1979 in Norway

← 1978 1977 1976 1979 in Norway → 1980 1981 1982
Centuries:	18th 19th 20th 21st
Decades:	1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s
See also:	List of years in Norway

Events in the year 1979 in Norway.

Incumbents

• Monarch – Olav V
• Prime Minister – Odvar Nordli (Labour Party)

Events

Bryggen and the Urnes stave church are designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

• Municipal and county elections are held throughout the country.
• Bryggen and the Urnes stave church are designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
• The death penalty is abolished for all crimes. ^[1]
• 18 September – A fire in Vålerenga Church, which was later made into a song that became the club hymn for Vålerenga.
• The Alta Controversy continues lead by the indigenous Sámi people, many Norwegians protest the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Alta River in Northern Norway. The protests included hunger strikes, an occupation of the parliament lawn, and other forms of civil disobedience. ^[2]

Popular culture

Music

Main article: 1979 in Norwegian music

Film

Main article: Norwegian films of the 1970s § 1979

• March – the planet Hoth scenes from the Hollywood film "The Empire Strikes Back" were filmed in the Hardangerjøkulen glacier.

Television

• 1 December – During an episode of Jul i Skomakergata on NRK, Sandmännchen premieres on Norwegian television for the first time.

Literature

• Åge Rønning, writer and journalist, is awarded the Riksmål Society Literature Prize.
• Nils Johan Rud, novelist, short story writer and magazine editor, is awarded the Dobloug Prize for Swedish and Norwegian fiction.
• Bjørg Vik, writer, playwright and journalist, is awarded the Norwegian Critics Prize for Literature for the short stories En håndfull lengsel.

Notable births

January

Kari Mette Johansen, Olympic gold medalist in handball 2008 and 2012.

• 1 January – Anders Danielsen Lie, actor
• 4 January – Audun Ellingsen, jazz musician
• 5 January – Håvard Klemetsen, Nordic combined skier
• 7 January – Andreas Hauger, footballer
• 8 January – John Anders Bjørkøy, footballer
• 11 January – Kari Mette Johansen, handball player. ^[3]
• 12 January – Åsa Elvik, politician
• 13 January – Einar Kalsæg, footballer
• 16 January – Espen Isaksen, footballer
• 20 January – Marte Reenaas, ski orienteering competitor
• 21 January – Thomas Berling, footballer
• 22 January – Ailo Gaup, motocross rider
• 22 January – Svein Oddvar Moen, footballer
• 23 January – Jarl Espen Ygranes, ice hockey player
• 24 January – Anita Auglend, singer

February

• 2 February – Olav Råstad, footballer
• 10 February – Johan Harstad, author
• 11 February – Joachim Sørum, footballer
• 13 February – Anders Behring Breivik, far-right domestic terrorist

March

Torbjørn Ringdal Hansen

Tuva Moflag

• 1 March – Torbjørn Ringdal Hansen, chess player. ^[4]
• 6 March – Aksel Magdahl, sailor
• 11 March
  • Roger Hjelmstadstuen, snowboarder
  • Morten Tandberg, football manager
• 13 March
  • Børge Lund, handball player. ^[5]
  • Espen Olsen, footballer
• 15 March – Ola Berger, ski mountaineer anc cross-country skier
• 17 March – Tuva Moflag, politician. ^[6]
• 20 March – Liv Kjersti Bergman, biathlete
• 23 March – Jostein Hasselgård, singer

April

• 2 April – Stian Westerhus, guitarist
• 5 April – Jørgen Tengesdal, footballer
• 8 April – Rune Stordal, speed skater
• 9 April – André Jørgensen, handball player
• 10 April – Kai Risholt, footballer
• 10 April – Roger Risholt, footballer
• 12 April – Thomas Dybdahl, musician
• 12 April – Lars Granaas, footballer
• 17 April – Hanne Hukkelberg, singer-songwriter
• 20 April – Stian Barsnes-Simonsen, actor
• 20 April – Kenneth Kapstad, musician
• 23 April – Saera Khan, politician. ^[7]
• 24 April – Tor Henning Hamre, footballer
• 25 April – Nils-Torolv Simonsen, rower
• 25 April – Martin Sjølie, pianist, songwriter and record producer

