A collection of speeches after the terrorist attack on 22 July

Today Norway has been hit by two shocking, bloody and cowardly attacks.

We don’t know who attacked us. A lot of things are still uncertain.

We do know that many are dead and many are injured.

We are all shaken by the evil that struck us so brutally and so suddenly.


This is an evening that demands a lot from all of us.

The days to follow are going to be even more demanding.

We are prepared for this. Norway is united in times of crisis.

We grieve over those we lost.

We hurt with those who have been hurt.

And we feel for their loved ones.


This is an attack on innocent civilians. On youths at summer camp. On us.

I have a message for those who attacked us. And those who are behind it.


This message is from all of Norway:

You will not be able to destroy us.

You will not be able to destroy our democracy and our commitment to a better world.

We are a small nation, but we are a proud nation.

No one can bomb us to silence.

No one can shoot us to silence.

No one will ever scare us away from being Norway.


This evening, and tonight, we will look after each other.

Comfort each other, talk to each other and stand together.

Tomorrow, we will show the world that Norway’s democracy will become stronger in times of need.

We will find the perpetrators and hold them accountable.

The most important thing tonight is to save human lives and show all the victims and their families that we care.

I commend the police, the healthcare staff and everyone else doing a tremendous job in these hours to help people and limit the damage.


We must never give up our values.

Show that our open society will also pass this test.

That the answer to violence is even more democracy.

Even more humanity.

But never naivety.

We owe that to the victims and their families.

Last night, it became clear that what happened at the AUF summer camp on Utøya yesterday is a national tragedy. Our country has not experienced a greater crime since the war.

At least 80 young people were taken from us on Utøya. We have also lost staff in the government building complex.
It is incomprehensible. It is like a nightmare.
A nightmare for the young people who were killed. For their loved ones. Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who were brutally confronted with death.

But also for the survivors and their families. Each and every person who was on Utøya has been marked for life.
Young people have experienced things that no one should have to experience. Fear, blood and death.
I don’t have words to express how much I feel for all those who have been affected.
Today – in a few hours – I was supposed to meet the youths on Utøya. Many of them are no longer alive.

For me, Utøya is the paradise of my youth, which turned into hell yesterday.
Now, it’s all about supporting and helping those who are devastated by grief.
Many are still working to save lives. I visited Ullevål Hospital last night, and praised the outstanding work that the healthcare staff are doing there.

We also thank the police force, fire department crew and everyone else doing a great job. And the volunteers who have come forward.

Everyone is doing an impressive job, which is good to see. All of us feel the need to contribute, talk to each other and take care of each other.

Last night, I talked to the leader of the AUF, Eskil Pedersen. He is devoting all his energy to comforting and assisting everyone who has been affected.

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Minister of Culture Anniken Huitfeldt were at Sundvollen last night and in the early hours of morning, assisting those who have come from Utøya and their families.
Many are still waiting for answers.

I will be travelling to Sundvollen later today, to meet the people who have been affected and their families.
The ministers whose ministries are most affected by the events will meet this morning, and there will be a cabinet meeting later today.

The flag will be flown at half-mast, as an expression of the nation’s grief over the tragedy that has hit us.

Norway has been struck by a national tragedy. The kind of calamity that we hoped would never happen here has somehow taken place.

At Sundvolden today we met young people and their families who shared with us their gruesome stories. They have lived through a day that is beyond all comprehension. Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to all of those afflicted by the events in Oslo and on Utøya.

The police, rescue workers, health personnel and volunteers have worked tirelessly and heroically to save lives, in some cases at risk to their own. All of us are affected by the catastrophe that has swept over us, and we watch in disbelief as the death toll continues to rise.

In the midst of all the anguish and chaos, the Prime Minister, the Government and the ministries have responded to the situation with exceptional fortitude and resolve.

Both as individuals and as a nation it will take us a long time to digest and work our way through what we have witnessed, our grief and our feelings. We will need each other in this process. Throughout the length and breadth of our country, there are people who have lost someone they loved. Many of our children and young people are afraid today. We must make every effort to reassure them. Many will want to be together, while others will need space for quiet reflection. It is comforting that the country’s churches are open for anyone who wishes to light a candle and seeks a place to be. It is also helpful that the local authorities and volunteer organisations are providing arenas for those who feel a need to be with others.

There is still much we do not know about the background for yesterday’s atrocities, and it is essential that we let the responsible authorities continue their work to bring clarity to the situation. Some things we do know, however: the acts in Oslo and on Utøya are an attack on the Norwegian society that we hold so dear. And they represent an assault upon the very heart of Norwegian democracy.

It is when our nation is put to the test that the true strength, solidarity and courage of the Norwegian people come to the fore. We stand united behind our values.

I firmly believe that freedom is stronger than fear.

I firmly believe in an open Norwegian democracy and society

I firmly believe that we will uphold our ability to live freely and securely in our own country.

Your Majesties,

Dear Eskil,

Dear all of you,

It is nearly two days since Norway was hit by the worst atrocity it has seen since the Second World War. On Utøya, and in Oslo.

It seems like an eternity.

These have been hours, days and nights filled with shock, despair, anger and weeping.

Today is a day for mourning.

Today, we will allow ourselves to pause.

Remember the dead.

Mourn those who are no longer with us.
92 lives have been lost. Several people are still missing.

Every single death is a tragedy. Together they add up to a national tragedy.

We are still struggling to take in the scale of this tragedy.

Many of us know someone who has lost their life. Even more know of someone.
I knew several.

One of them was Monica. She worked on Utøya for 20 years or so. For many of us she was Utøya.

Now she is dead. Shot and killed while providing care and security for young people from all over the country.

Her husband John and daughters Victoria and Helene are in Drammen Church today.

It is so unfair. I want you to know that we are weeping with you.

Another is Tore Eikeland.

Leader of the Labour Youth League in Hordaland and one of our most talented young politicians.

I remember him being met with acclaim by the whole Labour national congress when he gave a stirring speech against the EU Postal Directive, and won the debate.

Now he is dead. Gone for ever. It is incomprehensible.

These are two of those we have lost.

We have lost many more on Utøya and in the government offices.

We will soon have their names and pictures. Then the full extent of this evil act will become apparent in all its horror.

This will be a new ordeal.

But we will get through this too.

Amidst all this tragedy, I am proud to live in a country that has managed to hold its head up high at a critical time.

I have been impressed by the dignity, compassion and resolve I have met.

We are a small country, but a proud people.


We are still shocked by what has happened, but we will never give up our values.
Our response is more democracy, more openness, and more humanity. But never naivety.

No one has said it better than the Labour Youth League girl who was interviewed by CNN:
‘If one man can create that much hate, just imagine how much love we can create together.’
Finally, I would like to say to the families all over the country who have lost one of their loved ones:

You have my and the whole of Norway’s deepest sympathy for your loss.

Not only that. The whole world shares your sorrow.

I have promised to pass on the condolences of Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Frederik Reinfeldt, Angela Merkel, David Cameron, Dimitry Medvedev and many other heads of state and government.
This cannot make good your loss. Nothing can bring your loved ones back.

But we all need support and comfort when life is at its darkest.

Now life is at its darkest for you.

I want you to know that we are there for you.

Tonight the streets are filled with love.

We have chosen to defy brutality with fellowship.
We have chosen to counter hatred with solidarity.
We have chosen to make it plain what we stand for.
Norway is a nation in mourning. Our thoughts go to all those who have suffered loss, who are grieving.
To all those who have worked so heroically to save lives and re-establish our security. And to our leaders, who have been put to the test these past days.

The acts of terror may have targeted the people on Utøya and in the government buildings, but they have affected us all.
With terrible clarity they have shown us how enormous the consequences of one person’s actions can be.
And at the same time they demonstrate that each individual’s attitudes count, that it matters what we choose to base our lives on. And how we choose to use this to benefit each other and the society in which we live.

