Earlier in July, Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg visited Norwegian expats in Hamburg before the G20 summit.
Text and photos by: Kai-Axel Aanderud, member of Norwegian Worldwide’s Advisory Council
Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg took advantage of her invitation to the G20 Summit in Hamburg on 7-8 July to meet the large Norwegian colony living in the city.
Since the Middle Ages the Hansa City is Norway’s most important bridgehead in Central Europe. Many well-known Norwegian companies maintain a branch here, the Norwegian classification society DNV GL has even moved its maritime headquarter from Oslo to Hamburg.
In one of Norway’s oldest Norwegian Churches Abroad, Erna Solberg was warmly welcomed by flag-waving children, dignitaries and numerous members of the Norwegian institutions and companies. The wonderful weather made the informal chat even more delightful.
“This is in fact my first trip to Hamburg,” admitted Erna Solberg.
In Berlin, she is much more often: Five times she recently met with Chancellor Angela Merkel for talks.
Here is Solberg’s visit in pictures (click each photo for a better look):
- Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg, arriving at Norwegian Church Abroad Hamburg to meet with the Norwegian diaspora here.
- Solberg during her speech at Sjømannskirken, the Norwegian Church Abroad, in Hamburg.
- Sjømannsprest Dag Eidhamar, priest of Norwegian Church Abroad Hamburg, honors Erna Solberg with medal “Du er god som gull”.
- Erna Solberg’s interview with Bloomberg-TV in Hamburg.
- Erna Solberg in conversation with Norwegians Worldwide Advisory Council member Kai-Axel Aanderud.
- Sjømannskirken, Norwegian Church Abroad, in Hamburg. In the background the tower of St. Michaelis Church.
- Erna Solberg and Kai-Axel Aanderud in conversation.