Nobel Peace Center
Encyclopedia
Nobel Peace Center is a showcase for the Nobel Peace Prize
and the ideals it represents. The Center is also an arena where culture and politics merge to promote involvement, debate and reflection around topics such as war, peace and conflict resolution.
The Center presents the Nobel Peace Prize laureates and their work, in addition to telling the story of Alfred Nobel
and the other Nobel prizes. This is done using multimedia and interactive technology, exhibitions, meetings, debates, theater, concerts and conferences, as well as a broad educational program and regular guided tours.
The Nobel Peace Center is a foundation and part of a network of Nobel institutions represented externally by the Nobel Foundation
, which also administers informational activities and arrangements surrounding the presentation of the Nobel Prize. Bente Erichsen
is director of the Nobel Peace Center. Geir Lundestad
is chairman of the Center’s board, which is appointed by the Norwegian Nobel Committee
.
The Nobel Peace Center was opened in 2005 by HRH King Harald V of Norway
in a ceremony attended by the royal families of Norway and Sweden. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai
was also present. The Center has since welcomed more than 400,000 visitors (as of 1 October 2009). The Nobel Peace Center is located in the former Oslo Vestbanestasjon
(Oslo West railway station) building dating from 1872, which ceased to be used as a railway station in 1989. It is located close to the Oslo City Hall
and overlooking the harbor, where the Nobel Peace Prize
Award Ceremony takes place every 10 December, to commemorate Alfred Nobel’s death.
British architect David Adjaye
is responsible for the Center’s creative design, including its color schemes; the American designer David Small developed its hi-tech installations. The Nobel Peace Center is financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture, private sponsors and admission fees. Temporary exhibitions are fully sponsored.
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
and the ideals it represents. The Center is also an arena where culture and politics merge to promote involvement, debate and reflection around topics such as war, peace and conflict resolution.
The Center presents the Nobel Peace Prize laureates and their work, in addition to telling the story of Alfred Nobel
Alfred Nobel
Alfred Bernhard Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, innovator, and armaments manufacturer. He is the inventor of dynamite. Nobel also owned Bofors, which he had redirected from its previous role as primarily an iron and steel producer to a major manufacturer of cannon and other armaments...
and the other Nobel prizes. This is done using multimedia and interactive technology, exhibitions, meetings, debates, theater, concerts and conferences, as well as a broad educational program and regular guided tours.
The Nobel Peace Center is a foundation and part of a network of Nobel institutions represented externally by the Nobel Foundation
Nobel Foundation
The Nobel Foundation is a private institution founded on 29 June 1900 to manage the finances and administration of the Nobel Prizes. The Foundation is based on the last will of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite....
, which also administers informational activities and arrangements surrounding the presentation of the Nobel Prize. Bente Erichsen
Bente Erichsen
Bente Erichsen is a Norwegian culture director and the current Director of the Nobel Peace Center.A former journalist and commercials producer, Erichsen started her career as feature film producer in 1979...
is director of the Nobel Peace Center. Geir Lundestad
Geir Lundestad
Geir Lundestad is a Norwegian historian, who serves as the director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute. In this capacity, he also serves as the secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. However, he is not a member of the committee itself....
is chairman of the Center’s board, which is appointed by the Norwegian Nobel Committee
Norwegian Nobel Committee
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awards the Nobel Peace Prize each year.Its five members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament and roughly represent the political makeup of that body.-History:...
.
The Nobel Peace Center was opened in 2005 by HRH King Harald V of Norway
Harald V of Norway
Harald V is the king of Norway. He succeeded to the throne of Norway upon the death of his father Olav V on 17 January 1991...
in a ceremony attended by the royal families of Norway and Sweden. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai
Wangari Muta Mary Jo Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was educated in the United States at Mount St. Scholastica and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Nairobi in Kenya...
was also present. The Center has since welcomed more than 400,000 visitors (as of 1 October 2009). The Nobel Peace Center is located in the former Oslo Vestbanestasjon
Oslo Vestbanestasjon
Oslo West Station or Oslo V, is a former railway station located in Vika in Oslo, Norway. It was the terminus of the Drammen Line between 1872 and 1980, until the Oslo Tunnel opened. The station remained in use until 1989, when all traffic was moved to the new Oslo Central Station...
(Oslo West railway station) building dating from 1872, which ceased to be used as a railway station in 1989. It is located close to the Oslo City Hall
Oslo City Hall
Oslo City Hall houses the city council, city administration, and art studios and galleries. The construction started in 1931, but was paused by the outbreak of World War II, before the official inauguration in 1950. Its characteristic architecture, artworks and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, held...
and overlooking the harbor, where the Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
Award Ceremony takes place every 10 December, to commemorate Alfred Nobel’s death.
British architect David Adjaye
David Adjaye
David Adjaye OBE is a British architect.-Early life:David Adjaye was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The son of a Ghanaian diplomat who has lived in Tanzania, Egypt, Yemen and Lebanon before moving to Britain at the age of nine, he led a privileged life and was privately educated...
is responsible for the Center’s creative design, including its color schemes; the American designer David Small developed its hi-tech installations. The Nobel Peace Center is financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture, private sponsors and admission fees. Temporary exhibitions are fully sponsored.