A series of events will be held in Norway this year commemorating the 97th anniversary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

Following tradition, the Armenians of Oslo and surrounding areas will gather at the Institute of Fridtjof Nansen, the place which once used to be Nansen's residence. Here lies the tomb of Nansen, the great humanist and committed friend of Armenians, which became a unique sanctuary and memorial for the Genocide. 

On the same day, April 24, the Armenians of Bergen, the second biggest city of Norway, will commemorate the Genocide victims at the cross-stone dedicated to their memory. 

On April 22 at the church of the tonw of Vegårshei there will be a cultural event and a holy liturgy held in commemoration of the Genocide victims. The event was initiated by the Armenians of Vegårshei and supported by the Armenian Cultural Association of Norway.  The mass will be served by a priest of Armenian Apostolic Holy Church with the blessing and order of Garegin II, Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians. The event will be attended by Armenians from Vegårshei and Oslo, local government and media representatives. Among others, a speech will be delivered by the head of Kragero community, which was the first community in Norway to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. 

Kragero was home to the Norwegian missionary, devoted friend of Armenians, eyewitness of the Genocide and caretaker of many Armenian orphans Bodil Bjørn, whose memorial is raised in Kragero.   With the call of the mayors of Kragero and Vegårshei, as well as with the appeal letter of the Armenians in Norway, the City Council Council of Vegårshei will discuss the recognition of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, the very symbolic day for the Armenians. With the approving vote of the majority of the Council members, Vegårshei will become the second community in Norway to recognize the Armenian Genocide. This will become an encouraging message for other communities, cities and, maybe, the Parliament of Norway to consider the Genocide recognition issue. 

Erik Grigoryan

Oslo, Norway