. Priests and Imams have stood shoulder to shoulder.

 All our political parties’ youth organizations have seen a surge in applications for membership and willingness to participate.

Democracy has demonstrated its strength and determination when put to the test. Elections are a democracy’s most important single process. Regardless of how people vote, it is critical that we do vote in this autumn’s elections.

Building democracy is building community. This is our common responsibility. By supporting our children’s football team. By pulling together for the local neighbourhood. By caring for those less fortunate. And by treating other people with openness and respect. We can listen to those who are different from ourselves instead of stigmatizing them. And we can all consider how, as individuals, we can promote more understanding and respect for one another.

Positive change is difficult to achieve, not least if we think that it means that only other people have to make the change.  Perhaps we should all start by spending a little time reflecting upon what we can change in order to bring about more understanding.

Perhaps this would also be a good opportunity for those of us who are elected representatives to reflect upon and reassess our own positions.  Democracy involves opposing opinions and open debate. Are there times when we disagree with our adversaries, in spite of our better judgment? When we choose to interpret their opinions in the worst light? Or when we allow ourselves to respond without actually finding out what they have actually said?

Perhaps we should also think about the language we use. Do we express ourselves in a way that allows Norwegian society as a whole to feel we are representing it, and that allows all our people to feel that they belong to it?

In 1945 the Norwegian author Haldis Moren Vesaas said, and we say again today:
It is no longer about me.
From now on it is about we.

Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, dear all,

Some dark days are behind us. There are more ahead. We must continue to care for those affected in the months and years to come. We must continue to develop democracy.

The Norwegian people have responded to calculated outrages with compassion.

A single sentence has been etched into the national consciousness. Transmitted around the world, it has symbolized the best of our younger generation.  Let us make a common commitment to embody the message of the AUF girl Helle Gannestad:
“If one man can create so much hate, imagine how much love we can create together.”

Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister: Your Majesty, Your Royal, President,
The Norwegian people were put to the ultimate test on 22 July.
The map was torn apart.
The compass shot to pieces.
Each and every one of us had to find our way through a landscape of shock, fear and devastation.

It could have gone very badly.
We could have got lost.

But the Norwegian people found their way.
Out of darkness and uncertainty, home to Norway.

Today I want to express my appreciation for this.

We are still a country in mourning.
We are burying our dead from Utøya and the government offices.

Parents are sitting by hospital beds.
Many are weeping.
Hearts are bleeding.
We will continue to comfort those who mourn.
Take care of those who are struggling.
Honour the dead.

But now it is also time to say thank you.

I would like to thank His Majesty The King, His Royal Highness The Crown Prince and the whole of the Royal Family for the warmth and compassion they have shown.

I would like to thank the Storting for its willingness and ability to stand together at a time when the nation needed unity.

There are many more who deserve our thanks.
The police.
The fire and rescue services.
Health personnel.
The armed forces.
The civil defence.
The Norwegian Church and other religious and belief communities.

Voluntary organisations.
Volunteers who provided invaluable help in the government office complex and on Utøya
Employees in the affected ministries.
The staff of Sundvolden Hotel.
All those around the Tyrifjorden lake who took resolute action.

Many of them put their own lives at risk.

On Sunday 21 August, we will pay tribute to their courage at a national memorial for all those who were directly affected and all those who have helped.

I would also like to express my gratitude for kind words and condolences from all over the world.
For letters, flowers, messages of support on Facebook and other social media.
We have felt that we are not alone. This has given us strength.

But my warmest thanks go to the Norwegian people.

Who took responsibility when it was most needed.
Who retained their human dignity.
Who chose democracy.

And the foremost amongst them are the young people.
The Labour Youth League came under fire.
But a whole generation has mobilised in sorrowful protest.

The 22 July generation are our heroes, our hope.

This means that we can look to the future with renewed confidence in our fundamental values.
And with the hope that the commitment to decent dialogue and greater tolerance will continue to grow.

This time of mourning has made many of us stop and think about our own standpoints.
Reflect on our thoughts and words.
In hindsight – after the tragedy of 22 July – we may well realise that we should sometimes have expressed ourselves differently.
And we will choose our words more carefully in the future.

But I would ask people not to start a witch hunt, not to go looking for things that should not have been said.

We have shown extraordinary solidarity during this surreal period. Now we must continue to meet each other with good will.
We can all learn something from this tragedy.
We may all need to say, “I was wrong”, and we should all be met with respect.

This is equally true in everyday conversations and in the public debate.

It applies to politicians and editors.
It applies in the canteen at work and on the Internet.
It applies to us all.

As politicians, we promise that we will take the spirit of 22 July with us when we start up normal political activities once again.

We will show the same wisdom and respect as the Norwegian people have done.

With freedom of speech as our weapon, and in the best traditions of this chamber, we will ensure that human dignity and security win over fear and hatred.

We owe this to the Norwegian people.

Arve Tellefsen played En mors bønn by Ole Bull and Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone.