After 22 July we can never again allow ourselves to think that our opinions and beliefs don’t matter. We must approach every day ready to battle for the free and open society which we hold so dear.
To our young people: You are our corrective, our courage and our hope. It is you who will shape and determine Norway’s course in years to come. We have none of you to spare. Yet we have lost so many.
No one can take from us the Norway that we want.
Tonight the streets are filled with love.
We have a choice to make. We cannot undo what has been done.
But we can choose what we let it do to us, as a society and as individuals.
We can decide that no one should stand alone.
We can choose to stand together.
It is up to each of us now. It is up to you and it is up to me.
We have a job to do together. It is a job we have to do around the dinner table, in lunchrooms, in our clubs and organisations, a job for all men and women, in all our cities, villages and towns.

We want a Norway:
Where we can live together as a community at liberty to think freely and express our views.
Where differences are perceived as potential.
Where freedom is stronger than fear.

Tonight the streets are filled with love.

Dear all of you,
What a sight!
I am standing face to face with the will of the people.
You are the will of the people.

Thousands and thousands of Norwegians – in Oslo and all over the country – are doing what you are this evening.
Taking over the streets, the squares, the public space, with the same defiant message:
We are broken hearted, but we are not broken.
With torches and roses we are sending a message out to the world:
We will not allow fear to break us.
And we will not allow the fear of fear to silence us.

The sea of people I see in front of me today and the warmth I feel from people all over the country convinces me that I am right.
Norway will pass the test.
Evil can kill individuals, but it can never defeat a people.
This evening the Norwegian people are writing history.
With the strongest weapons in the world – freedom of speech and democracy – we are staking out the course for Norway after 22 July 2011.

There will be a Norway before and a Norway after 22 July.
But it is we who will decide how that Norway will be.
Norway will be recognisable.
Our response has grown in strength through the incomprehensible hours, days and nights we have been through, and it is amplified powerfully this evening:
More openness, more democracy. Resolve and strength.
That is us. That is Norway.
We will take back our security!

Since the attacks in Oslo and on Utøya, we have been united in shock, despair and grief.
And we will continue to be, but it will not only be like this.
Slowly, the first of us will begin to be able to face everyday life again. Others will need more time.
It is important that we respect these differences. All forms of grief are equally normal.

Still we must take care of one another.
Show that we care.
Talk to those who have been hardest hit.
Be fellow human beings.
We who are gathered here have a message to all of you who have lost one of your loved ones:
We are here for you.

We will also look towards Norway after 22 July 2011.
We must be careful not to draw too many or too definite conclusions while we are a nation in mourning, but there are certain things we can promise one another this evening.

Firstly,
Out of all this pain, we can glimpse something valuable that has taken root.
What we see this evening may be the largest and most important march that the Norwegian people have taken part in since the Second World War.
A march for democracy, solidarity and tolerance.

People all over the country are standing shoulder to shoulder at this moment.
We can learn from this. Do more of this.
Each and every one of us can make the fabric of democracy a little stronger. This is what we are seeing here.

Secondly,
I want to say this to all the young people here.
The massacre on Utøya was an attack against young people’s dream of being able to help to make the world a better place.
Their dreams have been brutally crushed.
But your dreams can be fulfilled.
You can keep the spirit of this evening alive. You can make a difference.
Do that!
I have a simple request to make of you.
Get involved. Care.
Join an organisation. Take part in debates.
Use your vote.
Free elections are the jewel in the crown of democracy.
By taking part, you are saying a resounding yes to democracy.

Finally,
I am infinitely grateful to live in a country where, at a critical time, people take to the streets with flowers and candles to protect democracy.
To honour and commemorate those we have lost.
This shows that Nordahl Grieg was right:
‘We are so few in this country; each of the fallen is a brother and friend’.

We will carry this with us as we start to shape Norway after 22 July 2011.
Our fathers and mothers promised us, ‘There will never be another 9 April.’
We say, ‘There will never be another 22 July’.

Consolation, peace, reconciliation, community – these are some of the things we come to mosques, churches and synagogues in search of.

In our despair, in our vulnerability.

Not to find all the answers, but to find consolation. I quote from Sura 113 of the Quran: ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of the Daybreak (...) from the evil of darkness when it is intense’. We find similar words in other holy texts, words that comfort people in this time of darkness.

One minute’s silence. Days of intense pain.
I have come straight from the University Hospital at Ullevål where I met survivors, the seriously injured, young people who will be marked for life. I have also met devastated parents, who will not see their children again.
We will need to stand together for a long time. We are going to need each other for a long time.
We are a deeply affected nation – but we have not been stopped. Norway is up and running. Norway is taking responsibility. Norway is recognisable.

If there was one thing the employees in the ministries hit by the bomb and the young people on Utøya stood for, it was values such as democracy, the rule of law, justice and order. Values that are shared by all good people in this country.
We are standing together across all dividing lines.
At the memorial service in Oslo Cathedral on Sunday, the Prime Minister quoted a Labour Youth League girl from Utøya – words that have been relayed all around the world: ‘If one man can create that much hate, just imagine how much love we can create together.’

This is what the nation is doing now. This is what we are doing here this evening. We are showing love together; we are looking after one another.

We remember – and we look ahead. For this we know: we will move forward and life will go on. As a nation, we will always be marked by 22 July 2011. At the same time, we will not allow time to stand still.
We will go on, take care of each other, and protect our democracy, our open society, human rights and the hopes of young people for a better world.

The most important thing today and in the days ahead is that we take care of those who have the greatest pain – physical and psychological – to bear: those who have lost their loved ones, the injured who are fighting for their lives.

Dear friends,
Twenty or thirty years ago, we did not have congregations such as this. Norway is a country that is changing.
Historians tell us that the only thing that is constant is change. How are we to meet these challenges together? How are we to respond to those who are anxious, those who are afraid, those who express hatred?
I believe that hope is to be found in meeting change together from a secure common starting point.
Norway is a democracy. Norway is a state governed by the rule of law. Norway adheres to and respects universal human rights. But with this as a common platform, we can be different.

In the time ahead, this country is going to see a huge debate on how this tragedy could have happened.
The atrocities that took place in Oslo and on Utøya on 22 July 2011 do not originate from outside Norway. They were carried out by someone who has lived in the midst of us.

We must not be too hasty in looking for all the answers. But we will take the debate and the questions that are raised with us as we seek to understand.

The way we do this will be a test of the democracy and the values we share. This is why I find great consolation in the fact that we are gathering in our various houses of God. This is not my house of God – but I feel at home here.

Yesterday, I met a boy from Arendal, who had swum for his life away from Utøya. I told him that I would be visiting a mosque today, and he said this: ‘We who were swimming away from Utøya were not swimming for any god, we were swimming for life. We were Muslims, Christians, atheists and people with other beliefs. Afterwards we came together and focused on what was most important: life, togetherness and the future that we have together’.

I have drawn strength these days from the Utøya I met on Thursday (21 July). Then the sun was shining on the island: young people were having fun, but were at the same time serious as they looked ahead with a resolve to help shape society.
Utøya was a fine example of Norway in all its diversity. A strong community of values and respect for differences.

Both the Prime Minister and I are able to pass on to all who are grieving a huge wave of warmth from all over the world. I receive telephone calls all day long from colleagues from every corner of the world who weep with me over the phone.

The response to what happened in Norway on 22 July 2011 has moved the whole world. We should take this sympathy and support into our hearts.

This is what we take with us as we meet the debates on Norwegian democracy that we have ahead of us. We will do this together, from a common value base, with deep respect for those we have lost.

Dear all of you,

Today the first two victims of the terrorist attacks are being laid to rest.
One of them is 18-year-old Bano Rashid from Nesodden.
Her family fled from Iraq in 1996.
They found a safe haven in Norway.
Bano did well at school and was planning to study law. She dreamt of a future in Norway’s parliament.
Her dream was shattered by the gunman on the island of Utøya.
I am full of admiration for her parents, Beyan and Mustafa.
This is what Beyan said to the newspaper Aftenposten:
‘The answer is not hatred, but more love.’
Today, her family has said farewell to Bano in a ceremony that was both Norwegian and Kurdish.

