Norway marks 15 years since Utøya attack, unveils new memorial

On July 22, 2011, a right-wing extremist murdered 69 participants of a social democratic youth camp. Eight more people died from a car bomb.

Published: July 22, 2026, 7:04 AM

Photo: Zhang Yuliang/Xinhua/imago

By Anne Diekhoff, from Härnösand

It was the last July 22 that began in Norway simply like any other summer day — that of the year 2011. Then Anders Behring Breivik implemented his right-wing extremist terror plan and forced the country to take on the enormous task of dealing with it.

Even 15 years later, it is not only survivors and bereaved families who must continue to cope with the consequences. The country retains this traumatic turning point, must refer to it, reflect on it, and view it in a new light. Not everyone likes this; some no longer want to be reminded.

He killed eight people with a bomb in the government district of Oslo — his name is still rarely mentioned publicly in Norway today. He then shot 69 people, mostly young people, during his gruesome massacre on the small island of Utøya, where the youth organization of the Labour Party was holding its popular summer camp.

The association of victims and bereaved families continues to work to ensure that the lessons from the terror are not forgotten. "Democracy only lives as long as we maintain it," warned chairwoman Merete Stamneshagen a few days ago at the unveiling of a new memorial site for the 15th anniversary.

Remembrance as an Obligation

Photo: Tore Meek/NTB scanpix/dpa

An installation by artist Matias Faldbakken now commemorates the terror in the middle of Oslo, directly opposite the new July 22 Center. "Maintenance" is the name of the mosaic with nature motifs in the huge frame, in which a Picasso was rescued from the affected government building after the bomb attack. "Maintenance," Stamneshagen said, is not only the name of the artwork, but an obligation.

She recalled the goals of the association:

• Never remain silent in the face of human rights violations
• Stand up for people affected by hatred and racism
• Never forget the stories and faces of the victims
• Acknowledge that democracy can be attacked — and that the answer must nevertheless continue to be more democracy

The perpetrator's motive was hatred of diversity. In the initial reaction, the country seemed united. People gathered for memorial marches, where held-up roses stood for the answer: more openness, more democracy, love and solidarity instead of revenge — people consoled themselves with pride in this way of handling it.

But one also had to quickly realize that mistakes had been made. A July 22 Commission was established; its final report showed the enormous shortcomings in police readiness and the security of the government district — the attack could have been mitigated in its scale had they been prepared for something previously unthinkable. Consequences were drawn.

Survivor Threatened

What became increasingly clear, and is being highlighted by many sides this year, is how little Norway was aware that the terrorist of that time was not alone with his racist ideas. And how visible the problem of hatred and incitement has become, also through social media.

One who survived Utøya is Gaute Skjervø. Today he is the chairman of the Labour Party's youth organization, AUF. Skjervø now tells the magazine of the newspaper Dagbladet about hatred and threats against him — he repeatedly hears that it's a shame the terrorist didn't do his job better on Utøya. Skjervø is among those who, especially against the backdrop of what they experienced, are politically engaged against racism and hatred. In Norway too, this task has grown over the years.