H.E. the Norwegian Ambassador Mr. Arild R. Øyen and his wife Titti arriving at the Fortaleza São Miguel.
Radio
The programme was kicked-off with the presentation of Norwegian music and musicians on the local radio station FM 96,5 by DJ Fatima Fernandes throughout the months of May and June.
Jazz Concert – Gumbo
Already on the 26th of May, the Norwegian jazz quartet “Gumbo” held an outdoor concert mainly for youth and children, in the park in front of the Muto Ya Kevela high school.
Theatre
Friday the 2nd of June, was the opening night of ”A Dolls House” by the Elinga theatre group, written by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, considered the father of modern theatre.
Children’s Environment Project
Several schools in Angola participated in an environmental project in connection with the Norwegian centennial anniversary. The schools where invited to make a project based on an environmental challenge in their area. Approximately 1000 students in grades 5-6 worked on the project and the winner group were invited to the opening of the NGO-seminar on June 7 where they received diplomas, t-shirts and handball and soccer balls.
For photos from the award ceremony, click here.
Concert
On the following Monday, the 6th of June, the embassy and partners had invited guests to a concert. The concert was opened by the mezzo-soprano Tuva Semmingsen accompanied by pianist Christen Stubbe Teglbjærg, performing a selection of songs by Edvard Grieg, Rossini and from the ”Wizard of Oz” by Harold Arlen. Next came the pianist Steffen Horn with another selection of Grieg. After a short break there was a change of pace, and the singers Julie Dahle Aagård and Heine Totland, together with the Angolan artist Dodo Miranda, finished the concert with jazz- and popular songs.
For photos from the concert, click here.
Seminar - Private Sector
On Tuesday the 7th of June, the very day of the anniversary, a series of events took place.
The seminar entitled ”Norway – Angola, a partnership for the future”, started with participants from the private sector in the period before lunch.
The key speakers from Norway included the vice-ministers from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Petroleum, as well as the vice-presidents of Hydro, Statoil, DNV, Aker Kværner and FMC Technologies. From the Angolan side Sonangol’s administrator, Mr. Syanga Abilio contributed together with the facilitator, Mr. Victor Hugo Guilherme, director of A-IP - Angola Instituto de Pesquisa Económica e Social and the Angolan Social Fund - FAS - funded by the World Bank.
For photos from the seminar, click here.
Seminar – Humanitarian Organisations
After lunch the seminar continued with participants from civil society and humanitarian organisations. Key-participants from Norway included once again the vice-minister from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Leiv Lunde, the deputy director general of NORAD, Mr. Jon Bech, as well as the resident representatives from the organisations Norwegian Church Aid, Norwegian Peoples Aid, Norwegian Refugee Council and Save the Children. A group of children from the NRC’s TEP (teacher emergency package) programme gave a presentation of a typical TEP lesson!
For photos from the seminar, click here.
Reception at Fortaleza São Miguel
The centennial celebrations culminated with the reception at the old fortress overlooking the Bay of Luanda in the evening of June the 7th. Approximately 500 guests were able to taste and enjoy various Norwegian dishes and delicacies, specially prepared and imported for the occasion. The Norwegian artists Julie Dahle Aagård and Heine Totland, together with the Angolan musicians Dodo Miranda and Paulo Flores, once again provided the entertainment.
Below you will find a selection of photographs from the reception at the Fortaleza São Miguel.
H.E. Mr. Arild R. Øyen, Norwegian ambassador to Angola, Mr. Jan Helge Skogen, head of Norsk Hydro Western Africa, Mrs. Unni Skogen and Mrs. Titti Øyen.
Mr. and Mrs. Jon Harald Kilde, Country Manager for Kværner Oil and Gas in Angola, greeted welcome at the Fortaleza São Miguel by Mr. Holger Boge, Statoil, and Mr. Gustav Såstad, Hydro.
Ms. Alida Endresen, Councellor at the Norwegian Embassy welcoming Mr. Paolo Jorge.
H.E. Mr. JorgeTauney, Brasilian ambassador, with Jeronimo Belo and his wife.
Mr. Emilio Grion, consultant, with Francisco de Almeida of UNDP and his wife Ginga and Henda Ducados.
Norsk Hydro's Oslo delegation visiting Angola.
UN resident co-ordinator Mr. Jean Francois Pirlot and H.E. Mr. James Manzou, ambassador of Zimbabwe.
Trocaire's country director, Mr. Richard Poole.
H.E. Mrs. Cynthia Efyrd, US ambassador to Angola.
Mr. Vegard Bye, head of the UN office for Human Rights in Angola, being greeted by Ms. Alida Endresen, Councellor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
Dodo Miranda singing the Angolan national anthem.
Mr. Victor Hugo Guilherme, director of FAS and A-IP - Angola Instituto de Pesquisa Económica e Social, and wife.
Mr. Felix Vieira Lopes Junior of the Angolan Ministry of Petroleum and his wife.
H.E. Mr. Arild R. Øyen, Norwegian ambassador to Angola, wishing his guests welcome at the Fortaleza São Miguel.
Some of the members of the organising committee for the centennial celebrations in Angola: Jon Harald Kilde - Aker Kværner, Brendan Cunnane - PGS, Holger Boge - Statoil, Ana Fernandez Viso - DNV, Arild R. Øyen - Norwegian Embassy, Gustav Såstad - Hydro, Jan Helge Skogen - Hydro, Monica Kim - Norwegian Embassy, Gordon Sneddon - FMC Technologies, Vibeke Skauerud - Norwegian Embassy and Demony Viera - Norwegian Embassy.