Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Rich Cultural Heritage of Beautiful Norway I Srimal Fernando I Daily Mirror I










The Rich Cultural Heritage of Beautiful Norway
Monday , December  31, 2012                                
By Srimal Fernando

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Norway is one of the world's most scenic destinations endowed with an unmatched natural beauty and a rich cultural past. It is famously known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” and possesses a rich history dating back to Viking era. The country occupies the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula. As Norway surged to the scene as a world leader, the country has received a great deal of attention. People of the country played a leading role in the engine of prosperity of their country and have been fueled by pragmatism, hard work and a flood of individual enterprises.
The countries economy has changed radically due to the discovery of natural gas and petroleum. Norway has rapidly risen to become a global economic and cultural force to be reckoned with. The country   had produced some of the most influential legendary writers, thinkers and artists. Among them Laureate Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Knut Hamsun Sigrid Undset and Fartein Valen are some of the eminent and world-renowned personalities that contributed to the countries progress.  Yes, We Love This Country” is an inspirational noteworthy national anthem written by laureate Bjørnstjerne Bjornson. Every year the Norwegian Constitution Day is celebrated on May 17th. It is   considered to be the most important event in the Norwegian calendar. The day is  celebrated with grand parades, ceremonies and concerts. The capital city of Oslo situated amidst a splendid panorama was once called “Kristiania” .The city was founded by King Harald III around AD 1048 .The city of Oslo offers visitors an exhausting list of attractions. This Global cosmopolitan city possesses an enormous cultural richness with uncountable attractions to see and offer s an unmatched experience to the traveler. The Royal Palace, Vigelandsparken are the most recognizable tourist spots that attract thousands of visitors every day. The other breath-taking sites visitors can see in this city are the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum that has some of the rarest and exquisite pieces of art and craft, Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Nobel Institute. Shopping is undoubtedly an attraction in itself as choices and variety for things to shop in Oslo is immeasurable.  The city is also modern in every sense of the word with the Oslo City shopping Centre with 90 different shops. The noteworthy towns such as Hedmarken situated on the banks of Mjøsa lake, Bergen , Stavanger  the Hamar region called the  breadbasket of Norway  and Tromsø the  ‘Gateway to the Arctic’  needs little introduction to many visitors to the country.

 

The country has tended to preserve its traditional music, theater and dance separately from new developments offering visitors the opportunity to experience an ancient form much as they were centaury ago. Today music, dance and theater are pulling in new audiences and a number of home-grown productions, particularly those aimed at the popular market, have taken the country and, in some cases, the world, by storm. Bergen International Film Festival (BIFF) is a premier international film event held annually that portrays the rich cinematic culture of the country. Bergen’s Food Festival ,Contemporary Music Festival, and the  Norway Arts Festival are the other important interesting cultural events  held in the country. Unparalleled in its ethnic diversity Norway is a unique destination to visit for its contrasts, high cultural interest and for spectacular natural atmosphere.


 (Source :  http://epaper.dailymirror.lk/epaper/viewer.aspx)

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