Voksenåsen Culture and Conference Hotel

Voksenåsen Kultur- og konferansehotell (Voksenåsen Culture and Conference Hotel) is a unique institution combining a cultural centre, hotel, and meeting venue on Voksenkollen in Oslo, Norway. It was established as a national gift from the Norwegian people to the Swedish people in gratitude for Sweden's humanitarian aid during World War II and its assistance in Norway's post-war reconstruction. The property, spanning over 30,000 square metres at 501 metres above sea level, was formally handed over on 9 May 1955 by Norwegian Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen to Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander. The site was originally called Svenskhemmet Voksenåsen (The Swedish Home at Voksenåsen) and was intended as a place where Swedes could experience Norwegian nature and culture. The building, designed by architects Hans-Kjell Larsen and Terje Thorstensen, opened on 1 October 1960 in the presence of King Olav V of Norway, King Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden, and both prime ministers. Since then, Voksenåsen has served as a centre for Swedish-Norwegian and Nordic cooperation, hosting conferences, courses, concerts, lectures, and exhibitions. It is particularly known for its annual Summer Academy for around 200 music students from some 30 countries. The hotel offers accommodation with views over Oslo, a restaurant (Bistro 501) featuring Nordic gastronomy, meeting facilities, a swimming pool, gym, and sauna. Voksenåsen also houses a significant art collection focused on the Norwegian art scene from the early 1960s, including paintings, glass, and sculptures. The institution is owned by the Swedish state through the Ministry of Culture. As of 2020, the managing director was Maria af Klinteberg Herresthal. Voksenåsen remains a symbol of friendship and cooperation between Norway and Sweden, combining cultural heritage with modern hospitality.

Voksenåsen was conceived as a national gift from the Norwegian people to the Swedish people in gratitude for Sweden's assistance during World War II and the subsequent reconstruction of Norway. On 9 May 1955, Norwegian Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen formally presented the property, over 30,000 square metres at Voksenkollen 501 metres above sea level, to Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander. In his declaration, Gerhardsen expressed the Norwegian people's deepest gratitude to their Swedish brothers for help during the toughest war years and the following years of rebuilding. The site was originally named Svenskhemmet Voksenåsen (The Swedish Home at Voksenåsen) and was intended as a place where Swedish women and men living in Norway could experience Norwegian landscape and culture. An architectural competition was won by Hans-Kjell Larsen and Terje Thorstensen. The building opened on 1 October 1960 in the presence of King Olav V of Norway, King Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden, Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen, and Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander. At the inauguration, Erlander expressed hope that Voksenåsen would become a spiritual power centre, stimulating young people's interest in Norway and Norwegian culture and fostering deeper knowledge and understanding between the Norwegian and Swedish peoples. Since its opening, Voksenåsen has facilitated events in culture, society, and language, including conferences, courses, concerts, lectures, and exhibitions. It hosts an annual Summer Academy for around 200 music students from 30 countries. The art collection, based on the Norwegian art scene of the early 1960s, includes paintings, glass, and sculptures. Voksenåsen is owned by the Swedish state through the Ministry of Culture. As of 2020, the managing director was Maria af Klinteberg Herresthal.

• 2020

  Maria af Klinteberg Herresthal served as managing director.

• 1960

  Voksenåsen opened on 1 October in the presence of King Olav V, King Gustav VI Adolf, and both prime ministers.

• 1955

  Property handed over from Norwegian Prime Minister Einar Gerhardsen to Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander on 9 May.

A unique combination of cultural centre, hotel, and meeting place, symbolising friendship and cooperation between Norway and Sweden.

• Hotel accommodation

  Hotel rooms and suites with views over Oslo.

• Bistro 501

  Restaurant offering Nordic gastronomy with seasonal flavours and local ingredients.

• Conference facilities

  Professional facilities for courses, meetings, and conferences.

• Summer Academy

  Annual music academy for around 200 students from 30 countries.

• Art collection

  Collection of paintings, glass, and sculptures from the Norwegian art scene of the early 1960s.

1. 1Nasjonalgaven Voksenåsen - Voksenåsenvoksenaasen.no
2. 2Voksenåsen Kultur- og konferansehotell - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Voksenåsen (hotell) - Wikipediano.wikipedia.org