May

Ole Morten Vågan

Isabel Blanco

• 1 May – Lars Berger, biathlete. ^[8]
• 2 May – Oddrun Brakstad Orset, ski mountaineer
• 4 May – Morten Kolseth, footballer
• 6 May – Jan Erik Mikalsen, composer
• 7 May – Henrik Bjørnstad, golf player
• 8 May
  • Marius Erlandsen, auto racing driver
  • Alf Wilhelm Lundberg, jazz musician
  • Ole Johan Singsdal, footballer
  • Ole Morten Vågan, jazz musician
• 10 May – Isabel Blanco, handball player. ^[9]
• 14 May – Bård Nesteng, archer. ^[10]
• 16 May – Hermund Nygård, jazz musician
• 20 May – Torgeir Micaelsen, politician. ^[11]
• 21 May – Svein-Erik Edvartsen, footballer
• 22 May – Christer-André Cederberg, music producer
• 23 May – Øyulf Hjertenes, journalist, newspaper editor and media executive. ^[12]
• 26 May – Joachim Hansen, mixed martial artist
• 29 May – Ella Gjømle Berg, cross-country skier. ^[13]

June

Haddy N'jie

• 8 June – Jacob Norenberg, sprint canoer. ^[14]
• 13 June – Nila Håkedal, beach volleyball player. ^[15]
• 21 June – Henning Braaten, skateboarder
• 23 June – Susanna Wallumrød, singer
• 25 June – Haddy N'jie, singer, songwriter, writer and journalist
• 26 June – Mathias Eick, jazz musician

July

Ingrid Tørlen

• 3 July – Erik Lund, rugby union footballer
• 4 July – Lene Westgaard, political scientist
• 17 July – Lars Rørbakken, strongman
• 21 July – Ingrid Tørlen, beach volleyball player. ^[16]
• 24 July – Heidi Skjerve, jazz musician
• 26 July – Bodil Ryste, ski mountaineer and cross-country skier

August

• 3 August – Maria Haukaas Mittet, singer
• 4 August –
  • Torgeir Ruud Ramsli, footballer
  • Mona Solheim, taekwondo practitioner. ^[17]
  • Nina Solheim, taekwondo practitioner
• 8 August – Ellinor Jåma, politician
• 9 August – Tore Ruud Hofstad, cross-country skier
• 10 August – Ove Alexander Billington, jazz pianist and composer
• 11 August – Christer George, footballer
• 22 August – Henriette Løvar, curler
• 24 August – Katja Nyberg, handball player
• 27 August – Erik Watndal, sport shooter. ^[18]
• 31 August – Camilla Huse, footballer

September

Linda Grubben, world champion in biathlon.

• 3 September – Stian Eckhoff, biathlete. ^[19]
• 5 September – Kjersti Beck, handball goalkeeper
• 5 September – John Carew, footballer
• 11 September – Kenneth Høie, footballer
• 13 September – Linda Grubben, biathlete
• 15 September
  • Mahmoud Farahmand, politician. ^[20]
  • Atle Gulbrandsen, racing driver and television announcer
• 22 September – Alex Valencia, footballer
• 23 September – Lisa Loven Kongsli, actress
• 24 September – Stine Hofgaard Nilsen, alpine skier

October

• 2 October – Kjetil Strand, handball player
• 5 October – Lisa Wiik, snowboarder
• 8 October – Wilhelm Brenna, ski jumper
• 9 October – Veronika Flåt, actress
• 10 October – Espen Søgård, footballer
• 14 October – Marcus Paus, composer
• 19 October
  • Ingunn Ringvold, roots singer, musician and songwriter
  • Magne Sturød, footballer
• 24 October – Lise Birgitte Fredriksen, sailor
• 27 October – Tom Hugo, musician

November

• 1 November – Tommy Knarvik, footballer
• 2 November – Nina Ellen Ødegård, actress
• 8 November – Erling Sande, politician
• 10 November – Ragnvald Soma, footballer
• 30 November – Ellen Blom, ski mountaineer

December

• 3 December – Kjersti Annesdatter Skomsvold, writer
• 6 December – Tommy Wirkola, film director, producer and screenwriter
• 10 December – Tora Augestad, musician
• 14 December – Øystein Runde, comics writer and comics artist
• 18 December
  • Tone Hatteland Lima, cyclist
  • Øyvind Storflor, footballer
• 20 December
  • Espen Johnsen, footballer
  • Benedikte Shetelig Kruse, singer and actor
• 27 December – Hanne Sørvaag, musician
• 28 December – Daniel Forfang, ski jumper

Full date missing

• Dolk (artist), graffiti artist
• Morten Morland, cartoonist
• Robert Post, singer-songwriter
• Einar Selvik, musician
• Stein Urheim, jazz musician

Notable deaths

Bernt Evensen, World Allround Speed Skating Champion 1927 and 1934.

