Alfhild Hovdan
Encyclopedia
Alfhild Hovdan was a Norwegian journalist, and later tourist manager for the city of Oslo
for more than forty years. She is known for initiating the tradition of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
, a present from the city of Oslo to the people of London, in recognition of their assistance during World War II
.
, and grew up in Skien
. After examen artium
she started a career as journalist. From 1927 she worked for the Swedish newspaper Stockholms Dagblad, and for Oslo Aftenavis and the magazine Film. In 1928 she became famous for walking all the way from Stockholm to Rome, crossing the Alps, including having an audience with the Pope in Rome, while a correspondent for Scandinavian newspapers. She also wrote articles on art, theatre and film for the female mangazine Urd
.
Hovdan was appointed secretary for Reisetrafikkforeningen for Oslo og Omegn in 1931, and was manager of the organization from 1932 to 1976.
during the German occupation of Norway. She was arrested by the Nazi authorities in June 1941 for propaganda against Germany, incarcerated at Møllergata 19
and Grini concentration camp, and released in October 1941. She was involved with the activist network "2A", supported people hiding from the Nazis and helped them to escape to Sweden. She had to flee to Sweden in April 1942, where she worked at the Norwegian legation in Stockholm
, in the "Sports Office" , headed by Harald Gram
, which organized underground courier traffic between Sweden and Norway.
While in Sweden, she was among the founders of the theatre group Fri Norsk Scene
, which consisted of Norwegian actors residing in Sweden as refugees.
to London, a present from the city of Oslo, in recognition of assistance from the people of London during World War II
. In the following years she was always present at the ceremony when the tree was cut down, along with the mayor of Oslo. She continued her work as "Tourist Manager" for Oslo until 1976, and has been characterized as brave, dynamic and controversial, being called names such as "The Shrew" and "The Bulldozer".
Hovdan was awarded the Medal of St. Hallvard
in 1967.
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
for more than forty years. She is known for initiating the tradition of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is the name for the famous Christmas tree donated to the people of London by the city of Oslo each year since 1947...
, a present from the city of Oslo to the people of London, in recognition of their assistance during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Early career
Hovdan was born in KristianiaOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, and grew up in Skien
Skien
' is a city and municipality in Telemark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Grenland. The administrative centre of the municipality is the city of Skien. Skien is also the administrative centre of Telemark county....
. After examen artium
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
she started a career as journalist. From 1927 she worked for the Swedish newspaper Stockholms Dagblad, and for Oslo Aftenavis and the magazine Film. In 1928 she became famous for walking all the way from Stockholm to Rome, crossing the Alps, including having an audience with the Pope in Rome, while a correspondent for Scandinavian newspapers. She also wrote articles on art, theatre and film for the female mangazine Urd
Urd (magazine)
Urd was a Norwegian women's magazine that existed from 1897 to 1958.It was named after Urðr, a guardian of the Yggdrasil in Norse mythology. It was founded by sisters Cecilie and Anna Bøe, and Anna was the editor-in-chief until 1933, whereas Cecilie had responsibility for finance...
.
Hovdan was appointed secretary for Reisetrafikkforeningen for Oslo og Omegn in 1931, and was manager of the organization from 1932 to 1976.
World War II
Hovdan was a member of the Norwegian resistance movementNorwegian resistance movement
The Norwegian resistance to the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began after Operation Weserübung in 1940 and ended in 1945. It took several forms:...
during the German occupation of Norway. She was arrested by the Nazi authorities in June 1941 for propaganda against Germany, incarcerated at Møllergata 19
Møllergata 19
Møllergata 19 is an address in Oslo, Norway where the city's main police station and jail was located. The address gained notoriety during the German occupation from 1940 to 1945, when the Nazi security police kept its headquarters here...
and Grini concentration camp, and released in October 1941. She was involved with the activist network "2A", supported people hiding from the Nazis and helped them to escape to Sweden. She had to flee to Sweden in April 1942, where she worked at the Norwegian legation in Stockholm
Norwegian legation in Stockholm
The Norwegian Legation in Stockholm played a significant role during the Second World War. Until 9 April 1940 the legation consisted of four persons, and at the end of the war about 1,100 persons were connected to the legation. Refugee cases were among the legation's most central tasks...
, in the "Sports Office" , headed by Harald Gram
Harald Gram
Harald Gram was a Norwegian jurist, politician and genealogist. He was secretary general for the Conservative Party of Norway for 22 years, deputy mayor of Aker, member of Parliament from 1928 to 1936, and stipendiary magistrate in Oslo from 1936 to 1957...
, which organized underground courier traffic between Sweden and Norway.
While in Sweden, she was among the founders of the theatre group Fri Norsk Scene
Fri Norsk Scene
Fri Norsk Scene was a theatre group consisting of Norwegian actors residing as refugees in Sweden during World War II. It was established in 1944, and was active until May 1945. The group was led by Halfdan Christensen. Among the theatre's productions were Ibsen's play The Master Builder ,...
, which consisted of Norwegian actors residing in Sweden as refugees.
Post war
In 1947 she initiated the tradition of donating a Christmas treeTrafalgar Square Christmas tree
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is the name for the famous Christmas tree donated to the people of London by the city of Oslo each year since 1947...
to London, a present from the city of Oslo, in recognition of assistance from the people of London during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In the following years she was always present at the ceremony when the tree was cut down, along with the mayor of Oslo. She continued her work as "Tourist Manager" for Oslo until 1976, and has been characterized as brave, dynamic and controversial, being called names such as "The Shrew" and "The Bulldozer".
Hovdan was awarded the Medal of St. Hallvard
Medal of St. Hallvard
The Medal of St. Hallvard is the highest award of the city of Oslo. It is named after the city's patron, Saint Hallvard . The medal has been awarded since 1956.-Recipients:The following people have received the medal:...
in 1967.