24-06-2021 10:30 pm

This afternoon Sydney and I were invited to meet with Norway's Prime Minister, Erna Solberg at the Prime Minister's residence in Oslo.

A little nervous but mostly excited, Sydney and I walked hand-in-hand up to the PM's residence with our parents on each side of us. Waiting for us at the side entrance was the Prime Ministers communication advisor, Arvid Samland. Arvid had worked for the Prime Ministers office for years and knew mum, so it didn't long after all the introductions before the two of them were chatting their way into the PM's residence.

Walking into this historic building, I couldn't help but think about who had lived here before Erna Solberg. I had read a little about where the former Norwegian Prime Ministers residence was located before this buildning, and had read that former Prime Minister (and now Secretary General of Nato) Jens Stoltenberg and his family were the first to live there after the renovations were finished in 2009.

It wasn't lost of me that this is where Jens was when the bomb exploded in the Government District 22nd July before Norway's infamous terrorist and white supremist went on his shooting rampage on Utøya. I know a little morbid. Not all historic moments are happy snap-shots in time.

Within a minute of our arrival, Prime Minister Erna Solberg came out to meet-and-greet us. I was still holding Sydney's hand when Erna walked into the room, and I felt her hand tightened around mine. I remember looking at Sydney and thinking how cool it was that we were experiencing this moment together.

Below are the articles about visiting Prime Minister Erna Solberg and her singing with Sydney

Tv2: https://www.tv2.no/a/14083676/

Drammens Tidende: https://www.dt.no/her-synger-sydney-11-og-erna-til-minne-om-22-juli-ofrene/s/5-57-1687600

Click here to watch the video of Sydney singing with Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg that she posted on her Instagram account.

#viminnerdem/#werememberthem

24-06-2021 11:00 pm

The Norwegian Prime Minister's residence is located at Inkognitogata 18 and was built in 1891 by Norwegian architect Henry Bucher for mason Emil Christophersen. Renovation of the PM's residence was completed in 2008 and comprises of new and old buildings which includes the original buildings on Parkveien 45, Inkognitogata 18 (PM Residence), Riddervolds gate 2, which have been connected with new structures, and the gardens of Parkveien 45 to 47.

Riddervolds gate 2 was built the same year, by the same architect and for the same client, is the official residence for visiting foreign dignitaries. This building is inspired by the Italian Renaissance, with towers and decorations. Among other things, it has reliefs by famous Norwegian sculptor, Gustav Vigeland. Both buildings were used as private residences until 1945, and then later as office space.

In 1962, the Liberatas Foundation bought Inkognitogata 19, and in 1972 they also bought Riddervolds gate 2. The foundation sold both the buildings in 1985, and after some changes of ownership, the state bought both in 1997.

Parkveien 45 is known as Villa Parafina, and was built by Henrik Nissen for wholesaler Fredrik Sundt in 1877. The state bought Parkveien 45 in 1896, which was the Prime Minister's residence until 1908. It then became the residence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and from 1962, it was used as a representative residence. When it became part of the Prime Minister's residence in 2009, it retained its function as a representative residence.

The new building that connects the properties was designed by Riseng & Kiehl AS Arkitekter while the Garden was designed by Snøhetta who also designed Oslo Opera House and National September 11 Museum pavillion in New York to name a few.