Frida Kahlo at the National Museum

The latest news from Oslo over the past 48 hours, in Oslo county, has been marked by a major cultural announcement: Nasjonalmuseet will host a large Frida Kahlo exhibition, described as one of its most significant initiatives. Politically, Oslo City Council has approved the raising of the Palestinian flag on 29 November. In healthcare, a new secure psychiatric unit has opened in Ila, while an abuse case at a home for children with disabilities has sparked outrage. Human interest stories, including the discovery of a sixth dead cat, are grouped together at the end of the article.

Culture: Oslo news showcases Frida Kahlo at the Nasjonalmuseet

Among the Oslo news of the past 48 hours, the Nasjonalmuseet announced a major exhibition devoted to Frida Kahlo, titled « Frida Kahlo. Mellom verdener » (“Between Worlds”). Presented as one of the museum's largest initiatives, it will bring together key works by the Mexican artist through close international collaboration. “Frida Kahlo is a fantastic artist, and we wanted to show the entire universe that shaped her. The Mexico that formed her, with its identity, its culture and its politics, because we believe these are important stories for our time,” said Ingrid Røynesdal, director of the Nasjonalmuseet, to NRK (NRK Oslo).

The exhibition aims to present a broad range of Kahlo's work and is expected to rank among the most significant European presentations of her work ever staged. “We are proud to be able to present a comprehensive selection of Frida Kahlo's art in what will be one of the largest presentations of her work in Europe,” added Ingrid Røynesdal (NRK Oslo). The exact dates have not been specified, but the announcement confirms the Oslo museum's determination to offer leading cultural events.

Local politics: the Palestinian flag will fly over Oslo City Hall

Oslo City Council’s affairs committee gave the go-ahead on Monday afternoon to raising the Palestinian flag over City Hall on 29 November, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The decision was secured with the support of Venstre and the red-green left parties (NRK Oslo).

This year, the Arbeiderpartiet (Ap) got ahead of Rødt by proposing the flag be raised. Ap believes this decision is particularly appropriate in 2026, as the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded in the same place two weeks later. The prize is being awarded to the former chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. Since 2022, Rødt has proposed raising the flag every year, a proposal that has always won a majority, with varying political alliances. In 2023, the debates were particularly heated (NRK Oslo).

Health: a new secure psychiatric unit in Ila

A new security unit for psychiatric patients opened in Ila, near Oslo, two weeks ago. Located next to Ila prison and Ila detention facility, it is designed for people with serious mental disorders who require long-term treatment and have restricted freedom. Around half of the patients are under compulsory psychiatric care (NRK Oslo).

“This is a clear modernization and improvement of the services for some of the most vulnerable patients we have,” said Bjørn Atle Rein Bjørnbeth, CEO of Oslo University Hospital (Oslo universitetssykehus), to NRK. The unit replaces beds that were previously located at Dikemark and Gaustad. “This is also an expansion of the services,” he added (NRK Oslo). The building, named Nedre Ila, cost 2.1 billion Norwegian kroner, according to the magazine Sykepleien. The aim is to consolidate activities and provide care to patients in a suitable environment.

Child protection: outrage after revelations about an Oslo care home

Revelations in a television documentary about a care home for children and young adults with developmental disorders in Oslo prompted a strong reaction. City councillor for health, Oluf Ulseth (H), told the city council on Monday of what he described as a serious matter. In a note to the Health and Social Committee, he mentioned “violence and the use of restraint, and highly degrading language” (NRK Oslo).

“I am outraged and reacting very strongly to what has been revealed about this care home,” said Karl Haakon Sævold, chair of the Oslo branch of the Norwegian Association of Disabled Persons (Norges Handikapforbund Oslo) and chair of the city’s Disabled Persons Council. He was responding to the information broadcast by NRK on Monday (NRK Oslo). The matter was brought before the city council and could lead to oversight and monitoring measures.

📌 Local briefs

Oslo police are investigating the discovery of a sixth dead cat in the Holmen area, in western Oslo. The animal had injuries that may have been inflicted by a human. The body was found by its owner on Monday 26 October, after going missing on Sunday afternoon. Since August, six cats have been found dead or mutilated in western Oslo and Bærum. “The preliminary findings suggest that it is likely that these cats were injured by a human with a sharp object,” police lawyer Cecilie Gulnes said (NRK Oslo).

Meanwhile, thousands of people celebrated gaining Norwegian citizenship at a ceremony in Oslo, according to The Local Norway. The event, which was not detailed in the available sources, marks a symbolic step for the new citizens (The Local Norway).

Sources: NRK Oslo, Aftenposten, The Local Norway — Period: 03 November 2026 and 04 November 2026