His Majesty King Harald has a goal of visiting all the Norwegian municipalities at least once during his reign. The long list is getting shorter and shorter and on October 4th 2022, the King was able to cross another municipality off the list when the Norwegian monarch made his first official visit to the municipality of Flensberg, in central Norway.
Flesberg municipality has 2, 710 inhabitants but almost 3, 500 cabins. The municipality consists of agriculture and forest areas, but also large mountain areas. The king had noticed the name of the building which houses Flesberg school and which has become a centre for activities in the village. “The treasure chest”, as the school with surrounding facilities is called, was filled with many spectators who wanted to hear what His Majesty had to say.
King Harald told them ”I can say with my hand on my heart that it’s the first time I’ve been inside a treasure chest. And what treasures you have collected! What you have created together are values that last longer and are worth much more than coins and jewels. You have created a place that is good to be for everyone.”
The king spent time talking about unity when he spoke at Flesberg school. He reflected on troubled times, both financially for each individual and not least with the war raging in the European neighbourhood. He received information about how Flesberg actively works together to take care of the village and each other, for which he praised the local community.
In his speech, the King said: “Continue to be a community where you look up and see each other – every single day! I am impressed by all the nice things you have prepared for my visit here today. Now I am looking forward to getting to know Flesberg and you who live here even better.”
Mayor Oddvar Garaas gave a funny and informative speech, which started with the time The King’s grandfather, King Haakon VII, visited the municipality at the beginning of the 20th century. King Haakon went on several hunting trips to this part of Norway and at that time all the children at school were given the day off to chase the game so that the current king’s grandfather could shoot them more easily.
Grete Sønstebø, who is an award-winning entrepreneur who works with the agricultural fertilizer of the future, also spoke with commitment and pride about local businesses. She made a rather direct request to the King to nudge the Minister of Agriculture in the side and whisper that they would be happy to receive a visit from the Norwegian government as well, if they do as the King does and take the time to do so.
In conclusion, there were speeches by student council representatives. There was also local folk music. The royal entourage gradually moved up into the library, where both the sports club, the trail association, the volunteer centre and the Village Women’s Association talked to the King. The king was in a good mood and listened interestingly to what people had on their minds. The villagers had turned up and contributed with cheers and waving flags.