The other is 19-year-old Ismail Haji Ahmed from Hamar.
Ismail was an irrepressible performer and an enthusiastic dance instructor.
He inspired a great many people.
And brought joy to even more.

I mourn Bano and Ismail.
They have given the new expanded concept of the Norwegian ‘we’ a face.
We will be one community.
Across religion, ethnicity, gender and rank.

Bano is Norwegian. Ismail is Norwegian. I am Norwegian.
We are Norway. And I am proud of that.

I am also very proud that the Norwegian people have passed the test.
The very heart of our democracy has been attacked.
But this has only strengthened our democracy.
Brought us closer together.

The immediate shock and devastation brought us together.
Later, we came together in protest.
We filled the streets with roses and torches and put a protective arm around democracy.
I am inviting the whole nation to come together as the Norwegian ‘we’.
The newspapers today are showing pictures of an imam and a bishop embracing each other.
This should be a source of inspiration.

We are all Norway.
Our fundamental values are democracy, humanity and openness.
With this as a platform, we will respect differences, human dignity and equality.
And each other.
And we will face the debates. We will welcome them. Even the difficult ones.

We will all expect one another to champion the fundamental values of the Norwegian ‘we’.
This is how we will deepen and develop our response to terrorism and violence.
The answer is even more democracy.
Even more humanity.
But never naivety.

It is up to us to write the next chapters of Norway’s history.
There will be a Norway before and a Norway after 22 July.
We have already staked out the course. Norway will be recognisable.
The rest is up to us.

Standing here on holy ground, it is important to affirm that we respect one another’s beliefs.
Against that backdrop, diversity must be allowed to blossom and to colour the picture of the Norwegian ‘we’.

This is how we will honour the memory of Bano, Ismail and the others who died in the attacks on Utøya and Oslo.

Dear all of you,

There is so little that has not already been said.

The last four weeks have been hard for us all.

But that is also why it is good to be together. My thoughts have been with those of you who were directly affected by the terrorist actions, and those who have lost someone you loved.

As a father, grandfather and husband, I have some feeling of what you are going through, but I can only imagine the depth of your pain.

As the King of this nation, I feel for each and every one of you.

It can take a long time to regain equilibrium after a traumatic experience of this magnitude. It is important to remember that grief takes many forms and there must be room for all of them. Feelings of guilt and anxiety, rage and emptiness.
We will continue to mourn together. But in the midst of our sorrow, I also have a great need to say thank you.

Thank you to all of you who were there in the government buildings and on Utøya, and who have decided that you will not allow these events to break your spirit.

Thank you to all of the helpers – from the police, fire and rescue services, health care institutions, churches and other religious communities, armed forces, civil defence, volunteer organisations – and all of you who just did whatever you could because you needed to. All of you have shown us what loving-kindness and courage mean in practice, when it really counts. Many have helped to save the lives of others – some at risk to their own. And many are still working hard to help the bereaved and offer support to those who need it.

Thank you as well to the Prime Minister, the Government and the government ministries. The Prime Minister has led us steadfastly, and with admirable fortitude, as our national anchor in a time of crisis. At the same time, he and his administration have managed to keep the wheels turning under conditions of extreme duress. Local authorities have responded with compassion and the political parties have demonstrated solidarity – with each other, with the people, and with those directly affected. It is evident to me that everyone has done absolutely everything they could to help.

These past weeks we have seen the funerals of 77 people. We have all had a chance to learn a little bit about each of those who died – through stories in the media and the eulogies given in their memory. We have lost 77 individuals who wanted to use their lives in the best way possible for the society of which they were a part. We will honour their memory by continuing to work to achieve the values that they held so dear.

I would like to repeat today what I said the day after these tragic events took place:
I firmly believe that freedom is stronger than fear.
I firmly believe in an open Norwegian democracy and society.

And I firmly believe that we will uphold our ability to live freely and securely in our own country.
This tragedy has reminded us of the fundamental ties that bind us together in our multicultural, multi-faceted society. Let us keep this understanding foremost in our thoughts – and let us take care of each other. Let us as individuals be clear about what we stand for and take every opportunity we can to influence our society in a positive direction.

Much will still be demanded of us in the weeks and months to come. Those of you who have suffered a loss may find that things grow harder as the outpouring of national grief gradually subsides. As the strong sense of community that we have felt during this time recedes more into the background. That is when we, as fellow human beings, must make an effort to seek out those who are grieving or struggling with their lives. We must stay beside them as the spotlight of world attention fades.

When day-to-day life once again resumes.

As a nation we must take this experience with us in our hearts and in our minds, and we must not lose sight of our renewed awareness of what is really important to us.

Your Majesties,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Ladies and gentlemen
Dear all of you,

Today we are stopping the clock to remember the dead.
We are doing so as one nation.
Together we lost what we could not, and should not, lose.
77 lives.
Together we defeated hatred.
Together we are embracing openness, tolerance and fellowship.

We have cried together with you who were forced to say a last goodbye at the graveside.
We commiserate with those of you who cannot forget the images, the sounds and the smells of that black Friday.

We have thanked those of you who saved lives.
Those of you who have mitigated the pain.

Every candle has warmed.
Every thought has comforted.
Every rose has given hope.

We are a small country. But a proud people.

Together we have many questions.
Together we are looking for honest answers.
Not to blame other people than the perpetrator.
But to know.
To learn.
To proceed.

In respect for those who were torn away we must look ahead.
It also means parting.
In everyday life differences and disagreements await us.
Variety and diversity.
We welcome that.

We must address three tasks in the spirit of solidarity we experienced in connection with 22 July.

The first is that we must see those of you who have only just begun to walk the path of grief.

It is difficult for us to fully grasp the depth of the grief of losing a loved one in such a way.

The empty chair at Sunday dinner.
The birthday without the birthday child.
The first Christmas.

You can help.
Bake a cake, invite someone in for coffee. Go for a walk together.
Kindness is our greatest asset.

The second task is to be alert to any signs of extremism.
We must learn from the young.
We must counter hatred with arguments.

We must invite in those who have gone astray.
We must oppose those who want to use violence.
We must meet them with all the arms of democracy.
We must meet them everywhere.

Our third task is to create safety and security.
Good preparedness creates security.
Police in the streets creates security.
Controls. Exercises. Equipment.

We must do all of this.
But we need something even more important.
We need you.

No matter where you live.
No matter what god you worship.

Each and every one of us can take responsibility.
Each and every one of us can guard our freedom.

Together we make an unbreakable chain of solidarity, democracy, safety and security.

That is our protection against violence.

Your Majesties, dear all of you,

Those of us who work in the government building complex as well as those of you who were on Utøya this summer have based the important decisions in our lives on democratic values.

We chose the government building complex as our workplace. You chose to devote the years of your youth to political work. Until now, we have been able to work without fear for our safety.

Then we were attacked.

I am still afraid when I open the door to my office. I keep the blinds down so that I don’t have to see the damaged buildings across the street, and I don’t have to think about what I saw in the area outside it.

As ministry employees, our primary task is to ensure that the policies the governments go to elections with are expediently implemented. We are not politicians. We work for the government elected by the people.
All the young people who participate in political youth organisations are preparing to one day take political responsibility for running our country – and as such, also responsibility for managing the ministries that are our workplaces.

I have had the pleasure of working for several great ministers who started their political careers when they were young.
The work of the ministries is absolutely vital to the democracy that the young people on Utøya sacrificed their lives for. We grieve the loss of great colleagues, and feel for those who were seriously injured. We grieve for the young people.

Today, I feel proud to stand here and be able to tell you that all the ministries were in full operation throughout the crisis. Bureaucracy flexed its muscle in this grave situation. Every single employee and all the systems that have been developed to safeguard democracy passed the most difficult test Norway has faced in peacetime.
We did not crumble in the face of terrorism. We will never let that happen.

