The new Viking Age Museum on Bygdøy receives NOK 700 million in grants. But the government has gone for a scaled-down version of the original plans. The total cost is now estimated to end at NOK 3.1 billion. – I am happy that the construction can now start without more delays, says museum director Håkon Glørstad. Håkon Glørstad reacts with mixed feelings, as the government has chosen to support a reduced museum project. Photo: Petter Sommer He still says that the grant comes with mixed feelings, as the government has chosen to go for a compromise. The grant of 700 million kroner comes just over a month after the Viking Age Museum was informed that they had to cut the budget by one billion. But now the government has turned around. – We have now made an overall assessment where the alternative would have been to move back to the start and start the project again. Then we would have lost both valuable time and the resources already put into the plans. This is how Minister of Education Ola Borten Moe (Sp) explains that the government today chooses to increase the funds for the museum. Viking objects saved The new Viking Ship Museum on Bygdøy originally had a cost framework of NOK 2.14 billion. But earlier this year, it became clear that the budget had already been blown up by a whole billion – before construction began. Statsbygg recently presented a report that presented four different alternatives for the museum plans. A note prepared for the Ministry of Education and Research also stated that a billion cut would put the Viking objects in danger. Just over a month ago, Minister of Education Ola Borten Moe (Sp) asked that the Viking Age Museum stay within the original cost framework of NOK 2.1 billion. The government is now proposing a total cost framework of 3.1 billion. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB At the same time as the museum now receives 700 million in grants, the solution is the government now goes for 300 million kroner million kroner under the project it originally had. But the Viking objects have been saved. – The collection will be well taken care of and that is our first priority, but the cuts will especially affect those who use the museum often, says Glørstad. Must cut offers for children and young people Museum director Glørstad is nevertheless worried that the museum will not be able to deliver on all the assignments that were set by the Ministry of Education when the decision on a new museum came. Among other things, the museum was to deliver a good teaching program. In the original plans, there were separate special rooms adapted to school classes, where learning was in focus. – Those functions will not be included in the cut that has been made now, says Glørstad. He adds that there are also uncertainties related to the quality and operation of the museum because more office facilities will not be financed. Borten Moe does not rule out that there may be increased funding later. – If I had been Glørstad today, I would have given myself today to reflect that I have received NOK 3.1 billion to develop the Viking Age Museum, says Borten Moe and adds: – I am absolutely sure that this will be a fantastic offer for Norway, for the tourists and a good experience for school and locals. Construction is scheduled to start this autumn, and the new Viking Age Museum will be completed in 2026. Museum director Glørstad says he will continue to work to increase the museum’s funding. – We are a long way from what the museum Norway and the world deserves.
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The government turns around – The Viking Age Museum gets 700 million – news Culture and entertainment
