VAMP - (a)live in Oslo

VAMP at Sentrum Scene, Oslo November 2005 (Photo: Norwegianblogger)

Yesterday the Norwegian folk-rock group VAMP filled the rock club “Sentrum Scene” here in Oslo with hundreds of fans for one of this year’s best concerts. I went with three friends and we got more than we bargained for; It was art, it was entertainment, it was pure joy and expressions of longing and sadness, it was rock, jazz, folk, new age, pop and beautiful ballads made of poetry. I could go on: violins, trumpet, accordion, acoustic and electric guitars, flutes and drums were used to make wonderful, heartfelt music. To top that: the audience was fantastic – every single person was there to enjoy music, have fun and make the evening complete: Silence, dancing, shouting and singing when that was required. If you ever get the chance to get a ticket: A VAMP concert should not be missed!!

VAMP in blue, Sentrum Scene, Oslo November 2005 (Photo: Norwegianblogger)

Note from at truth-seeker

This morning I once again visited the blog that inspired me to start my own. I’m always challenged and inspired when I visit this blog, and today was no exception. I’ve met Rachelle a couple of times in real life, and she is one of the persons on this planet that really lives intensely and touches you through her thoughts and personality. A couple of days ago she wrote an incredible post in her blog that really made me think (once more). After reading it I was left with a lot of questions about truth and theology. Is there a doctrine or a truth that can be held as 100% truth, or is it all about relationships? Do we find truth in the way we act or in the way we think? Are we to discuss right or wrong at all when it comes to religion, or are we only to share? I think I know my answers, but I would have loved to hear yours. Before you answer, read Rachelle’s here.

An imaginary war

I’ve done a lot of walking recently, and that has given me a lot of time to listen to audio books. Now I’m listening to a great book by Norwegian author and satirist Knut Nærum called WAR! (KRIG!). I really enjoy this book. The main storyline is that Norway declares a war towards the Netherlands, and the root of the conflict is a Norwegian skater hindering a Dutch skater from winning the World Championships! The book reveals how hate is built through the big and small occurrences that changes the way we think and act. It’s incredibly funny, but at the same time thought-provoking, because you can’t think of two peoples with more things in common than the Norwegians and the Dutch. I’ve experienced it again and again. When I meet Dutch people it feels like meeting someone from the next village or town here in Norway. It’s usually very easy to meet, and there are few cultural obstacles in the conversation. Usually we enjoy visiting each others countries, and we have a lot of the same values. In this book the harmony between our countries is daily challenged by little things, and throughout the audio book the listener is little by little manipulated into hating parts of Dutch culture as well :). The author describes so well what happens when we give room for prejudice and hate. The book describes a situation where Norway is manipulated into a meaningless war with a friendly ally. A skater, a comedian, journalists and secret agents are involved in building up hate and prejudice against the Dutch. I definitely think the description of the process is close to the truth, and in this way satire is a powerful weapon to expose and reveal how meaningless a lot of today’s conflicts are.