Culture

group were
transported in a
convoy of 24
vehicles. Every
evening, a
mobile stage
was rigged up
at the site where the torch would spend the
night, and local cultural celebrations were held.
The lighting of the flame for the national Torch
Relay took place in Morgedal in the southern
part of Norway. Local arrangements and
ceremonies held along the route were primarily
the responsibility of the various local
communities. The Torch Relay received media
coverage from the first lighting at Morgedal until
the final destination was reached. The number of
spectators to have seen the numerous local
Torch Relay events was estimated to be around 1
million.
The Olympic Charter specifies that the
Olympic Flame shall be lit in Olympia in Greece.
This took place on 16 January 1994. From
Greece, the Flame travelled to Germany,
Denmark, Finland and Sweden, before arriving in
Oslo on 11 February. On its international travels,
the Flame was the central element in the events
held in the mentioned countries. LOOC’s Public
Relations and Information Department organised these
activities in collaboration with the various NOCs.
The Olympic Flame was flown from Oslo to Sjusjøen (just
north of Lillehammer). From there it was brought on skiis to
Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena.
A m a j o r c u l t u r a l e v e n t
The main idea behind the National Torch Relay
was to create an event that reached and involved
as many people as possible. The goal was to
organise a cultural event encompassing a wide
spectre of cultural activities, in a scope that never
had been attempted before. The challenge was to
have each selected local community along the
route present a cultural programme unique to
that specific site. In this way, the entire country
would have a chance to present itself in the
course of 27 November 1993 to 12 February
1994.
It was evident that the key to the success of
the national Torch Relay lay with amateur
organizations and the county and municipal
offices of culture. A council consisting of the
Norwegian Amateur Theatre Association,
Norwegian Song and Music Council, Norwegian
Guide and Scout Association, People in Shape for
the Olympics and the Confederation of Sports
was established. These organizations were 100%
behind the project.
The programmes varied from ambitious,
professional performances in the larger cities
where many of the country’s foremost
performers were hired, to local arrangements
featuring mostly amateur performers.