Dag Terje Andersen, President of the Storting: Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, honourable Members.
77 people lost their lives in the terror attacks in Oslo and on Utøya. Those who died are:
1. Gunnar Linaker, 23, Bardu
2. Tove Åshill Knutsen, 56, Oslo
3. Hanna M. Orvik Endresen, 61, Oslo
4. Kai Hauge, 32, Oslo
5. Sharidyn Svebakk-Bøhn, 14, Drammen
6. Silje Merete Fjellbu, 17, Tinn
7. Hanne A. Balch Fjalestad, 43, Lunner
8. Bano Abobakar Rashid, 18, Nesodden
9. Syvert Knudsen, 17, Lyngdal
10. Diderik Aamodt Olsen, 19, Nesodden
11. Simon Sæbø, 18, Salangen
12. Synne Røyneland, 18, Oslo
13. Anne Lise Holter, 51, Våler, Østfold
14. Trond Berntsen, 51, Øvre Eiker
15. Birgitte Smetbak, 15, Nøtterøy
16. Margrethe Bøyum Kløven, 16, Bærum
17. Even Flugstad Malmedal, 18, Gjøvik
18. Tamta Lipartelliani, 23, Georgia
19. Kevin Daae Berland, 15, Askøy
20. Silje Stamneshagen, 18, Askøy
21. Hanne Kristine Fridtun, 19, Stryn
22. Kjersti Berg Sand, 26, Nord-Odal
23. Håkon Ødegaard, 17, Trondheim
24. Sondre Furseth Dale, 17, Haugesund
25. Henrik André Pedersen, 27, Porsanger
26. Eivind Hovden, 15, Tokke
27. Rolf Christopher Johansen Perreau, 25, Trondheim
28. Sverre Flåte Bjørkavåg, 28, Sula
29. Eva Kathinka Lütken, 17, Sarpsborg
30. Ismail Haji Ahmed, 19, Hamar
31. Maria Maagerø Johannesen, 17, Nøtterøy
32. Modupe Ellen Awoyemi, 15, Drammen
33. Lene Maria Bergum, 19, Namsos
34. Guro Vartdal Håvoll, 18, Ørsta
35. Marianne Sandvik, 16, Stavanger
36. Andreas Dalby Grønnesby, 17, Stange
37. Sondre Kjøren, 17, Orkdal
38. Bendik Rosnæs Ellingsen, 18, Rygge
39. Gizem Dogan, 17, Trondheim
40. Snorre Haller, 30, Trondheim
41. Johannes Buø, 14, Mandal
42. Karar Mustafa Qasim, 19, Vestby
43. Andreas Edvardsen, 18, Sarpsborg
44. Ronja Søttar Johansen, 17, Vefsn
45. Emil Okkenhaug, 15, Levanger
46. Åsta Sofie Helland Dahl, 16, Sortland
47. Monica Iselin Didriksen, 18, Sund
48. Rune Havdal, 43, Øvre Eiker
49. Tore Eikeland, 21, Bergen
50. Espen Jørgensen, 17, Bodø
51. Karin Elena Holst, 15, Rana
52. Aleksander Aas Eriksen, 16, Meråker
53. Victoria Stenberg, 17, Nes, Akershus
54. Ruth Benedichte Vatndal Nilsen, 15, Tønsberg
55. Isabel Victoria Green Sogn, 17, Oslo
56. Ida Beathe Rogne, 17, Østre Toten
57. Elisabeth Trønnes Lie, 16, Halden
58. Monica Elisabeth Bøsei, 45, Hole
59. Håvard Vederhus, 21, Oslo
60. Carina Borgund, 18, Oslo
61. Ingrid Berg Heggelund, 18, Ås
62. Tarald Kuven Mjelde, 18, Osterøy
63. Porntip Ardam, 21, Oslo
64. Andrine Bakkene Espeland, 16, Fredrikstad
65. Torjus Jakobsen Blattmann, 17, Kristiansand
66. Jamil Rafal Mohamad Jamil, 20, Eigersund
67. Tina Sukuvara, 18, Vadsø
68. Fredrik Lund Schjetne, 18, Eidsvoll
69. Steinar Jessen, 16, Alta
70. Lejla Selaci, 17, Fredrikstad
71. Henrik Rasmussen, 18, Hadsel
72. Thomas Margido Antonsen, 16, Oslo
73. Mona Abdinur, 18, Oslo
74. Anders Kristiansen, 18, Bardu
75. Jon Vegard Lervåg, 32, Oslo
76. Ida Marie Hill, 34, Oslo
77. Hanne Ekroll Løvlie, 30, Oslo

Peace be on the memory of those who died. I would now ask you all to observe a minute’s silence.

The Members stood while the President read out the names of those who had died.

Dag Terje Andersen, President of the Storting: Thank you.

Arve Tellefsen played Melankoli and Seterjentens søndag by Ole Bull.

The assembly then sang the first verse of the national anthem, Ja, vi elsker.