You might have read this story before, especially if you have been following my Instagram for a while. The trouble with Instagram, though, is that there is too short span of text possible to include in a post. By re-writing and editing it like this, I have the option to include more of the stuff I believe is important.
It was summer. 22nd of July 2011. The nameless male docked the ferry to land at the small island Utøya (I refuse to use his name).
On the island there was youths on summercamp, talking and learning about politics, as they all were members of AUF (youths members of the political Labour Party “Arbeiderpartiet”).
Earlier that day the male parked a car with explosives on the side of the executive government quarter and set it off with a timer. It killed 8 people and over 200 got injured.
Shortly after, he entered Utøya under the guise of being a policeman who was there to inform and protect the youth.
Once upon the island, he armed himself and began to shoot at the kids he saw. Terror soon arose, and the kids started to run in hiding. Some tried to swim across to shore. Many were picked up from the water by passing boats. The male killed 69 kids that day.
After being found psychologically competent to stand trial, the nameless man faced a criminal trial in 2012. He was found guilty of mass murder, causing a fatal explosion, and terrorism. The court sentenced him to the maximum civilian criminal penalty in Norway: 21 years’ imprisonment through preventive detention. This allows for extensions if he continues to be deemed a danger to society.1
Jens Stoltenberg, the former Prime Minister of Norway, delivered a poignant speech to the Norwegian people in the aftermath of the 2011 Utøya terror attack. His words reflected the pain, resilience, and unity of the nation during those difficult times. Here are some excerpts from his speech:
“Suddenly, the peace was broken. We were under attack. First, the government quarter—eight lives were lost. While still in shock, we received the first messages from Utøya. The Labour Party’s youth wing, the Labour Party, and Norway all lost 69 lives that day, brutally gunned down and killed. The young people we lost had their whole lives in front of them—birthdays, marriages, children were still unwritten chapters. They were going to fight for matters they believed in, experience both victory and defeat. Life’s moments of joy and challenges were still on the horizon. All torn away from them. Families lost their loved ones. Many of us lost our friends. Norway lost 77 irreplaceable lives.”
Stoltenberg also highlighted the best aspects of Norway’s response:
“The brutalities of that day also brought out the best in our country. The volunteers who risked everything to save others. The health services that saved the lives of so many. The police and rescue teams who were faced with their most trying moments. The judiciary who firmly believed in the rule of law in the difficult months that followed. The bereavement support group who helped those who had lost their loved ones cope with the sorrow and anger with dignity and care. The ‘rose march’ tribute that brought Norway together and where sharing our sorrow and solidarity only made us stronger. 22 July brought forth what we want to be, individually and in concert. Norway, ‘our little country,’ passed the test. Thank you all.”
Auroras reaction
Rumors among the Warriors and Weirdos is that Aurora had a friend who died on Utøya. A story strongly supported by the statement she wrote on Facebook about the release of "Little boy in the grass" four years later:
"Today is the day. 22nd of July. It's been 4 years since you left us. Since all of you left us. how time flies, we even find ourselves forgetting for a moment, nearly moving on.. Not because we forget you, but because we remember to live. But know that I will always remember you, and everyone that went down with you. I will think of love, and send love to those who needs it this today. I hope no one is crying alone. Rest in peace my friend. You are free now. 'Little boy in the grass'.2 "
Aurora said to the Norwegian radio channel P3 that she actually started writing this song when she was 10 years old, and that she continued working on it before Christmas time in 2014.3 I have found some articles where Aurora talks, somewhat cryptic, about the “Little Boy In The Grass”:
… as for the rest of the EP, made up of 'In Boxes' and 'Little Boy in the Grass'. AURORA explains that "the two other songs are quite weird stories as well! One is quite morbid and the other one is quite sad! …I started to write songs in the first place to help myself get through things… I needed to write them, you know? ...Some of the songs are from my own life experiences, and some of them are from the experiences of people around me. It doesn't really matter if it's my feeling or some other person's feelings.4
...I really like to observe people and I’m very sensitive, so it doesn’t really matter if it’s my own emotion or another person’s emotion, I will still think about it and will keep me awake at night. I am used to write my songs to get all the thoughts and memories off the head so I can move on. Many of my songs are inspired by other people and happenings I see around the world. I can’t really watch the news, it would make me very sad.5
Song facts
Song title: Little boy in the grass
Release date: 4th of May 2015
Composer: Aurora, Odd Martin, Magnus
Producer: Magnus, Odd Martin
Vocals: Aurora
Piano/Organ: Aurora
Synths: Aurora
Drums: Magnus, Odd Martin
Programming/Engineer: Magnus, Odd Martin
Mixing/Mastering: Odd Martin, Magnus, Alex Wharton
Live performances
Fabrice has taken upon himself to make a “Little Boy I The Grass”-over-the-years video. It shows some of the great performances Aurora has done over the short span of years she kept this on her setlist. I encourage you to check it out:
More stories like this
Final words
Saturday morning here in Norway. The sun is piercing through some few, dense clouds. Birds are singing from the trees. I think I will finish this one here and enjoy my coffee.
Have a beautiful day, Warrior 🥰
Rune
Sources
Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Behring_Breivik
11.1 - Aurora on Facebook about Utøya, 22nd of July, 2015: https://m.facebook.com/iamAURORA/photos/today-is-the-day-22nd-of-july-its-been-4-years-since-you-left-us-since-all-of-yo/1101585889869162/
P3 Spanderer: Aurora: https://p3.no/p3-spanderer-aurora/
AURORA interviewed: "I started to write songs in the first place to help myself get through things." - https://www.thefourohfive.com/music/article/aurora-interviewed-i-started-to-write-songs-in-the-first-place-to-help-myself-get-through-things-143 (Article removed)
Aurora and the power of feeling music: https://indiemono.com/aurora-interview/
Hi Rune, I was amazed by your story about the little boy in the Grass. It makes perfectly sense to me that Aurora feels emotion from others that are so powerful that it doesn't matter for her if she lost one herself or not on the Island.
However, it is a few days later now and I am reading your story about Why did you have to go a place... In your story there is a reference to the Interview - a free bird (https://aurora-daily.tumblr.com/post/187579056337/a-free-bird/amp). In the interview Aurora makes it quite clear, see the quote below.
I don't believe in coincidence, your stories coming on my path and me reading them in the order that I do. And then The eight day part. My god. There is a lot going on in my mind, maybe something to talk about later...
QUOTE
«I sang at my friend’s funeral. She was kind, it was heavy.»
There was someone who committed suicide too?
«Yes, a friend of ours from Os. He was good, very good. And then I had one tho whom I was very close who died in Utøya. A boy I was in love with. He was lovely.»
Was he your boyfriend?
«We probably were, even though I was very young back then. I was 15 when he passed away. He was 17.»
The buzz in the room is increasing, but in Aurora’s corner it is quiet. Suddenly she says:
«Eight days after someone I had been fond of passed away, I felt a presence. On every eight day it is if they were still here, and then no more. That’s why track eight is always the title track on my albums. There is something magical about the number eight.»
UNQUOTE