Our administration is founded on proud values: democracy, equality and due process are its cornerstones.
They will remain so in the important time that lies ahead. We will rebuild our broken offices. We will feel safe when we go to work. We will continue to work to protect and strengthen the public administration, for the benefit of democracy and everyone in Norway.

Your Majesties,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Dear all,

In the hours and days that followed the events of 22 July, we were one nation.
United –
First in shock and despair.
Then in an unyielding determination to defend the humanity and diversity that are the hallmark of our way of life –
The openness and trust that characterise our society.
We are gathered here today, one year later, in the knowledge that we can truly pull together when we have to.
The perpetrator took many lives.
Causing great suffering.
The bombs and bullets were intended to change Norway.
The Norwegian people responded by reasserting our values.
The perpetrator failed to achieve what he set out to do.
The people triumphed.

We are here today to honour the memory of the 77 people who were killed.
Eight of them here in the government building complex.
Those who died on 22 July last year did not seek danger.
On the contrary.
They were living the way we wish to live in Norway.
Some were walking along the street.
Others were at work.
Many were attending a youth summer camp.
Death struck brutally and without warning.
For a year now, children have mourned at the grave of a mother or father.
Fathers and mothers have wept by the empty bed of a beloved son or daughter.
And thousands of others – siblings, grandparents, friends and colleagues – have felt loss and despair.
It has truly been a difficult year.

The tragedy has dominated the public debate every day since it happened.
Not least regarding what went right and what went wrong.
This is a necessary and important debate.
In order to learn.
And prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

Today it is important for us to remind each other that love is eternal:
Life’s flame has been extinguished.
And the pain will always be there.
But no one can take the warm memories away from you.
A father’s reassuring hand.
The sounds from a child’s playroom.
Goodness and joy cannot be erased.
22 July will always be associated with those who lost their lives.
We will remember our loved ones who died with gratitude.
And we will be there for those of you who were injured.
Those of you who suffered both visible and invisible wounds.

We have not forgotten the promise we made each other a year ago.
We will see those of you who are struggling, both in our immediate circle and beyond.
Who are having difficulty coping with everyday life.
Who are still grieving.
We will not forget you when the long days of summer give way to autumn darkness.
It could be a neighbour, a colleague or a classmate.
Reach out.
Show that you care.
A chat about everyday things could help someone regain their will to live.

The past year has taught us how precious life is.
And how fragile.
Suddenly it is over.
Then it is too late.
We must be grateful for all the good times we have.
The trips we make.
The meals we share.

The talks and the silence.
Let us promise each other today that we will honour the dead by celebrating life.

Your Majesties.
Dear all bereaved, friends and relatives and all of you whose lives have been impacted.
Dear friends.

Only one year has gone by, but it feels so long. An entire year has gone by, but it feels so short.
On 22 July last year, the bomb that started the nightmare exploded. Eight people were killed. They were our cherished family members, friends and colleagues.

A lot has been said about Utøya, and about AUF. Not so much has been said about the eight people who were torn away from us in the heart of Oslo. Some of them were bureaucrats. Those people who so often are talked of as ‘faceless’ were given a face.

Faces we so dearly wish we had got to know under different circumstances. They were the cogs of democracy and made an invaluable contribution to our country.

Everyone who perished at the Government Quarter died far too early.

Today we think of them with sorrow, but also with pride in what they managed to achieve.

As the bomb went off in Oslo, 600 AUF members were gathered for summer camp on Utøya. Keen. Smiling. Wet with rain. Happy and hopeful.

Today, 69 of you are missing. One year ago, you were there. Right next to us. You hugged us. Laughed with us. Now you are gone. Today we remember all the good you were, all the good you represented. I want you to know that we miss you. And that we will always remember you.

Today is also a day for giving thanks.

Thank you, Prime Minister and the political community in Norway, for bringing us together.

Your Majesties, through tears and embraces you have shown the entire country the way of compassion.

Thank you to the Church and other religious communities where many could find peace and comfort.

Thank you to the people in the emergency services.
To the local community around Utøya. To the boat owners, who became everything to us. To everyone who has shown care.

Dear friends.
When our open and safe Norway was put to the test, we stood up for our country. We have been through confusion and despair, but we have not crumbled.

The perpetrator chose his deadly arms and robbed many of their future. The people chose other arms. Words, the rule of law and democracy. The past year has shown us what is strongest.
We must still defend all that we believe in. For our own part, yet also to honour those who had to pay with their lives.

Today we will mourn and remember them.

Tomorrow, a new day starts. We have to move forward. Not without grief. Not without pain.
But we will make it together.

Your Royal Highness,
dear friends,

It’s so good to see all of you.
One year later we are again filling the streets,
demonstrating our faith in each other and our open society.
We had a choice.
We could have retreated into our homes in fear.
And barricaded ourselves behind a wall of mistrust.
Instead we turned to each other and built bridges of trust.
That was our spontaneous response to the violence last summer.
We made the right choice.
There is no better protection against terrorism than openness, democracy and humanity.
They do not make us invulnerable.
We need a police force and surveillance systems.
The equipment, determination and will to stop those who would resort to violence.

But it is the way the Norwegian people have responded to the atrocities during the past year that matters most:
There is greater confidence among us, and greater faith in democracy.
Thousands have joined voluntary organisations and political parties.
And more people are responding to hate speech with counterarguments.
Hundreds of thousands have realised the power of pulling together, of reasserting our values.
In this way we have created more democracy and more openness.

Today it is time to thank all those who have helped during this difficult year.
His Majesty the King, who wept together with his people.
The whole Royal Family, who were truly there when we needed them most.

It is time to thank the volunteers.
The rescue workers and the emergency services.
All the young people who have taken care of each other.
Employees in the ministries.
All of you who have dealt with the trial with dignity and calm.
And there are countless more:
teachers,
health personnel,
priests,
imams,
All of you who have supported a neighbour, colleague, friend or relative.
When we consider the sum of our collective effort, we can look ahead to the future with hope and faith.
Hope that those who are still struggling will find comfort.
Faith in the power of community, tolerance and decency.

We have been honouring the memory of the 77 people who lost their lives all day throughout the country.
This has been a day of sadness, but also a good day.
Good because we have promised to keep their dreams alive.
And to tell the happy stories.
22 July will be your day in all the years to come.
A day to honour the memory of those who died.
And a day to reflect on the fragility of life.

The terrible events last summer brought home to us the transience of life.
It can suddenly be over.
None of us knows when.
None of us knows who.
We must show love and compassion while we have the gift of life.
Enjoy the beauty of a rose.
The subtle nuances of music.
The warmth of friends.

Let us honour the dead by celebrating life.

Dear all,

22 July is a day for remembering and commemorating.

We remember the victims and we pay tribute to our fundamental values of diversity and unity.

On 22 July two years ago, 77 people were killed.
Eight of them here at the Government Quarter.
Those of you who were hurt are in our thoughts.
As well as all friends and relatives.

As a nation, we will always share your pain.

The acts of violence on 22 July attacked our sense of security in Norway.
The goal of terrorism is to spread fear through violence.
Our united answer was simple and unequivocal:
We will not accept this.
We wish to live our way, safe and free of fear.

That is why, every day since Norway was struck by terrorism, we have worked systematically to improve our response.
We have evaluated, learned and taken action.
The emergency services and chain of command routines that failed on 22 July have been reinforced.
We have strengthened the intelligence service and acquired more helicopters and more police.
And we carry out more drills.
Drills in the government. Drills in the police.
As a nation, we have sharpened our mental response.

All this contributes to increased security, but it is not enough.
Equally important is standing firm in defending our values that were attacked on 22 July, 2011.
Humanity, diversity, solidarity – our open and trusting communities.

We see it in Norway and in the countries around us.
Hate speech is spreading.
Jews, Muslims and homosexuals – "the others" – are threatened.
In Europe, right-wing populist parties are on the rise,
while at the same time Islamist extremists declare their threats.

