Art & culture

Image by Andrea Chirulescu

One of the biggest metal events in Norway, Inferno Festival, is held every year usually during the Easter weekend. The main venue is Rockefeller Music Hall, but a second stage is hosted by John Dee, with plenty of bands performing from Thursday to Saturday. Besides these two, the festival has a club day on Wednesday in clubs in the city. A list of venues can be found here.

For 2012, which will be held between 4-7 April, we already have names like Arcturus, Borknagar, Triptykon, Solstafir, Autopsy. According to the website, the capacity is of 1500 people per day. And despite the fact that I wandered around people mainly dressed in black, with ‘mean’ tattoos, t-shirts, spikes and long hair, I felt a fantastic atmosphere. The good mood is just floating in the air as everyone gets either to see their favorite band or a good unexpected performance. Or one can get a new tattoo or haircut.

In 2010, there was another extra event held at the Viking ship museum where Wardruna, a musical project exploring old Norwegian music and instruments, delivered a breath taking show. They also try to have a contract with a local hotel where most bands stay so you get a chance to run into your favorite musician. Among the previous headliners, I can mention Emperor, Immortal, Marduk, Opeth, Ihsahn, Overkill, Paradise Lost. You can check the list of all names here.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Inferno Festival | Art & culture, Festivals & events, Music | Festival pass all days NOK 1350
Torggata 16 | Grünerløkka
4 days a year | 4 – 7 Apr 2012

Image by Andrea Chirulescu

Akershus Fortress or Castle, is, according to Wikipedia, a medieval castle that was built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. It has also been used as a prison. It is located along the coastline, very close to the touristic harbor and the City hall. It’s a walkable distance from any place between the Central Station and National Theater.

Its alleys are all paved with grey stones and it feels like they only go up. There are guards in few designated spots and sometimes they have to patrol around. They are not allowed to talk to the crowd as far as I understood. On the highest points located towards the sea I like having a look at one of the many displayed cannons, the huge cruise boats or simply enjoy the awesome panorama over the harbor and Aker Brygge.

In addition to the castle, it hosts the Norwegian armed forces and resistance museums but you can also just visit the castle itself. I often had encounters with police on horses since at the bottom of the fortress there are many stables.

Right next to the walls of the castle there is a wide green area where people can go for a barbecue, concerts and festivals (Oslo live festival). During big sporting events, the city sets up huge screens where events can be watched.

Inside the fortress there is a small pond with a stage and I was lucky enough to catch an orchestra concert of a military orchestra or fanfare. Activities are listed here.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Akershus festning | Art & culture, Festivals & events | Free
Akershus festning | Centre
06:00 – 21:00 daily

Image by Andrea Chirulescu

I went to this ‘shop’ as I thought of making my mum an original and personalised gift and this was exactly the right place for my plan. Once in there, all I had to do was to chose a ‘white’ object . Actually wash my hands first and be handed an apron. ‘White’ object is anything from various sized and shaped cups, plates, bowls, vases, animals, etc made of pottery. They have about 100 different models.

Afterwards I could either make a drawing, use one of the shaped sponges or existing shapes in the shop. Then pick a color, a seat and start working. I covered my palms with paint and put my palms on the side of the cup for example. People around me were painting the cups completely, making drawings and writing words on them. Once I am done, the object is left in the shop for a week so it can be laced and dried.

All along the process a nice lady shows you how to handle stuff, gives you tips and makes sure you have everything you need for your work of art. And she can make coffee, tea or chocolate which, unfortunately, you can’t yet drink from your personalised cup. The cool thing is that the objects waiting to be picked up by their owners are all over the place so you can be inspired.

The place is ideal for a cozy afternoon with friends when you feel like doing something totally different.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Glazed and amused | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing
Markveien 25 | Grünerløkka
Tue – Thu 13:00 – 19:00, Fri & Sun 13:00 – 18:00, Sat 11:00 – 18:00

Image by Andrea Chirulescu

The Holmenkollen area in Oslo has been a ski recreation zone since the late 19th century with the main landmark being the Holmenkollen ski jump. Currently it is probably the most visited and famous spot in the city.

The resort ski museum with objects, images and videos from all editions of winter Olympic Games, skis dated hundred of years back, equipment that belonged to famous sport people or royal families. I read about the countless types of ski-wax or ice/snow types, went all the way up in the tower and tried the ski simulator.

In the summer you can hike around the area through the beautiful and relaxing forest, visit the chapel built in 1903 or simply move along to other locations around Oslo. Be sure you have checked the tracks and their availability.

In the winter, a lot of cross country ski tracks start here.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Holmenkollen | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Holmenkollen | West Oslo
Oct – Apr 10:00 -16:00, May – Sep 10:00 – 17:00, Jun – Aug 09:00 – 20:00

Image by Andrea Chirulescu

The Fram museum, with its triangle shaped like building and the polar bear greeting you at the entrance, is the perfect place to learn about expeditions to the North or South Pole and Greenland as they were explored by Norwegians who are now local heroes.

In the middle of the museum there is the world’s most famous polar ship, the Fram, from 1892 which has been preserved with its original contents and everyone is welcome on board to walk all over and see how life was on it. All over the walls you see maps, pieces of history, books, clothes, medical and other use objects, food, tools, you name it that have traveled to these extreme places and make you understand the craziness of the explorers.

There is also a small selection of animals from the Polar region, but I find those impossible heavy objects much more fascinating. Not to mention the view you have from the museum’s windows or terrace over the Oslo harbor, making it perfect for a drink/snack before oyu head back to town in the boat that stops right next to the museum.

Here you can check the exposed collections, and here is a list of exhibitions.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fram museum | Art & culture | Adults NOK 60
Bygdøynesveien 36 | Bygdøy/Frogner | +4723282950
Nov – Feb 10:00 – 15:00 | Mar – Apr & Oct 10:00 – 16:00 | May & Sep 10:00 – 17:00 | Jun – Aug 09:00 – 18:00