Culture & Religion — August 14, 2014

Oslo Rådhus – Where Civics, Art, and Peace Converge

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Oslo’s beautiful city hall is one of Norway’s most popular buildings and one of the world’s most beautiful seats of civic government. The large wall decoration on the second floor, an oil painting by the artist Henrik Sørensen, took 12 years to complete due to a halt in the building’s construction during World War II. The rådhus was officially inaugurated in 1950 and is now best known as the home of the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony held every December 10. Another unique feature of the city hall is the presence of three art studios located in the structure’s western tower. Visual artists residing in Oslo apply to use the spaces free of charge every two years.

Photo credit: Claudia Regina.

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