On July 22, 2011, the summer holidaying population of Norway received a slap in their face from a cruel reality. Now, how do we handle this?
The initial devastating bomb blast in the heart of Norway's political power center was a shock to us all. Pictures from the government's office block reminding us of a war zone were, at best, surreal. Still, to most Norwegians they were simply scary and shocking. "How can this happen here?" is probably not a very unique question to ask in a setting like this, but we kept asking anyway. And, of course, no one had an answer. Except, maybe "It can happen anywhere".
A couple of hours later, we were in for the next shock: a gunman going crazy at the Labour party's youth summer camp. The initial reports, or rather rumours, from the site were few and unreal - a man in police uniform gunning down kids at random, and a lake filling up with kids trying to swim to safety from a maniac. Panic and desperation slowly started to spread. This was a hitherto unknown experience for us all, at least for the vast majority who's never seen war.
Fear and aggression started spreading, but and impressive share of the people I communicated with myself managed to remain surprisingly open-minded and calm. Speculations about the "fingerprints of international terror organizations" were present, but not dominating (apparently NY Times were doing a better, or worse, job there).
Late last night our prime minister held a press conference. I've never been a follower, and my respect for his oratorical qualities has always been quite low. But last night at least he proved that his assistants can formulate a speech under pressure.
And I quote:
This is an attack on innocent civilians. On young people at a summer camp. On us.
I have a message for those who attacked us. And for those who are behind them.
It is a message from the whole of Norway:
You will not destroy us.
You will not destroy our democracy or our commitment to bringing about a better world.
We are a small nation, but we are a proud nation.
No one is going to bomb us into silence.
No one is going to shoot us into silence.
No one is ever going to frighten us away from being Norway.
Jens Stoltenberg, I'd sign that statement any time.
Today, the day after, we're told that at least 91 people were killed.
Today, the day after, we're told that the crime was carried out by one or a few Norwegian individuals.
Today, the day after, we're about to realize the grim reality.
And today, the day after, it's time to adopt the British slogan from the blitzkrieg days of World War 2: "Keep calm and carry on".
Let's stick together now, not against the enemy, whoever that might be, but for what we believe in!
