Norwegians prepare for massacre anniversary
- 12 years ago
Anders Behring Breivik - the man behind Norway's worst ever peace time atrocity.
This was the scene in Oslo on a July afternoon nearly one year ago. The bombing outside a government building killed eight people.
And here, bodies along the shore of Utoeya Island, where Breivik gunned down 69 others - most of them teenagers.
Sunday will mark one year since the massacre.
Now, Breivik has been tried in court and is awaiting a verdict, downtown Oslo is nearly rebuilt and life for many Norwegians has returned to normal.
But for survivors of the attack, the memories don't fade so quickly.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) VEGARD GROESLIE WENNESLAND, LEADER OF THE OSLO SECTION OF THE LABOUR PARTY YOUTH WING (AUF) SAYING:
"I think very few people for example go through a day without thinking of the events of July 22 you know - a person you miss, someone you were supposed to hang out with or seek advice from or anything like this, or something that just reminds you of what happened."
Many Norwegians pride themselves on being liberal, tolerant and egalitarian - in stark contrast to Breivik's conservative, anti-immigration views.
One young survivor -- who co-authored a book with her father about the attack -- says the killings haven't made Norwegians more fearful of one another, or triggered widespread calls for tougher security measures.
Instead, she thinks people from all walks of life have grown closer.
(SOUNDBITE)(Norwegian) CO-AUTHOR OF THE BOOK "I'M ALIVE DADDY" AND UTOEYA SURVIVOR SIRI MARIE SEIM SOENSTELIE SAYING:
"I think it's too early to say how it will affect Norway in the long run, but there have been debates about security, there have been debates about precautions made to prevent a future attack, but myself, I feel that Norwegians and immigrants have grown closer as a result."
A commemorative event on Utoeya is set for Sunday.
She and her father will be there, offering support to those parents who will never again see their children.
(SOUNDBITE)(Norwegian) ERIK SOENSTELIE, CO-AUTHOR OF THE BOOK "I'M ALIVE DADDY" SAYING:
"We will be together, have a meal together and take care of each other and remember those that passed away and especially take care of those parents who don't have their.. that there are some of us that can't stand with their daughters or sons next to them, and they will have it especially tough on July 22."
July 22 will be marked in different ways throughout Norway.
Apart from the event on Utoeya Island, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony and church service, and a big concert in Oslo.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
This was the scene in Oslo on a July afternoon nearly one year ago. The bombing outside a government building killed eight people.
And here, bodies along the shore of Utoeya Island, where Breivik gunned down 69 others - most of them teenagers.
Sunday will mark one year since the massacre.
Now, Breivik has been tried in court and is awaiting a verdict, downtown Oslo is nearly rebuilt and life for many Norwegians has returned to normal.
But for survivors of the attack, the memories don't fade so quickly.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) VEGARD GROESLIE WENNESLAND, LEADER OF THE OSLO SECTION OF THE LABOUR PARTY YOUTH WING (AUF) SAYING:
"I think very few people for example go through a day without thinking of the events of July 22 you know - a person you miss, someone you were supposed to hang out with or seek advice from or anything like this, or something that just reminds you of what happened."
Many Norwegians pride themselves on being liberal, tolerant and egalitarian - in stark contrast to Breivik's conservative, anti-immigration views.
One young survivor -- who co-authored a book with her father about the attack -- says the killings haven't made Norwegians more fearful of one another, or triggered widespread calls for tougher security measures.
Instead, she thinks people from all walks of life have grown closer.
(SOUNDBITE)(Norwegian) CO-AUTHOR OF THE BOOK "I'M ALIVE DADDY" AND UTOEYA SURVIVOR SIRI MARIE SEIM SOENSTELIE SAYING:
"I think it's too early to say how it will affect Norway in the long run, but there have been debates about security, there have been debates about precautions made to prevent a future attack, but myself, I feel that Norwegians and immigrants have grown closer as a result."
A commemorative event on Utoeya is set for Sunday.
She and her father will be there, offering support to those parents who will never again see their children.
(SOUNDBITE)(Norwegian) ERIK SOENSTELIE, CO-AUTHOR OF THE BOOK "I'M ALIVE DADDY" SAYING:
"We will be together, have a meal together and take care of each other and remember those that passed away and especially take care of those parents who don't have their.. that there are some of us that can't stand with their daughters or sons next to them, and they will have it especially tough on July 22."
July 22 will be marked in different ways throughout Norway.
Apart from the event on Utoeya Island, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony and church service, and a big concert in Oslo.
Travis Brecher, Reuters