The programme for the visit also facilitated meetings for the Indian guests with some key institutions in the field of design and architecture in Norway. New ideas and interesting common topics immerged out of the meetings. The Embassy hopes to stimulate long term collaboration between architecture- and design environments in our two countries.
The expert trip sprung out of the Norwegian Embassy’s public diplomacy strategy for India as well as the cultural cooperation between Norway and India. Design and architecture is one of the defined arenas for cooperation (For more information please read: /culture/cooperation/cultural+cooperation.htm )
The group of Indian architect experts together with chief architect Kjetil Thorsen outside the Oslo Opera House
During the five day’s tour, the participants visited Oslo, Drammen and Porsgrunn. The expert group, which consisted of Indian architect- and design professionals, one university professor and an editor of an architecture- and design magazine, were introduced to fellow architects, city-planners, art institutions and art- and architecture higher learning institutions. One of the highlights of the visit was a guided tour at the new Opera house in Oslo by the chief architect Kjetil Thorsen. The Indian delegation also enjoyed the visits to Porsgrunn and Drammen where they touched base with citizens and artists and got a good view of Norwegian urban planners.
The participants also visited Norsk Form, National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHIO) and Oslo College of Architecture & Design (Arkitekthøgskolen). The programme also catered for some bilateral talks for the Indian participant.