- The island was never taken from us – NRK

– It’s a wonderful feeling and see that Utøya filled with life. Young and enthusiastic people who are here and will be helping to save the world, said AUF leader Mani Hussaini told NRK after he officially opened camp.

This year’s summer camp on Utøya in Tyrifjord is the other side terror in 2011, and the first with the new learning center on the island. The camp also opens barely two weeks after the commemoration five years after the terror.

Recalls and learn

At the time it was said that “AUF to take the island back.” But the current leader believes youth party never lost island.

– I think that the island was never taken from us. It has been our whole way and I am delighted that five years after it loads youngsters here who blows life in Utøya and taking care of the memory of the 69, said Hussaini adding:

– seeing youngsters here engage and discuss, it is the finest way we can commemorate the 69 at. And I am very proud that we now say that Utøya is a place that represents so much more. It is a place we should commemorate, but also learn.

He explains that just that is why he stressed the importance of Hegnhuset in his speech.

Over 1,000 participants from across the country are expected to attend this year’s summer camp.

Photo: Håkon Solberg / NRK

not the same as before

Over a thousand young people are expected to attend this year’s camp on the island in the Tyrifjord in Hole. But the camps will never be the same as before.

– Utøya and AUF is not the same as we were before July 22, 2011. And we have brought with us. We are an organization that is going to be affected by it, said Hussaini.

– It’s a little special when you walk around here and see the memorial. You see that there have been terrible things here, says Petter Strand Stiberg from Kongsberg.

– Yet I feel that it destroys summer camp. I feel that one has taken the island back, which I think is absolutely incredible brave, explains Stiberg.

– Have found a nice balance

But AUF leader known the uncertainty before youth party returned to the island.

– I must admit that I have been unsure about how people are going to deal with it. That to both have fun, but also remember the sad happened out here, says Hussaini adding:

– But we humans we manage the most amazing thing. I think we have found a nice balance on what new Utøya should be, he says.