We must stand up against this!
No extremism, regardless of one’s colour or creed, has the right to rise above the law.
No extremist will be allowed to deter us from the path from free movement, free thought and free speech.

And that is why my answer on 22 July 2011 was, without reservation:
“We must never renounce our values in the face of terrorism.
The best answer to violence is more openness; more democracy – but we must never be naïve.”
And that remains my answer.
Our values are our strongest protection against violence and terror.

New helicopters, more police and physical barriers are important counter-terrorism measures.
But they can never make us invulnerable.
A 100 percent safe country would have to be closed, blocked and shut.
And that is something Norway will never be.
On the contrary.

Norway must be an open democracy
where everyone can express themselves without fear.
And that means that everyone must take responsibility.

We must distance ourselves from all hateful ideologies and all forms of extremism.
We must refrain from spreading xenophobia and distrust.
And we must dare to invite new groups into the Norwegian community.
Also those we don’t already know.
Norwegian solidarity has room for everyone.

This is how we will commemorate the victims of the 22 July violence.
This is how we will honour those who died.

Dear all of you,

Three years ago today, 77 people were killed.
Eight of them here in the government building complex, 69 on Utøya.
22 July is a day that has been etched into our memories forever.
Today is a day to remember, to grieve and to commemorate.

Three years have passed since terrorism struck.
The grief and loss are still overwhelming for those who lost a loved one.
For those who survived the terror attack at the government building complex or on Utøya, the memories and feelings are still intense.

Those who risked their lives to save others may be struggling to go on with life as before.
Many still need help and follow-up.

22 July tested us. We responded with solidarity. We responded by looking after each other.
Solidarity is just as important today – three years later.

I would like to thank Jens Stoltenberg for the leadership he showed as prime minister during the crisis.
Dear Jens, you showed us the way in the difficult time after 22 July.
It was incredibly important for all of us. And that will never fade.

We can never change what happened on 22 July 2011.
However, as a society we need to work on becoming better equipped to deal with such unthinkable events.

The tragedy showed us that we needed to strengthen the emergency response in Norway.
Better intelligence, more police and a stronger emergency response culture is vital to countering and limiting our vulnerability.
But we cannot protect ourselves from all threats by means of emergency response measures.
The most important step we can take to counter radicalisation and violent extremism is to safeguard and promote the most important strengths of our society.
Of which, our greatest strength is the trust we have in each other in Norway.
It is essential for ensuring that Norway will be an open and inclusive society in the future as well.
This trust is built and developed in all of our smaller communities.
At kindergartens, at schools, on sports teams.

Responsibility for the tragedy of 22 July lies solely with the perpetrator.
There is never an excuse for violent extremism.
But we need to do everything we can to prevent it.
We also have a responsibility to see more of those who feel they are invisible.
We must help to create positive opportunities and include everyone in the community.
It’s important for the individual. And it’s important for society.

The memory of 22 July requires a commitment from us all.
We must continue to stand up for our fundamental values.
We must fight for openness, tolerance and diversity.
We must work every single day to defend, strengthen and promote Norway’s democracy.
And we must be there for each other. We must be compassionate.
That is how we will honour those who died.

22 July 2011 will always be a dark day in Norway’s history.

The day disaster struck. The day Utøya and the government building complex in Oslo were the scene of cruel and atrocious acts.

The day 77 innocent lives were brutally cut short.

Youths and adults. Family members who never came home.

Children and grandchildren. Parents, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, partners and sweethearts. Relatives, friends, neighbours and colleagues.

Today, four years after that terrible day, we stand together with you who have lost what was most precious to you. We remember with love those who were killed.

We will not forget.

Seventy-seven lives were torn away. Even more were turned upside down. The families, the close and dear friends, who are living with the loss of loved ones. The injured, the survivors, who are struggling to regain a sense of normality.

The grief will always be there. The events of 22 July inflicted wounds that will never heal.

I cannot pretend to know what you are going through. Only someone who has lost a son or a daughter, a sister or a brother, can really understand how painful this is. But we are trying to understand, and to be kind, respectful, compassionate.

The response to the events of 22 July demonstrated the strong bonds we have as a nation. We stood up together for the values that are so important to us: democracy and freedom, openness and tolerance, solidarity and trust.

Protecting the values our society is built on requires a concerted effort by us all.

We see young people in Norway being drawn towards extremism. Some choose to travel abroad to be foreign fighters.

If we are to prevent radicalisation and put an end to prejudice, hatred and intolerance, we have to galvanise everyone into action – local communities, groups of friends, colleagues, family members.

The most important thing we can do is to make it clear to everyone that our common values are the way to a better society – a society where there is room for everyone.

We must think about what we say and what we do. We must confront hate rhetoric and extremism.

We can all make a difference.

The attacks on 22 July were attacks on democracy, on a political movement, on freedom of expression.

This year, terrorism has struck Europe again. Freedom of expression was under attack in Copenhagen and Paris. And this week, youths in Turkey were targeted.

More innocent lives were torn away.

Today the 22 July Centre is opening to the public. It gives an honest account of what happened on 22 July. In a room dedicated to those who lost their lives, we can go to honour their memory.

A key aim of the 22 July Centre is to increase awareness and prevent hatred, violence and terrorism.

It will promote values that are important to us: democracy and openness. And it will help us to better understand how hatred, violence and terrorism can be overcome.

We owe this to the 77 innocent youths and adults who were killed in such a meaningless way on that terrible day four years ago.

Five years have passed.

It is five years since the acts of terror took place here in the Government Quarter and on Utøya.

Five years since 77 people were killed.

Five years since the summer day that became one of the darkest days in Norwegian history.

Five years can be counted on one hand.

For a small boy or girl who turns five, it feels like an ocean of time.

For those of you who lost a son or a daughter, a sister or brother, a mother or father, a friend, loved one or colleague – five years feels like it could have been yesterday.

We still see the scars of the terror attacks.

The physical traces.

The Government Quarter has been changed for good.

Utøya is being rebuilt.

But the biggest mark is left on us as human beings.

In the longing for those we loved so much.

How we miss the conversations around the dinner table, the small everyday quarrels about all and nothing. That knowing smile. That comforting embrace.

The loss will always be felt. The void. The suffering.

Time does not heal all wounds. It might ease the pain.

But no more than that.

For what are five years when we lose that which is most precious to us?

After five years, many still need someone to talk to.

About the loss. The grief. The memories.

Sharing thoughts. Ups and downs.

I know that several feel an expectation from those around them that by now everything should have returned to normal.

The threshold for asking for help can feel higher.

That's not how it should be.

We all have a duty to help lower that threshold.

It is okay to ask for help. It is okay to have rough days.

And we will be there for you.

The world around us is troubled.

Terror attacks strike more frequently.

Only one week ago, innocent people were murdered in Nice.

Thousands of children and adults were gathered to celebrate the French National Day.

It was supposed to be a festive day – a day where freedom and democracy should prevail.

But it ended in tragedy.

Sadly, the list is long. Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, Beirut, Baghdad, Nairobi and Orlando have also been struck by acts of terror in the past year.

To name just a few.

Many of you know what that is like.

To stand in the middle of it.

Today, our thoughts also go out to those who were struck by these and other attacks.

The terrorists may have differing ideologies.

Yet they still share a common language.

A language of hatred and violence.

They promote values that build on contempt and distrust.

Contempt for democracy.

Distrust of the word.

Weapons and violence are their primary tools.

Terror can only be defeated if we can provide a world that is better than the one the terrorists desire.

We must be able to instil hope in our young no matter where in the world they grow up.

Hope and belonging.

We have come a few steps further since 22. July 2011.

Last year, the 22 July Centre opened in the high-rise building.

This year, the Center for Research on Extremism was founded.

And a brand-new learning centre has now been established on Utøya.

We need these centres –

to convey what happened on that dark July day five years ago.

To better understand extremist communities.

To learn about democracy.

Knowledge is the key – to understanding, and to a healthy mindset.

Even more important are the things that are going on in our local communities, in our classrooms, in our homes.

