The memorial day started with a wreath-laying at the government building where
Breivik detonated a bomb last July, killing eight people. A memorial service
was then held in Oslo Cathedral, attended by more than 900 people.
On Utoya, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg warned that Norway had
been too complacent about extreme ideologies before the attacks.
“For a long time we have neglected extremism and these thoughts full of
hate,” he said. “We can’t close our eyes to them any more. We should
counter blind hate with argument and education.”
At 6.45pm, around the time the arrival of the police brought Breivik’s massacre
to an end, the families of the dead gathered on the island released flowers
in the water and Chinese lanterns into the air.
“Steve and I are honoured to be included here to night,” Springsteen told
the crowd. “For all of us who love democracy and tolerance, it’s an
international tragedy.”
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