People’s memories of Norway victims go to National Archive

The enormous amount of flowers, cards and other tributes remembering those killed in Norway’s attacks is being cleared from outside Oslo Cathedral.

Tokens, including candles and teddy bears, were left to commemorate the 77 people who died on July 22 and some of these will be kept by the National Archive.

Oslo city spokesman Erik Hansen said it is an opportunity for less formal memories: “One of the archivists said that for a long time now we have heard what the prime minister said about this catastrophe that hit us, what the King has said about it, what the politicians have said. Now they want to see what the people, what kids, what adults have said on the signs and the postcards they have made. So now they are collecting them so they have the peoples’ voice.”

Secretary Ely Boysen, who lives in Oslo, agreed that preserving the tributes was important: “It’s a historic memory which will last forever and I hope they’ll find a nice place for them.”

With the summer weather taking its toll on the flowers, the clear-up is necessary for more funerals due to take place on Thursday.

Meanwhile, police in Oslo are setting up a special unit to investigate more aspects of the twin attacks, including how Anders Behring Breivik was able to finance them and if he worked with anyone else.

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