Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts

Thursday, 31 December 2015

King Harald of Norway's New Year's Address - English Translation



The Poet Kolbein Falkeid writes:

"Folk jeg var glad i
har gått foran og kvistet løype
De var skogskarer og fjellvante.
Jeg finner nok frem."

 "The people I loved
have gone ahead and marked the ski trails
They were knew the forests and the mountains
I find my way forward."

Our days pass into months - that turns into a year. Thus the years live. It is in the every day that life is lived. And for most people in Norway it is a good life.

Sometimes, one can still feel alone. Maybe you lost someone, or perhaps one stands in front of an important choice. This may make your stance a little shaky, and you do not know where your next step should be.

If you look back, you can easily balance. How can the past - who have marked the slopes - helping us to find our way?

I will therefore speak about this tonight.

Norway is regarded by many as the best country to live in. We score high on international rankings of living standards in the world. We have a good welfare system - and the vast majority of people have a job to go to and confidence in daily life. But it has not always been.

This year we have marked 70 years since peace came to Norway - after five years of war and occupation. A number of events were held to commemorate the end of World War 2. Several of which the Royal Family has attended.

The markings have given us an opportunity to look back - and in some cases allow us to put today's society in perspective.

For it can be easy to forget that only 70 years ago parts of our country lay in ruins. Many returned to broken homes, and several came as refugees. With assistance from the Marshall Aid, we built the country after the war. The Norwegian effort created gleaming new home and a working life, in need of many hands.

Over the decades, we have developed a model of society we can be proud of - with low unemployment and a labor market in which people work well together. In the late 1960s, we found oil in the North Sea.

Wise politicians and visionary leaders created a sensible framework surrounding the management of the large new resource.

The sum of all this is a generous welfare state everyone can enjoy.

Benefits we now take for granted, has not always been obvious. We have also experienced adversity and faced challenges. Together, we have tried to concur these adversities and challenges.

70 years may seem long ago, but for many of us living today, it's as if it were yesterday.

The way is broken up by milestones; signs showing the limits. They are a symbol that something is ending and something else is beginning.

"Fortidens beste gave er erindringen om at vi har en fremtid/ The past's best gift is the memory that we have a future," sociologist Michael Young said.

In the old days, milestones were also sightlines; a place where you could plot the course.

In a human life, milestones often occasions dealing with important events: a child's birth, marriage, a new home. They are life events that give us direction, new hope and get us closer to our dreams. Different kinds of milestone will make your life.

One of my most important milestones was laid in 1991. My father, King Olav V, passed away during the night of January 17, 1991, and I became king. In the dark January night nearly 25 years ago, the Palace Square filled with light. People came from near and far to commemorate a beloved king.

My royal duties started with a sense of community. The warmth of a whole nation embraced our family and gave us strength in a difficult time. Meanwhile, it is with great humility that I stepped into a line of revered kings before me. This year we will mark the 25th anniversary and it gives us a chance for reflection and contemplation.

Norway has in these years experienced unprecedented prosperity. Our country substantial access to energy and ocean treasures has given us great riches. Nevertheless, it is not natural resources alone that has given us opportunities - but to a greater extent our common human resources.

Because many are participating in the labor market and thus contribute to the community, we are together helping to create prosperity to benefit all.

Many people today are concerned about how the future will look like. In recent times we have several areas that are changing - as a nation and as individuals. It is okay to be upset, and express it.

Norway is closely linked to other countries. How can events on the other side of the globe have significant consequences our day to day lives at home. Some occupational industries are threatened, and the employee can have serious consequences. We have recently heard of layoffs in several places.

I would think that many tonight are concerned about what happens to their work in the future.

Human drama we see every day in the faces of all those trying to find a safe haven in Norway. Many fleeing terror in their homeland. Autumn's horrific events in Paris and other big cities have been dreadful reminders that values our society was built on, are under threat. Terrorism knows no borders, and the goal is to create fear in the population. The terrorists want to rob us of life - our life. We will fight - with different agents. Where terrorists are attacking our lives with bombs, our best defense, however, is to use our values as weapons.

In the background for today's great themes, hangs the threat of climate change. From Alaska to Antarctica, I've even seen some of the consequences.