Johan Borgen, winner of the Nordic Council Literature Prize.

• 7 January – Thoralf Hagen, rower and Olympic bronze medallist (b.1887)
• 28 January – Elling Enger, composer, organist, and choir conductor (b.1905)
• 4 February – Hans Martin Gulbrandsen, canoeist (b.1914)
• 15 February – Karl Henry Karlsen, politician (b.1893)
• 7 March – Klaus Egge, composer and music critic (b.1906)
• 3 April – Dagfinn Zwilgmeyer, psalmist (b. 1900). ^[21]
• 6 April – Finn Øen, politician (b.1902)
• 17 April – Trygve Olsen, politician (b.1921)
• 26 April – Trygve Stokstad, boxer (b.1902)
• 7 May – Øivind Bolstad, playwright and novelist (born 1905). ^[22]
• 7 May – Erik Brofoss, economist, politician and Minister (b.1908)
• 8 June – Magnar Isaksen, international soccer player and Olympic bronze medallist (b.1910). ^[23]
• 5 July – Rolf Holmberg, soccer player and Olympic bronze medallist (b.1914)
• 10 July – Harald Færstad, gymnast and Olympic silver medallist (b.1889)
• 15 July – Haakon Sløgedal, politician (b.1901)
• 28 July – Steffen Ingebriktsen Toppe, politician (b.1902)
• 6 August – Olav Hordvik, politician (b.1901)
• 24 August – Bernt Evensen, speed skater, Olympic gold medallist and racing cyclist (b.1905)
• 22 September – Tore Segelcke, actress (b.1901)
• 30 September – Johan Johannesen, track and field athlete (b.1898)
• 16 October – Johan Borgen, author, journalist and critic (b.1902)
• 16 October – Olav Svalastog, politician (b.1896)
• 14 December – Otto Monsen, track and field athlete (b.1887)

Full date unknown

• Emil Boyson, poet, author, and translator (b.1897)
• Anders Frihagen, politician and Minister (b.1892)
• Gunnar Emil Garfors, poet (b.1900)
• Jørgen Holmboe, meteorologist (b.1902)
• Rolf Østbye, businessperson (b.1898)
• Rolf Ingvar Semmingsen, civil servant (b.1908)
• Ole Siem, naval officer, businessman, and politician (born 1882). ^{[24] [25]}
• Nils Thomas, sailor and Olympic silver medallist (b.1889)

References

1. "Countries That Have Abolished the Death Penalty Since 1976". Death Penalty Information Center. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
2. Lawrence, William (30 January 2011). "Saami and Norwegians protest construction of Alta Dam, Norway, 1979-1981". Global Nonviolent Action Database. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
3. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Kari Mette Johansen". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
4. "Torbjørn Ringdal Hansen". sjakknytt.no. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
5. "Børge Lund". eurohandball.com. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
6. "Moflag, Tuva". stortinget.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 5 August 2019.
7. "Khan, Saera (1979–)". Stortinget . Retrieved 6 October 2016.
8. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Lars Berger". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
9. "Isabel Blanco". eurohandball.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
10. "Bård Nesteng". olympedia.org. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
11. "Micaelsen, Torgeir (1979–)". Stortinget . Retrieved 6 October 2016.
12. Garvik, Olav. "Øyulf Hjertenes". In Bolstad, Erik (ed.). Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
13. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Ella Gjømle". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
14. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jacob Norenberg". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
15. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Nila Håkedal". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
16. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Ingrid Tørlen". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
17. "Solheim, Mona". taekwondodata.com. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
18. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Erik Watndal". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
19. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Stian Eckhoff". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
20. "Farahmand, Mahmoud (1979-)". stortinget.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 5 October 2021.
21. Elstad, Hallgeir. "Dagfinn Zwilgmeyer". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
22. Bolstad, Erik (ed.). "Øivind Bolstad". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Norsk nettleksikon. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
23. "Magnar Isaksen". SR/Olympic Sports. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
24. Steenstrup, Bjørn, ed. (1973). "Siem, Ole". Hvem er hvem? (in Norwegian). Oslo: Aschehoug. p. 501. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
25. Hoemsnes, Ole M. "Martin Siem". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 27 September 2024.