Where attitudes are established and cultivated.

We should think about how we talk to each other. And about each other.

We will promote that which unites.

Terrorists and extremists cultivate that which divides.

They want to create fear and unrest.

They aim to destroy the sense of community we have in our society.

They wish to set groups against each other.

Them against us; the majority against the minority.

Norway is an open society where we have trust in one another.

We will protect that openness and that trust.

Those are core values that are part of why we love this country so much.

Why this is a good place to reside and live our lives.

Yet 22 July has taught us something important:

That extremism can emerge in any society.

We will stand together for a Norway characterized by freedom and diversity.

A Norway where not fear, but our courage and ideas prevail.

We owe it to those we lost.

Five years ago. Today.

Dear all of you,

Six years ago, we received the messages: Explosion in Oslo city centre, Shooting on Utøya.
For us, 22 July is a date that will always be associated with fear, despair and grief.
Seventy-seven people were brutally killed. Eight of them here in the government building complex, 69 on Utøya.

This is a day when we remember those who died. A day to grieve. A day to honour all those who helped save lives that day.

What is six years?
Many who lost a family member, a friend, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a colleague – remember those terrible events as if they were yesterday.
For others, six years are an eternity.
For some, time has passed quickly.
For others, time has stood still.

In a month’s time, thousands of children, who were not born when the terrorism struck, will start school.
In a few years’ time, the generations growing up will have no personal memories of what happened. They will have to learn about the terrorist attack like we learn about other historical events.

This is why it will be even more important in the future to share information about what happened.

For me, 22 July is an important reminder of the day our values were tested. Of the day we were reminded of what we must defend and fight for: Trust. Openness. Diversity.

Europe has been hit by grave and terrifying terrorist attacks in recent years.

It has been only a week since the names of the 86 victims of last year’s terrorist attack in Nice were read out at a memorial, like the one we are holding here today.

It is a reminder that the grief we feel today is also being felt by many others out there.
More people are now saying that ‘Terrorism is closing in’. But terrorism has never been closer than here, where we’re standing now. Here – and on Utøya – terrorism hit us.

The attacks on 22 July 2011 show that democracy cannot be taken for granted.
Anti-democratic forces are recruiting young people.
We must fight back. With knowledge, attitudes and values.

One of the causes of radicalisation is a feeling of isolation. Our answer is to teach children and young people about diversity, tolerance and equality – and to encourage them to become active participants in democracy. This is how we will counteract extremist attitudes leading to violence.
At the 22 July Centre here in the government building complex, pupils discuss the terror attack, extremism and democratic co-citizenship every day.

They are not given set answers, instead they are given the opportunity to ask questions.
They reflect on causes of terrorism and its consequences. They discuss how they personally can make a difference.
At the Learning Centre that has been built on Utøya, 22 July is also a starting point for reflection, discussion and dialogue. Through learning, we remember.

We will make sure we have worthy memorials, both on Utøya quay and in the government building complex. I would like to thank the support group and the AUF for their constructive feedback on this difficult matter.

Building memorials is necessary. For all of us. 22 July and all of the victims will not be forgotten.

Those of you who lost a loved one have to endure a grief that is almost incomprehensible. I would like to thank you for the way you have been there for each other. At the same time, I would like you to know that we are also here for you.

Time does not heal all wounds. But time can make the wounds less painful.

Some people also feel that the passing years create a greater distance. Distance between those who were hit the hardest, and those who found it easier to move on.

That is why, six years later, it is important that we listen.

To those who were there, who experienced the terror and its consequences. To those who lost their loved ones.

The memory of 22 July calls on us to take responsibility.

Responsibility to protect the values that were attacked.

Responsibility to stand up to prejudice and hatred.

And a responsibility to defend, strengthen and promote democracy.

We will take that responsibility. In memory of those who lost their lives.

Dear all of you,
Survivors, bereaved families, everyone who was severely affected.
On 22 July, seven years ago, our democracy was attacked.
Innocent people were killed in an attempt to harm the openness, diversity and trust that characterises the Norwegian society.

Eight people were killed here in the government building complex, 69 on Utøya.
It was the worst attack in Norway since the Second World War.
It was an attack on AUF and youths at summer camp.
It was an attack on the freedom to engage in politics.

Studies by the support group show that the terror attack are still affecting both the survivors and the bereaved.
Seven years sounds like a long time.
But many people’s everyday lives are still marked by 22 July.

This spring, people flocked to cinemas to see Erik Poppe’s film about Utøya. And more films are being made.
We are thus reminded of what happened that terrible Friday in 2011.
It is painful, but it is important.
It is important because it reminds us that our finest asset – democracy – cannot be taken for granted.
It is something that we must defend every single day.

I want to live in a society that takes freedom of speech seriously.
And it is taken seriously in Norway.

There should be room for different opinions in public discourse.
However, we see an increasing amount of polarisation and fake news, which can threaten democracy.

We know today that the right-wing extremist terrorist lived in an echo chamber where like-minded people shared his conspiratorial worldview.

A worldview marked by xenophobia.
And the idea that there is an ‘us’ and a ‘them’ in this country.

Today, we see the same conspiracy theories in comments sections.
The hatred lives on.
The hatred that was used to legitimise the bomb at the government building complex. And the massacre on Utøya.

A number of people have recently told us about what they are subjected to.
The survivors are harassed, hated and threatened.
It makes a big impression..
And it is completely unacceptable.

Many of the people who survived were struck by the terrorist’s bullets.
Now they are also being struck by words.
Whose purpose is to bring them to silence.
Threaten their freedom to participate and contribute.
Those who are subject to abuse and hatred must know that we all stand behind them.
Know that we want them to contribute.
That we want to hear their voices.


The Deputy Mayor of Oslo Khamshajiny Gunaratnam encourages us to look inside ourselves.
To defend our friends when they are subjected to hateful comments.
To look around and notice children and youths who are not happy.
She said that apathy is our worst enemy.
We must care.
This is a challenge that I accept and fully support.

In memory of those we lost, we must enable new generations to discuss the causes of terrorism. To exchange views openly and safely.

Today, many pupils do not have personal memories of 22 July. They will learn about the terror like they learn about other historical events.

At Hegnhuset on Utøya and at the 22 July Centre here in the government building complex, young people can learn the stories of 22 July through exhibitions and witness accounts. We are thus building an axis of remembrance and learning from the government building complex to Utøya.

22 July is an important part of our history.
If we are to succeed in fighting exclusion, marginalisation and radicalisation, we must understand what happened, who was targeted – and why.
Today, we shall unveil a temporary memorial site in memory of the 77 people who were killed. Behind every name, there is an ocean of loss.

In the years to come, the government building complex will be rebuilt.
We will keep talking about 22 July.
Where the extremist attacked beliefs with violence,
we will keep democracy alive.

A democracy that fights hatred, stigmatisation and extremism. Where lies and conspiracies are countered with arguments. Where people with opposing views express themselves with words, and not with violence.

We don’t have to agree on everything.
People can agree to disagree in a healthy democracy.
Where we can believe what we want.
Where no one has to fear for their safety because of their views and because of their engagement.

This is what we will fight for – together.
This is how we will honour those we lost. And those who were left behind.

Dear all of you,
Survivors, bereaved families, and all those who were severely affected.
What does it mean to not forget?
What do we mean when we say ‘there will never be another July 22’?

22 July means different things for different people.
And we associate different things with how we define remembrance.
The story of 22 July has yet to be fully told.
Because what is a memory for one generation, is history for the next.
For a 16-year-old, 22 July was half a lifetime ago.
We will ensure that new generations gain a sense of ownership to the history that marks their age.

A memorial and learning axis has been built from Hegnhuset Memorial and Learning Centre to the 22 July Centre at the government building complex.
Pupils from across Norway are invited to come here.
To learn the stories of the 77 lives that were lived. Of survival and of loss.
To reflect, discuss and talk about what the terror attack means now and in the future.

