Opened the Youngwood festival

The Norwegian Wood music festival was launched in 1992 and has been held at the Frognerbadet open-air pool complex for the past 20 years. The festival is among the most popular Norway, attracting world-renowned artists to the stage in Frogner Park. 

The Youngwood music festival was established in 2007 as a cooperative effort between the Norwegian Wood festival and the Cultural Rucksack programme in Oslo. The Youngwood festival is an alcohol and drug-free event that offers culture, music and a festival atmosphere to pupils in lower and upper secondary school in Oslo and Akershus county. The festival is held during the day and is free of charge for the schools that have received admission. The festival can accommodate 6 000 pupils each day.  

Today President Gauck opened the 2014 Youngwood music festival and greeted German-speaking pupils in the festival area.

Luncheon at Akershus Fortress

Prime Minister Erna Solberg hosted a luncheon on behalf of the Norwegian Government at Akershus Fortress in honour of President Gauck and Ms Schadt today. King Harald, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were in attendance.

Meeting with business leaders 

Following the luncheon, the President had a chance to meet with members of the business sector. Mayor of Oslo Fabian Stang hosted the event, which was held in the Munch Room in Oslo City Hall and attended by representatives of Norwegian and German trade and industry. Minister of Trade and Industry Monica Mæland greeted the King and Queen and the German guests.

Reception 

This evening President Gauck and Ms Schadt will host a reception on board the German tall ship Gorch Fock. The ship is moored along the Akershus quay, and the King and Queen, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner will be among the guests on board this evening.

Tomorrow President Gauck and Ms Schadt will travel to Trondheim, where they will conclude their State Visit. Crown Prince Haakon will be accompanying them on their final day, which will include a visit to the Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute/the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Nidaros Cathedral.