PHOTOS: St. Olaf Student in Oslo for Norwegian Massacre Remembrance

Editor's note: This piece is submitted by Shannon Cordes, a student who was in Norway last week during the remembrance of the massacre that took place a year ago. Be sure to check out from last year about Northfielders who were in Oslo during the massacre.

Vi glemmer aldri: We Will Never Forget

There exist moments in life; moments that forever impact not only the individual, but also the peace and existence of an entire nation. For Norway, that moment was July 22, 2011 when a terrorist bombed Regjerings kvartalet in Oslo and then proceeded to Utøya, a nearby island where he committed mass murder upon innocent children. 77 people lost their lives that day. Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of this horrific event and I had the unique honor of witnessing Norway’s act of remembrance. Near Oslo domkirke church, hundreds of red, white and pink roses lay in a bed strewn with Norwegian flags. I, too, joined the thousands of Norwegians who honored the victims by laying a rose – a declaration of love – upon the memorial site.

At 8pm that evening, a memorial service was held at Aker brygge, which included musical performances by notable Norwegians, such as Karpe Diem, and a surprise performance by “The Boss” aka Bruce Springsteen. During the service, heart-shaped notes written by 2^nd grade students were read aloud. The concluding note simply stated, Jeg elsker Norge, I love Norway. Amidst the drizzling rain and undercurrent of grief, love and unity permeated the streets of Oslo. In a situation that produces feelings of hatred and resentment, Norwegians responded with a human passion far more powerful – love. The very roses that honor the victims of the terrorist attacks represent the pathos of this great nation, a pathos rooted in the utmost compassion of humanity.

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