Eight years after the terror attack, 22 July 2011 is still very much a part of public dialogue.
And polarisation and fake news are a part of our new media reality.
When the next generation undertakes to manage this difficult story,
they must be aware of history and critical of the sources.
They must recognise conspiracy theories and react to anti-democratic attitudes.

Because the terrorist’s violence did not arise in a vacuum.
The ideology that motivated terrorism here and on Utøya
still has to be countered.
That hatred was not blind and unmotivated.
In the extremist mind of the terrorist, the government building complex was a legitimate target.
The engagement, ideology and solidarity of the AUF were a threat to his worldview and his idea of what Norway should be.

The attack on two mosques in New Zealand in March this year,
the attack on the churches in Sri Lanka, are terrible reminders
that the terrorist’s ideology and the idea of an ‘us and them’ are shared by many.
One of the lessons from 22 July must be to protect a Norway in which diversity is a strength, and tolerance is a value we are willing to fight for.

This spring, the police opened several cases after uncovering hateful statements and threats against AUF members.
That is good.

It is hard to understand that the AUF members who survived the nightmare on Utøya are still receiving death threats.
But we know that it is happening, and
it is totally unacceptable.

Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our democracy.
We must tolerate debate, confrontation and disagreement.
But no one should have to tolerate hatred, threats or insults.
Statements that are meant to scare people to silence,
threaten democracy.
Participation should not be dangerous.
We will continue to fight back.
Fight against hatred, abuse and stigmatisation.

The government building complex will be rebuilt in the coming years.
This is important for our country.
We say: Democracy was attacked.
But it was not defeated.
We are preserving traces of 22 July in the government building complex and on Utøya.
Because we cannot hide it away
and we must not forget.

When a united society rises again after this terror,
we will remember all of you,
who at every milestone and commemoration day live with loss and grief,
for those who are no longer with us.
Eight people were killed here in the government building complex.
69 at the AUF summer camp on Utøya.
A targeted attack –
77 innocent human lives.

The terrorist wanted to strike the heart of democracy:
People who were working for the government,
politically active children and youths at summer camp.
Future politicians.

Today, there is time for grief and reflection.
Every day we will fight for the values that were attacked.

That is the promise that we make.
To those we lost –
And to those left behind.

Dear all,

Survivors, bereaved, all of you whose lives have been severely impacted.

Commemorating this day is always difficult.

Words help us somewhat along the way.

We say “democracy”, because the symbol of democracy was attacked.

We talk about love, because those we loved were shot and killed.

We piece together the letters for “community” because there was an attempt to rip and blast our community to shreds.

And we repeat our words of “never again” – to remind ourselves of the promise we made: That we will fight every day for the values the terrorist aimed to tear down.

But even the biggest words can feel small sometimes.

The feeling of loss for those who were murdered is profound.

The grief has no end.

Even openness carries a void no words can fill.

22 July reminds us that lives are in danger when hatred is left unchallenged.

We know that hate speech, conspiracies and xenophobia exists in Norwegian society.

That makes the words we use especially important.

Last year, a teenage girl in Bærum was murdered by her step-brother – a right-wing terrorist who attacked the Al-Noor mosque and tried to kill several people.

Like 22 July this shows us what can happen when only one single man allows himself to be dominated by words like treason and treachery.

Nine years ago, the terror attack took 77 innocent lives.

A bomb exploded here in the Government Quarter.

AUF youth were attacked on Utøya.

It was our community and freedom that were attacked on that dark July day in 2011.

We must do what we can to prevent history from repeating itself.

That means we have to talk about the attacks.

Engage in discussions. Engage in debates.

Because democracy does not prevail unless we fight for it.

We know that the goal of terrorism is to spread fear,

which is something the residents of Christchurch, Paris and London, among others, have also experienced.

Like the people in Mumbai, Orlando and Stockholm, we know that terror polarizes and reinforces differences.

To that I will say: Not here.

The evil of terrorists will never silence us.

Never threaten our freedom.

For our answer is that we do not let ourselves be cowed.

Our answer is that we will fight together.

Our answer is that we will stand firm in defending our community and our democracy from any attempt to divide us.

In the face of evil, let that be our message.

Going forward, let that be our mission.

In that way we will honour those who lost their lives on 22 July.

And in that way, we will honour those who remain.

Your Royal Highnesses,
survivors, all those of you who lost loved ones, all those of you whose lives have been strongly impacted,
Dear all,

Unfortunately, time does not heal all wounds.
The 77 people who were brutally killed are still gone.
Ten years later, it is still OK to feel despair.
Ten years later, it is still OK to miss them.
And it is OK to feel angry.
Many people still struggle on a daily basis.

This worries me.
We also know that many of the survivors from Utøya are subjected to witch-hunts and threats. This is completely unacceptable. And it is painful to hear that it is happening.

It shows how important it is that we take the fight against hate speech, racism and extremism seriously.
We cannot allow hatred to go unchallenged.
The terrorist attacks showed us the importance of strengthening contingency in Norway. This is something we have worked on systematically.

In the ten years that have passed, we have followed up on all of the recommendations from the 22 July Commission.
Norway’s ability to deal with terrorism and serious crime is now stronger than ever.
But we can never claim to have finished the job.
We need to constantly develop our contingency.
At the same time, new equipment and more police officers are also not enough to protect us from every danger and threat.

The most important contingency is one that needs to be developed in each and every one of us.
Through stronger safeguards against intolerance and hate speech, through empathy and tolerance.

For many years, we have therefore worked purposefully to counteract radicalisation and violent extremism.
To prevent racism and hate crime.

This is an effort that all of society can contribute to.
We can all take responsibility for speaking up about extremist attitudes and hate speech.

This might be at school, at work, around the dinner table or in our social circle.
It’s not always easy to speak up when someone oversteps the mark.
But it’s important that we do so.
Speaking up against extremist attitudes and hate speech is different to disagreeing.

In a democracy, opinions need to be challenged.
We disagree. And then we find solutions.
In a democracy, we need to live side by side as a community even when we do not agree.
This is something we will notice in the weeks leading up to the parliamentary elections in September.
But to threaten those whose opinions differ to your own, to work to silence them and to stop engaging - that’s not democracy.

We must never accept anyone resorting to violence to stop those with differing opinions.
The terrorist attack on 22 July was an attack on our democracy.
It was a politically motivated act of terrorism aimed at the Labour Party, the Workers’ Youth League and their ideals.
But the impact was wider than one political movement.
An entire country was knocked to the ground. But we rose again.

But Norway was changed by an experience that is still painful.
I would like to express thanks to all of those who helped save lives that day. Both here in the Government Quarter and on Utøya.
Thanks to all those whose heroic and crucial efforts were made when it mattered the most.
And thanks to all those who have recently taken us back to the painful times and given us honest and direct descriptions of the pain that has been inflicted by right-wing extremist violence.

It is painful to think back to that dark July day ten years ago.
Today, we grieve together.
Today, we remember the 77 who never came home.
Every day, they will remind us how important it is to fight for the trust, transparency and diversity we have in Norway.
That is a fight that will never end.

Survivors and family members
Prime Minister,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Ten years have passed since the day darkness fell on Norway. Shock, grief and anger swept over us all. Shock that this could happen here in our country. Grief over the lives lost and destroyed. Anger at the forces behind the actions.

Everyone in Norway mourned together – for a time. But gradually, those who had suffered the greatest blow were once again left to bear their sorrows alone.

Grief and anger both still resonate in our country. Throughout Norway, from north to south, there are mothers and fathers who hold a teenage child in their hearts forever. Siblings who will always be lacking a brother or a sister. People missing a mother or father, a sweetheart, a friend or a colleague.

Ten years have passed since darkness fell on Norway. But many people are bringing back the light.

I marvel at the stuff many of those who survived that day are made of. So many of them are committed to working together with young people across our entire country to make Norway a good place to live for everyone.

