The memorial site on Utøyakaia consists of 77 columns in bronze that wind their way down to the water’s edge. Today, several of the survivors, and relatives, return to attend the opening. – I’m wondering. There are many memories that reappear. I think of all those who were killed that day. Eirik Høie Mortensen was on Utøya on 22 July. In retrospect, he has struggled with post-traumatic stress, but now Eirik is happy with life. Eirik Høie Mortensen was 16 years old when he jumped out of the window of the cafe building, got down to the water and went swimming away from Utøya to save his own life. Every time he goes back it is felt on the body. – I get stiffer in the body. It tenses in the muscles and spine. The pulse goes up, says Mortensen. At the same time, he feels a sense of relief after each visit. – For me personally, it is a feeling of mastery to dare to face the fear. For that was where a man tried to take my life, and took the lives of many of my friends. Eirik Høie Mortensen was 16 years old during the attacks on Utøya. Here he is back the following year. Photo: Privat Mortensen hopes the memorial site can help people become a little more aware in everyday life. – I hope it can help create a little more warmth in society. Maybe we can get a little better at looking over to the neighbor and smiling at each other. That we can learn that life is fragile, that it is important to take care of those around us and the life we live. – It has never been more important that we humans stand together and show love to each other, regardless of background. Until today, he has only seen drawings of the memorial site. – I am by no means an architect. This is a simple man from Haugesund’s opinion, but I think it looks very nice and I think the symbolism is very nice, says Mortensen. Few in the class known until July 22 Sisters Savannah (17) and Sydney Svebakk-Bøhn (12) will also be present at the opening of the memorial site on Utøyakaia. Savannah and Sydney Svebakk-Bøhn think it is good that there is a place where one can remember those who died on 22 July. Their big sister Sharidyn was only 14 years old when she was killed on Utøya. They hope people do not feel educated after a visit to the memorial site. – What I hope for most is that people do not stop reading up on July 22 and those who died, because there is a lot to learn, says Savannah. Savannah, Sharidyn and Sydney together in 2010. Photo: Private The girls give lectures to school students on July 22 and what happened to their sister. When Sydney gave a lecture for her class last year, she discovered something surprising. – Only 2-3 in my class knew what happened on July 22, the rest knew nothing. They are concerned that those who were killed become more than just statistics and think they learn too little about the attacks at school. Sydney and Savannah Svebakk-Bøhn lost their sister on Utøya. They give lectures to school classes about what happened on July 22. Photo: Thorvald Aschim / news – It was real people who died. It’s not just numbers and names in the media. It is important that people have someone they can relate to when they learn about July 22 and that is a big part of why Sydney and I tell Sharidyn’s story, says Savannah. Sharidyn’s name is not currently on the memorial. The reason is that everyone in the family should have a say. When the youngest man did not feel ready to make a choice, the family together agreed to wait with the decision. Famous pressure wave Regitze Schäffer Botnen was at the tent site when the actual shooting began. She was 17 years old and came to Utøya for the first time two days before the attack. AUGUST 2011: Regitze was back on Utøya a few weeks after the attacks. She now sits on the board of the July 22 support group. Photo: Private – Shots came past my head. I felt the pressure wave and heard the rustling of the heather as I ran. Together with several others, she hid on a mountain ledge. The attack on Utøya still affects Botnen’s life in several ways. She has post-traumatic stress disorder that causes her to struggle with depression, anxiety and concentration. Regitze Schäffer Botnen was on Utøya in 2011. Here she is with her daughter. Photo: Private She thinks the memorial is especially important for those who lost their children. – It is important to have a place you can remember in peace and quiet with Utøya in the background. It is a part of our history that must never be forgotten, says Botnen. During the 10-year celebration last year, she discovered that the way we talked about the attacks was different than before. – I experienced that people started talking about July 22 in a different way. That many may have begun to forget it a little. Then it is very important to have a memorial. Regitze was back on Utøya already in August 2011. Photo: Private Every time she comes home after a visit to Utøya, she is both exhausted and restless at the same time. – I have good memories from Utøya as well, but that was where the lives of all of us were totally turned upside down.
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– Hope it can create a little more warmth in society – Special
