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– Tonight, first of all, I will send my cordial greetings to all those affected by the landslide accident in Gjerdrum, says King Harald in his New Year’s address.
On New Year’s Eve, ten people were still missing after the landslide that took place at Ask in Gjerdrum on Wednesday night.
– The terrible incident deeply impresses us all. I sympathize with you who are entering the new year with pain and uncertainty. With you who have lost your homes, and who are desperate right now and do not see the way forward, said the king.
He also highlighted the efforts made by the authorities, emergency services and civil society under very demanding conditions.
– You still have a lot of heavy work ahead of you. And, once again, we see people mobilizing to help other human beings in need. I am proud and moved, said the king.
– A year of disappointments
The traditional New Year’s speech was also about the difficult pandemic year left behind, but the king also pointed forward.
– It has been a year of disappointments, cancellations and postponements. A year in which we had to put a lot of things on hold. But then we can hope that this is precisely why we have so much to look forward to, said the king.
He believes there are good reasons for optimism and refers to the vaccines that are now on the way, while reminding himself that everyday life can wait, and that there are still difficult times for society and business.
Therefore, the king encouraged the people to take care of each other, and calls for hard and continuous work, although he acknowledges that many are tired.
– It is precisely this ability to achieve something together that has helped us to move forward, both now and in previous times. Now we must try to draw new forces that perhaps we did not know we had, in ourselves and as a society, he says.
King Harald encouraged the people to take care of each other. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen
I miss the clamps
Thanks to everyone who has given up on Russian celebrations, family parties, and hugs.
– The Queen and I miss as much as other grandparents for hugging our children and grandchildren. But then we sincerely hope that we will get a lot back in the new year!
He believes that the pandemic has tested the country’s values, but at the same time seems to believe that the test has been passed.
– Now we have shown that we have a popular government that also leads in times of crisis, he says.
King Harald praises the power of action and courage in the face of difficult decisions and believes that wise and prudent administration has given Norway the economic backbone to handle the crisis. He praises creativity in industries that were crippled by infection control measures overnight.
– And we have shown that we are willing to sacrifice much of ours for the good of the community, he said.
– You’re not alone
The king acknowledges that the pandemic has affected people differently. Some have lost their jobs, while others have experienced that the family has become more united and have learned to appreciate everyday life, he notes.
At the end of the pandemic year 2020, the king sent a greeting especially to those who are not allowed to celebrate the New Year where they would like to be and with whom they would prefer to celebrate it.
– To all those who feel lonely this New Year’s Eve: they are not the only ones who have that feeling. To all who are tired and anxious about the future: I understand you very well, said the king.
He specifically referred to the situation of children and young people who have difficulties and who have lost their network: teachers, coaches or other people who care.
– Now we must be “one” of each other. The one who stops and looks, who takes a phone call and asks.
“It will happen”
He emphasizes that both Norway and the world are in a serious situation, but believes that “crises force changes that can be good and necessary, even if they are painful.” As an example, he notes that the pandemic gave pollution a brief break in some of the most polluted places on earth.
– I have been involved in many things throughout a long life, and I can promise you: what we are now will pass. We have been through great trials before, said the king.
– Hope will take us all to 2021, he concluded.
(© NTB)