They show us that light wins over darkness. People who lost so much – both in the Government Office Complex and on Utøya – have managed slowly but surely to find meaning and joy in life once again, in spite of it all. They demonstrate the unknown reserves of strength inside each and every one of us. And the memories of all those whom we have lost continue to shine brightly.

Certain dates become cemented as part of the national narrative that defines us. These are days that, in different ways, have made us who we are. Which is why it is essential to learn about them and to learn from them.

As a nation, we have a shared duty to teach new generations what we have learned from 22 July. We owe it to all those who were killed, to their families, to everyone whose lives were directly affected – and to ourselves. To make us better people, a wiser nation, and to create a better Norway for those who come after us.

On 22 July 2011, two politically motivated terrorist attacks were directed at the government, the Labour Party and the Workers’ Youth League (AUF). But these attacks hit much deeper and wider. They affected all of us because they attacked what we have built up together over generations:

A government by the people where each of us is safe to work for what we believe in – and not risk being killed for our beliefs.Our country is built on the premise that all people are of equal value. It is built on freedom of expression. It is built on our ability to acknowledge differences of opinion and seek solutions through compromise.

The foundation of our country did not change after 22 July 2011. Norway remains firmly planted in the same bedrock.

But the lessons we must learn from that day, and which have cost us dearly, must be:
We must stand up for equality and human rights.
We must respect our differences.
We must fight for what we believe in – using peaceful means.

It is my hope that we can help each other incorporate the learning from 22 July into everything we do, everything that we are, every single day.

At the same time, we must acknowledge that we as a society have not done nearly enough to understand, to help, to carry the burden together – and to counter the forces of darkness.
That makes me very sad.

Still, I have a lot of faith in the Norwegian people, for we have proven time and again, in so many difficult situations, how much we can achieve when we stand united in protecting our fundamental values. Which is why I repeat today what I said 10 years ago:

I firmly believe that freedom is stronger than fear.
I firmly believe in an open Norwegian democracy and society.
I firmly believe that we will uphold our ability to live freely and securely in our own country.

And today – 10 years on, I would like to add the following:

I know that time does not heal all wounds.
I mourn all the lives that were lost, and I grieve alongside all those who were injured.
At the same time we should truly be thankful for the many people who are working to build an inclusive society for us all.

Even as we mark the 10th anniversary of one of the darkest days in our history, all the people bringing back the light fill us with hope.

Kjære alle sammen.
Det er fint å møtes i dag, samle oss i sorgen, hedre de som døde og vise omtanke og omsorg for dere som er etterlatte, overlevende og berørte. Det må alltid være det viktigste tema 22. juli; å stille opp for hverandre.

22. juli-terroren var et målrettet angrep mot AUF og Arbeiderpartiet. Bomben i regjeringskvartalet rammet tilfeldige forbipasserende og dyktige ansatte på jobb for demokratiet.

Mennesker i vårt embetsverk som hver dag bidrar til å holde hjulene i gang i landet vårt. Skytingen på Utøya rammet ungdommer på sommerleir, som var med i AUF for å påvirke demokratiet vårt og gjøre verden til et bedre sted.

11 år senere - sorgen preger oss fortsatt. Jeg vil at dere skal vite, at vi tenker på dere, og føler med dere, og står sammen i sorgen.

I dag vil jeg takke Støttegruppa, for den jobben dere gjør og har gjort for så mange overlevende og etterlatte. Dere betyr så mye for så mange.

Jeg er også stolt av AUF, for at dere fortsatte med politikk, bygde organisasjonen videre, gjenreiste Utøya og viser klokskap og engasjement.

Og også ungdommen på tvers av politikken i Norge som stilte opp. Det gir håp for fremtiden.

Bare én mann gjennomførte handlingen 22. juli. Mange flere delte og deler holdningene.

I fjor sa vi tydelig at vi alle har et ansvar for å motvirke ekstremisme.

Vi appellerte til den etablerte høyre-siden og ba dem snakke tydelig til de deler av befolkningen som lytter mer til dem enn til oss.

Akkurat som vi har et ansvar for å snakke til den delen av befolkningen som lytter mer til oss.

I dag gjentar jeg dette budskapet, men med et bredere bakteppe.

Natt til 25. juni - dagen da vi skulle markere Pride i Oslo, skjøt en mann mot uskyldige mennesker i den varme sommernatten.

De ble ofre, mange av dem - høyst trolig - fordi de feiret retten til å elske den man vil.

Og gjerningsmannen - høyst trolig - var motivert av islamistisk ekstremisme.

Derfor henvender jeg meg i dag til de moderate muslimene, det store flertallet i muslimske miljøer - og ber dem snakke ut mot både holdningene og handlingen, igjen; snakke tydelig til de deler av befolkningen som lytter spesielt til dere.

Skytingen 25. juni rammet hele det skeive miljøet i Norge.

Det har gjort inntrykk på meg å møte så mange som setter ord på utryggheten de føler i den norske hverdagen.

Og vi lever med et høyt terrortrusselnivå i Norge. Det er en realitet vi må ta på alvor.

Det gjør vondt å møte den utryggheten.

Vi vet at skeive opplever hat, trusler og vold. Hetsen er spesielt stor mot transpersoner.

Sånn skal vi ikke ha det i Norge.

Vi skal bruke 22. juli, i respekt for de vi mistet, til å vende ryggen mot dette.

I Norge skal du kunne mene hva du vil, tro på hva du vil og elske hvem du vil!

Vi lever i en urolig tid. Med sosial uro, økte priser, flere som opplever å leve på marginen.

Klimaendringene er fortsatt klodens store utfordring.

Rekordhøye temperaturer og skogbranner understreker at vi må nå målene vi har satt for kutt i utslipp.

Millioner er på flukt fra Ukraina. Vi har sett brutale drap i våre naboland. Slik er samtiden vår.

Det viser oss at fred og sikkerhet ikke kan tas for gitt. Demokratiet utfordres av sterke autoritære krefter.

Det er i disse tidene vi må verne om demokratiet, sammen stå opp mot kreftene som vil ødelegge, skape utrygghet og vise brutalitet.

Tidligere i sommer nedsatte regjeringen en ekstremismekommisjon, etter initiativ fra AUF, og et tiltak regjeringen skrev ned i sin plattform.

Den skal se på hvordan vi forhindrer radikalisering og ekstremisme. Den skal se på hvilken kunnskap vi kan hente fra norske og internasjonale erfaringer for å forebygge og hindre.

Kommisjonen er i gang, og vi ser frem til kommisjonens arbeid og forslag.

Men noe vet vi. Gjerningsmennene i de fleste terrorsakene har noen gjenkjennelige trekk.

Det viser hvor farlig ensomhet og utenforskap er for mennesker.

Vi er et åpent samfunn.

Det er trygt i Norge.

Men også vi er sårbare. 22. juli viste det.

Angrepet på Al-Noor-moskeen i 2019 viste det.

Skytingen i Oslo 25. juni viste det.

Vårt viktigste oppgave må være å arbeide for et samfunn som inkluderer alle.

Det starter i skolen og i barnehagene.

Aldri før har velferdsstaten vært viktigere.

Sterke fellesskap er vårt viktigste forsvar.

11 år er gått siden 22. juli. Vi står på en byggeplass fortsatt, men det skjer ting her som viser at vi tar demokratiet og bygningene tilbake.

Jeg er glad for at vi i sommer endelig åpnet minnesmerket på Utøya-kaia. Takk til alle som arbeidet for det. Takk til Solberg-regjeringen som gjorde grundig arbeid på den veien. Når vi nå bygger opp regjeringskvartalet er regjeringen opptatt av å ta vare på sporene etter terrorhandlingene i 22. juli- senteret.

For i det øyeblikket sporene er borte, så har vi sluppet fri fornekterne. De som kan si at «dette skjedde ikke». Men det skjedde. Vi må minne det, og trekke lærdommer.

Kjære alle sammen,

I dag minnes vi de drepte, sørger med alle etterlatte, og tenker på alle som fortsatt sliter.

I dag lover vi igjen at vi aldri skal tie og aldri glemme.