Fortunately, there are bright spots. The international community's effort to reach an agreement at the climate summit in Paris, ended considerably better than many had feared. Now begins the laborious work for a healthier planet.

We may have different opinions about how we should handle our common challenges. Nevertheless, it is important that we can talk about the tasks, because we are all affected by them. If we look back, we remember that we have been through difficult times before.

We mobilize the opposition. Norway is perhaps a small country, but together we have accomplished great things.

Our resources gives us significant opportunities - and also great responsibility. Pippi Longstocking says: "He who is very strong must also be very kind." Many take on this responsibility. I will mention two examples:

After the terrorist attacks against Jews in Paris and Copenhagen at the beginning of the year, a group of young Norwegian Muslims created a ring of protection around the synagogue in Oslo. It was a simple and very dramatic action that showed courage and dedication to care about others.

This autumn's major refugee flow have come up close and personal to our lives. Throughout our continent, countries are experiencing a major challenge trying to find a good way to help refugees.

Many people across the country have collected and handed out clothes and food, taught them Norwegian and opened their homes to those who need it. It was a spontaneous action - and an expression of compassion. Treating them as human beings and building communities.

I will tonight give a special thanks to the Norwegians who are in other countries to help people in need, and contributing to efforts to achieve peace and stability. Women and men in the armed forces, police, diplomatic and humanitarian operations and organizations doing important work we can all be proud of.

My thoughts tonight also goes to the families and those affected by avalanche accident in Svalbard, right before Christmas. Volunteers and relief agencies have done a great deal to help those affected.

When the Royal Family visits around the country, we are struck by people's enthusiasm and commitment. Communities are built in a country populated by people with visions and thoughts that Norway will someday be left to our grandchildren. I am therefore optimistic. If we can still be true to, and can still develop our values - such as trust, community and generosity - we can still create a good society for all.

We have this fall been able to follow a TV series called Datoen/Date. It shows the life stories of famous and not so famous people. It states: "Alt starter et sted. En dato. Og så kommer alt dette andre./ Everything starts somewhere. A date. And then come all these other things. "

Often it is the case - we know not what will come. Soon we will enter a new number in the calendar.

Together we will experience the ups and downs, sorrows and joys. Each individual will experience new milestones in their life; days that we take with us the rest of your life. Some moments we choose, others chose us. Nonetheless, I hope that we together, in one year, you look back and think that the year was good.

We are all in a line. Some went ahead. Others come behind. Let's take care of each other and make the best of every moment.

We will find our way forward.

I wish every one of you a happy New Year!

2015 Christmas/ New Years Addresses

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Friday, 11 December 2015

Christmas 2015 **

Christmas/New Years Speeches

 Most of the European Monarchs give speeches sometime during the holiday season. We will link them here when they get posted, with English Translations, if they are not in English or subtitled. (All times are Local/London)

December 22nd -  Message for Al Mawlid Al Nabawi & Christmas
Christmas Eve Speeches
Christmas Day Speeches 
New Years Eve Speeches
New Years Addresses
  • Emperor Akihito of Japan
Also Check Out:
Christmas 2016


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Thursday, 12 February 2015

Prince Harry's Official Engagements of 2015

Harry's current count is 112 engagements for 2015
70 + Tour NZ (25) + Visit Lesotho & Tour of SA (17)

January (2)
Friday 9th 
  • Sign book of Condolence at French Embassy
Wednesday 14th 
February (5)
Sunday 1st
Tuesday 3rd
Tuesday 24th
Wednesday 25th
  • Northumberland Wildlife Trust's Red Squirrels project
    •  Learn about working to save red squirrel
    • Meet local wildlife photographer, Will Nicholls, learned about how he is promoting conservation through photography.
  • Armed Forces & Veterans Launchpad
    •  Meet Armed Forces veterans adjusting to civilian life. 
(Thursday 26th: Privately visited Help for Heroes, a charity that works with injured veterans)

March (3)
Friday 13th 
  • Afghanistan War Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London 
    • Attended reception at the Guildhall hosted by the City of London Corporation
Wednesday 18th
(Thursday 19th: Visited England Rugby team and watched practice, ahead of match against France, in support of Rugby Football Union)

