Holmenkollen seeks to regain its festival spirit

The latest news from Oslo over the past 48 hours: Skiforbundet has announced measures to regain control of the Holmenkollen folk festival after scenes of heavy drinking and drug use during the cross-country skiing events. In Oslo County, the debate over an illustrated manual for Muslim children and the nomination of Høyre’s candidate in Bærum, the municipality bordering Akershus, round out the local agenda.

Holmenkollen: at the heart of Oslo’s news, Skiforbundet wants to win back the public

Terje Lund, the events manager at Skiforbundet, told NRK Oslo that they needed to “revive the popular festival”. The aim is to bring the public back to Holmenkollen in Oslo County. Skiforbundet acknowledges a downward trend over several years and says it must take action. (NRK Oslo)

The findings are based on documented incidents. In 2024, Swedish commentator Tomas Petterson, quoted by NRK, described the event as a “youth drinking world championship”. The Swedish daily Aftonbladet had reported cocaine consumption 15 metres from the ski course. That year, 50 people were ejected and more than 100 young people needed Red Cross assistance, most of them aged 16 to 20. (NRK Oslo)

Skiforbundet says these problems have become routine at every cross-country skiing event in Holmenkollen. The organisation says it does not want to allow this trend to take hold and refers to “challenges in the marka” that it intends to address. The specific measures were not detailed in the NRK Oslo report, but management accepts that organisational changes are needed to restore the spirit of the popular festival. (NRK Oslo)

Society: A manual for 6-year-olds sparks reaction from the Barneombudet

The debate centers around a manual published in April by the Islamsk Råd Norge (IRN). Intended for 6-year-old children, the book aims to teach them more about Islam, honesty and respect. Several illustrated girls are wearing the hijab, prompting a reaction from the Barneombudet. (NRK Oslo)

Mina Gerhardsen of the Barneombudet believes the illustrations should show greater diversity. She fears that the images may place pressure on young girls to cover their hair. However, the Barneombudet emphasizes that it does not consider the book dangerous in itself. The institution points out that religious practice takes many forms and that teaching materials should reflect this. The story was first revealed by Utrop before being picked up by NRK Oslo. (NRK Oslo)

Politics: Bærum, a neighbouring municipality, nominates its Høyre candidate

In Bærum, a municipality in Akershus located west of Oslo, Haakon Sandven was unanimously chosen as Høyre’s candidate for mayor at Monday’s nomination meeting. Aged 51 and originally from Jar, he becomes the party’s candidate for the upcoming elections. Lisbeth Hammer Krog, who has been mayor for Høyre for four terms, declined to seek re-election. (NRK Oslo)

“First of all, I am very happy and grateful for the confidence the party has shown me tonight,” Haakon Sandven said. He added that he is following Lisbeth Hammer Krog’s candidacy with respect: “She has done a very good job, and those are big shoes to fill.” (NRK Oslo)

The report recalls that Bærum has been a Høyre stronghold since 1952: the Høyre candidate for mayor traditionally secures the position there. The editor-in-chief for society at the local newspaper Budstikka, Dag Otter Johansen, is quoted to shed light on this tradition. Sandven’s nomination therefore represents a continuation of local political continuity west of Oslo county. (NRK Oslo)

What to know about the latest news in Oslo

For Oslo County, the most consequential issue remains Holmenkollen: the Skiforbundet wants to change the format of a sporting event that has become a symbol of disorder. The debate over Islamsk Råd Norge’s handbook shows how a publication aimed at young children can spark nationwide discussion about representation and social pressure. In Bærum, local politics continues to follow the nominations cycle without shifting into an unpredictable election. (NRK Oslo)

These three stories make up an Oslo news cycle shaped by the organization of a major event, educational issues, and the political life of the western crown. Crime and miscellaneous news do not dominate the period covered. (NRK Oslo)

Sources: NRK Oslo, Aftenposten, The Local Norway — Period: 09 November 2026 and 10 November 2026