On Saturday morning, there is a folk festival in Holmenkollen again – when the women’s five-mile race starts. In advance, the police asked parents to look after their youngsters to avoid the folk festival turning into a drunken party. Around 20,000 have made the trip to Holmenkollen on Saturday. And although most are well-behaved, there has been some noise. Fight among young people Several young people started fighting, and some also stormed the barricades towards the ski track. Drunkenness and noise during the women’s five-mile race in Holmenkollen meant that the police sometimes had a lot to do. – Right here where we are standing, someone had left their folk custom behind. There was fighting, and there was also acting out against the police, says task leader Kristoffer Bang. Both guards and police were attacked by youths when they tried to stop the fight. – We have arrested someone, but I do not have the exact number, says the task leader. There are also many who are very drunk. Some so drunk that they have been taken out by the Red Cross. There are also some who have been injured, says Bang. Several are so drunk that they have been taken out by health personnel. – There are mostly decent people at Kollen, but there is a high degree of intoxication, says the task leader. Overall, there is a good atmosphere among the audience in Holmenkollen. These friends had come all the way from Gudbrandsdalen. – We are here mostly for the atmosphere, they say. These girls weren’t too keen on the ski race – but they are clearly rooting for Norway. Photo: Tobias Hovland / news – Most people enjoy themselves and are at the folk festival that has been arranged, says task leader Bang. – Parents can rest assured that their young people are mostly doing well here. The royal family present There is also a royal presence among the spectators. Queen Sonja and the Crown Prince’s family are among the audience. And the retired Danish Queen Margrethe, who is on winter holiday in Norway. Oslo’s mayor Anne Lindboe together with Crown Prince Haakon. The Crown Prince is present together with Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their children. The retired Danish Queen Margrethe is on winter holiday in Norway, and present to watch the five thousand. Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Prince Sverre Magnus stand on the royal tribune. Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Ingrid Alexandra are also present. Queen Sonja together with Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner: the sister of His Majesty King Harald. The king is still admitted to the Rikshospitalet and not present under five thousand. Saturday began calmly, but throughout the morning it is clear that many have interpreted the party quite literally. A man had to be helped by Securitas guards, and fireworks are said to have been set off at Frognerseteren. Many have come to cheer on the runners. While others are focused on the party. Photo: Anders Boine Verstad / news Sleep over at Holmenkollen Axel Trellsgård slept over to secure a place at the folk festival. He thinks it has been quite calm. – I would say there has been little noise. After all, we slept through the night, and there has only been noise twice. When there are so many drunk young people, it’s not so bad, he says. He and his friends have lit a fire and are enjoying themselves on the sidelines. Axel Trellsgård believes that it has been calm, despite the fact that several people have been expelled by the police. Photo: Tobias Hovland / news – I would have liked to see a bit more of the race itself. But it’s not that easy. It’s fun to take in the whole atmosphere, he says. That the folk festival becomes a drunken party has almost become a tradition: Good atmosphere, noise and long queues are nothing new during the ski race in Kollen. The Oslo police take action before this year’s party.
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Folkefest became a drunken party again – despite the royal visit – Greater Oslo