Saturday 21st
  • Attend the England v France RBS 6 Nations rugby match at Twickenham Stadium (Rugby Football Union)
    • Watched Girl's Rugby Teams Reigate School and Quest Academy face off ahead of the main match
(Thursday 26th: Attended the Memorial for Richard Meade at Bath Abbey)

 (Monday 30th: Private Visit to Tyrwhitt House as part of his job as with the Military)

April (4)
Monday 6th
  • Visit Australian War Memorial
    • Lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider
    • Tours the World War I and Afghanistan Galleries
Friday 24th 
  • Attend services in Turkey to commemorate the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign and Anzac Day
    • attend a Reception for descendants of those who fought in the Gallipoli Campaign, and military personnel, aboard H.M.S. BULWARK, off Ҫanakkale.
    • attend the International Service at the Ҫanakkale Matyrs' Memorial, Abide. 
    • visit the Helles Memorial, where they will attend the Commonwealth and Ireland Service.
    •  attend the French Service at Morto Bay
Saturday 25th
  •  Attend services in Turkey to commemorate the Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign and Anzac Day
    •  attend the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove
    •  attend the Anzac Breakfast 
      • hosted by the Australian and New Zealand  Ambassador to Turkey 
    • attend the Australian Service at Lone Pine Cemetery 
    • attend the 57th Regiment Service at 57th Regiment Service  Memorial
    • attend the New Zealand Service at the Chunuk Bair Memorial
Sunday 26th 
  • Attend London Marathon
    • Pass medals to the winners of the elite men's and women's races and IPC Athletics World Championships incorporating wheelchair races
    • meet race volunteers and members of the St John Ambulance
(April 6th-May 8th: Four week service with Australian Defence Force in Australia at Barracks in Darwin, Perth and Sydney.)

 May (4+ Tour of New Zealand)
(May 7th: Walkabout at Sydney Opera House and visit to Macquarie University Hospital)

Royal Tour of New Zealand - Saturday 9th - Saturday 16th (25 Engagements)

 Saturday 9th Wellington
  • Traditional Maori Welcome Ceremony at Government House. 
  • Attended a Reception for Members of Parliament at Government House and was received by the Governor-General and Lady Mateparae.
  • Visit the National War Memorial and ANZAC Square in Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. 
  • attend the Hurricanes vs Sharks Super 15 Rugby Game at the Westpac Stadium.
Sunday 10th Invercargill, Stewart Island & Ulva Island
  • Civic Welcome at Invercargill Airport
  • Visited Stewart Island Community Center
    • Meet with Local Business representatives in the fishing, tourism and conservation fields
  • Tour of Ulva Island
  • Church Service at St. Andrews on Stewart Island
Monday 11th  Stewart Island
  • Visited Halfmoon Bay School

Tuesday 12th Christchurch
  • Rode tram thought center of Christchurch with Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key 
  • Visited Quake City Museum
  • Visited Re:START Mall
  • Visited Student Volunteer Army at University of Canterbury
Wednesday 13th Christchurch & Linton Military Camp
  • Visited Odyssey House in Christchurch
  • Visited Linton Military Camp
Thursday 14th Whanganui 
  • Visit Putiki Marae 
    • Gave Speech
    • join the crew of the Marae's waka for a trip on the river. 
  • Attended a Veterans' Reception at the War Memorial Centre
Friday 15th Auckland
  • Attended an assembly and cultural performance at Southern Cross Campus in Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Visited the New Zealand Rugby Foundation at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit.
  • Visited Turn Your Life Around youth programme in Otara
  • Met with the Hon. Andrew Little MP (Leader of the Opposition) at Government House
  • Met with Rt. Hon. John Key MP (Prime Minister of New Zealand) at Government House
  • Attended an Emergency Services Reception given by the Governor-General and Lady Mateparae at Government House
Saturday 16th Auckland
  • Visited the Fédération Internationale de Football Association under-20 World Cup youth programme training session at the Cloud, Queen's Wharf
    • was received by the Rt. Hon. John Key MP (Prime Minister of New Zealand)
  • Visited High Performance Sport New Zealand at the AUT Millennium Institute

