December 6, 2024

Issue #23

We hope you enjoy this brief look into recent developments in Norway and at the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. If you are not subscribed but would like to be, please add your contact information to our Google Form. We also recommend following our social media accounts (links above).

Cover art: Haakon Lundkvist, VisitNorthwest.no.

It's almost here! Don't miss the annual Norwegian Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony at Union Station, which will take place next Tuesday, December 10, at 6:00 pm. The event will include musical performances (including up-and-coming Norwegian indie pop artist Anna Lille), a bar with festive drinks, gingerbread cookies, and a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the North Pole elves.

We can't wait to see you there!

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt's travels recently took her to Chicago and the surrounding area. Back in the early 1900s, Chicago had the third-largest Norwegian population in the world. We thank our friends at NorCham Chicago and Honorary Consul Susan Meyer for their amazing work on this trip! 

The Ambassador visited Hydro's National Headquarters and Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism (where she participated in a round table focused on the free press). She also met with former senator Heidi Heitkamp, who is currently the Institute Director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, and students affiliated with that program.

Later, she met with McDonald's Corporation executives Jon Banner (Executive Vice President and Global Chief Impact Officer) and Jo Sempels (President of International Development of Licensed Markets). Another meeting was with the former United States Permanent Representative to NATO, CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Ivo Daalder.

A highlight of the visit was honoring 101-year-old Richard Lumpp with two special acknowledgements (an honor from Canada’s Convoy Cup Foundation and the Liberation Medallion from Samlerhuset in Norway). Richard is the last surviving member of the Norwegian-speaking battalion that fought in fierce battles during the last 101 days of World War Two. We are thankful for his service.

Ambassador Huitfeldt also enjoyed seeing a replica of the famous Gokstad Viking ship. This replica was built after the original ship was unearthed in 1880, and it was sailed to Chicago and viewed by more than 27 million people at the Chicago World's Fair. Today, a group of enthusiasts is working to build a museum for it. Chicago continues to hold a very strong connection to Norwegian culture and history.

Photo: Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Recently, we received Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, in Washington, D.C. His schedule included a bilateral meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, at which he thanked the Biden administration for their close cooperation with Norway. In addition, he met with several think tanks and analysts.

He also made time for a meeting with Embassy staff, as well as interviews with Norwegian and American media. After departing the D.C. area, he continued his North American journey with a stop at the Halifax International Security Forum.

Photo: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ambassador enjoyed participating in Team Norway's Annual Strategy Meeting in New York last month. This event brings key partners together to discuss 2025 priorities, which ensures strong and effective cooperation for the year ahead.

The U.S., of course, is Norway’s most important ally, as well as a crucial partner in security, defense, trade, innovation, and investment. Norwegian businesses continue to thrive in the U.S. market, and Norway prioritizes the continued building of these relationships, in energy, green technology, and seafood, to name just a few areas.

Photo: The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Though Thanksgiving is not a Norwegian holiday, we enjoyed getting into the turkey-day spirit here at the Embassy! Click here to see a video featuring what many of our employees are thankful for this year.

Photo: Adobe Stock