Monday 18th
  • Chelsea Flower Show 
Sunday 24th 
Saturday 30th
  • Audi Polo Challenge at Coworth Park
Sunday 31st 
June (12)
Thursday 4th
  • Present with Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth at private ceremony at Buckingham Palace
  • Played in annual Oil Aid Charity Football Match
Saturday 6th
Monday 8th
  • Attend the WellChild Gala Concert at the Royal Albert Hall
    • Meet the performers Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett
    • Meet Nurses and Family who have benefited from Well Child
Tuesday 9th
  • Attend Gurkha Pageant to celebrate 200 years of regiment fighting with the British army at Royal Hospital Chelsea, London 
    • Other Royals in Attendance Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip & Prince Charles
Wednesday 10th 
  • Launch the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour of the UK and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, marking 100 days to go to the start of the event.
Thursday 11th
  • Attend a Service of Dedication to inaugurate Bastion Memorial and remember the Fallen at the National Arboretum
  • Attend a Reception for Map Action in London at a Private Residence 
Saturday 13th
  • Trooping the Colour in London. 
Sunday 14th 
  • Polo Match at Beaufort
    • Raised money for Household Calvary Foundation
(15th: Released video for Queen Young Leaders)

Tuesday 16th
  • Meet with First Lady of the USA Micheal Obama along with her daughter and mother at Kensington Palace for Tea. 
  • Presented King's Stand Stakes Trophy to Winner at Royal Ascot
(Friday 20th Completes Operational Service in the Armed Forces)

 (Late June: 3 Month Trip to Africa for 'field-based conservation work' with visit Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Botswana.)

 July (0)

 (3 Month Trip to Africa for 'field-based conservation work' in Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Botswana.)

 (Tuesday 14th: Released Pre-Recorded Video announcing 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida.)

August (0)

 (In Africa for 'field-based conservation work' in Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Botswana.)

 (13-14th Air Support for Counter-Poaching Operations Workshop in Hoedsprit, South Africa)

 September 

 (In Africa for 'field-based conservation work' in Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Botswana. Returns "Mid- September")

(Friday 11th: Released video in support of All Schools programme)

 

 (Volunteer:  Ministry of Defence's Recovery Capability Programme)

Monday 14th 
  • Attended dinner for Battle of Britain Memorial Flypast and Endeavour Fund Spitfire Scholarship at Goodwood House in West Sussex.
Tuesday 15th
  • Attend Goodwood Aerodrome to join Battle of Britain veterans and wounded servicemen in a historic flypast to mark the 75th Anniversary of victory in the Battle of Britain.
    • supported by Endeavour Fund
Thursday 17th 
  • Meet Household Cavalry's Chase the Cup team at Horse Guards
  • Attend Rugby World Cup Official Welcome Party at Foreign and Commonwealth Office
    Friday 18th 
    (Appears in video intro for Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony)

    Wednesday 23rd
    • join DIY SOS to help with the final stages of their Veterans build in Manchester
    Saturday 26th 
    Monday 28th 
    • Took the salute and presented awards in the Senior Inter-House Drill Competition Parade at The Duke of York's Royal Military School in Kent
    Wednesday 30th 
    October

     (Volunteer 2 days a week: Ministry of Defence's Recovery Capability Programme)

    Thursday 1st
    • Attend England Rugby World Cup Team Practice 
    • Attend Rugby World Cup Canada vs France Match
    Saturday 3rd 
      Monday 5th 
      Wednesday 7th 
      • Visit Paignton Rugby Club All School's Programme in Exeter
        • Present Club with an RFU Gold Standard facilities award 
        • Meet coaches, players, volunteers
      • Attend Rugby World Cup Namibia vs Georgia Match 
      Monday 12th 
      • Rugby World Cup Reception at Buckingham Palace
        • With Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, Princess Anne, Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra
        • Gave Speech
      (Wednesday 14th: Appear on BBC1's Big Build Veteran's Special Manchester 8pm)

       Sunday 18th 
      Monday 19th
      • Officially open the Leadenhall Building
        • With William
      • Royal Foundation meeting at Leadenhall Building
        • With William
      Tuesday 20th 
      Wednesday 21st
        (Wednesday 21st: Appear on BBC1's Big Build Veteran's Special Manchester 8pm)

        Thursday 22nd
        • Attend a service at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the 75th anniversary of Explosive Ordnance Disposal across the British Armed Forces.
        Sunday 25th
        Monday 26th 
        •  Attend creative industries-themed Charities Forum event hosted by BAFTA and Aardman 
          • Children from the variety of William, Catherine and Harry's patronages will attend
          • Viewing of Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas
          • With William and Catherine 
        • Informal Charities Forum meeting
        • Royal Film Performance of new James Bond film, Spectre, at Royal Albert Hall 
        Wednesday 28th  (USA visit)
        • Visit Fort Belvoir military base in Virginia with First Lady Michele Obama and 2nd Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.
          • Meet with servicemen undertaking recovery and rehabilitation  
          • Gave Speech
        • Attend Invictus Games board meeting at British Ambassador's house in Washington DC. 
        • Meet President Obama in Oval Office at White House
        • Attend Invictus Games reception at British Ambassador's house in Washington DC. 
        Saturday 31st 
        • Rugby World Cup Final
          • Attend Australia vs.  New Zealand Match 
          • Present Trophy
          November

           (Volunteer 2 days a week:  Ministry of Defence's Recovery Capability Programme)
          Sunday 1st 
          • Meet Walking With the Wounded as they finish their 1,000-mile "Walk of Britain" at Buckingham Palace Forecourt. 
          Thursday 5th
          •  Attend Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey
            • With Prince Phillip
          Sunday 8th 
          • Remembrance Sunday at Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.
          Wednesday 11th 
            Friday 13th 
            Royal Tour of South Africa & Lesotho - Thursday 26th - Thursday December 3rd.

             Thursday 26th Maseru, Lesotho
            • Meet with King Letsie III  at Royal Palace 
            • Meet with Prime Minster of Lesotho, Dr Pakalitha Bethuel Mosili 
            • Attending the official opening of Sentebale's new Mamohato Children’s Centre
              • Give speech
              • Attended a Dinner 
            Friday 27th 

            (No public engagements)

            Saturday 28th Cape Town, South Africa
            Sunday 29th Cape Town, South Africa
            • Attend the preview of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Chavonnes Battery Museum in Cape Town.
            Monday 30th Cape Town, South Africa
            • Meet Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
              • Presented the Archbishop, on behalf of the Queen, with the Order of the Companion of Honour 
            • Visit Ottery Youth Centre
              • meet young people linked to gang-related crime 
            • Visit Football For Hope, a youth sports project

            December

             (Volunteer 2 days a week:  Ministry of Defence's Recovery Capability Programme)

             Tuesday 1st  Durban, South Africa 
            • Visit The Sharks Rugby Club at Kings Park Stadium
            • Visit Surfers Not Street Children, an organization that provides psychosocial support to street children 
              • Watch lifesaving demonstration.
              • Walkabout on beach
            • Visit the Mission Area Joint Operations Centre at Kruger National Park
            (Releases Personal Photos from 3-month trip in South Africa)

            Wednesday 2nd  Kruger National Park
            • Learn about Kruger National Park anti-poaching project
            • Visit the Southern African Wildlife College
            Thursday 3rd Johannesburg, South Africa
            • Visit to The Nelson Mandela Foundation 
              • Meet Mrs Graca Machel (Nelson Mandela's wife)
              • Tour the private archives of the Centre for Memory
              • Give Speech 
            • Visit Siyabonga Secondary School
              • Meet students from Nelson Mandela – The Champion Within project
              • Meet students from the Queen's Young Leaders Programme 
            • Visit Youth Empowerment Exposition
            • Meet the President of the Republic of South Africa
            Wednesday 9th 
            (Sunday 13th: Article written by Harry for Daily Mirror is released "Prince Harry backs Mirror's Walking With The Wounded Christmas appeal for armed forces heroes")

            Monday 14th 
            • Visit Mildmay Hospital in east London
              • learn about their work with HIV treatment, rehabilitation and medical care
            (Tuesday 15th: Joint Patronage of 100 Women in Hedgefund's Philanthropic initiatives is renewed)
            (Wednesday 16th: Attend Queen's annual extended Royal Family Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace)


            Also Check Out
            Prince Harry - Main Page
            Prince Harry - Patronages
            How We Keep Count of Engagements
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