ORMØYA / OSLO (Dagbladet): The exuberant and colorful artist Bjørg Thorhallsdottir (49) welcomes Dagbladet with a big smile when she opens the doors to her magnificent villa on Ormøya in Oslo
There are many indications that it is precisely an artist who lives here. The wall is filled with lots of stones in different colors and patterns. As we enter, the walls are filled with works of art and various decorations.
Live in uncertainty: – Terrified
In the run-up to Christmas, Thorhallsdottir has spontaneously decided to redo parts of the living room, and the Christmas decorations have been put aside.
The walls will be covered with patterned and colorful wallpaper, the window frames will be painted green and the floor blue.
She loves colors. It makes her so happy, she emphasizes.
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– A depressing time
We move into the pearl of the house, namely the kitchen. With a good, hot cup of coffee, nuts and chocolate, the 49-year-old uses the opportunity to focus on an important and painful topic.
– I think it hurts everyone in our society who is really struggling financially now, but who is just doing the best they can. Single mothers and single fathers, old people freezing to death, it’s not okay at all. I really want us to have more community, take more care of each other and have more dedication.
ENGAGED: Bjørg addresses several important topics around the kitchen island. Photo: Morten Eik / Se og Hør Show more
– It is a very depressing time we are in. I notice that I get really sad when I talk about it, she continues.
The 49-year-old is good at reminding herself that she is lucky. She is grateful for the life she has.
About love: – Has many suitors
– When I wake up here, especially after I was at “The Farm”, I often think: “My God, do I really live here?”. It is so beautiful here. Then I have a really nice family, absolutely wonderful parents, both alive, healthy and well. I am also incredibly proud of my son, Tolli.
In the last year, Thorhallsdottir has made a name for herself in the TV 2 programs “Sofa” and “Forræder”. In addition to being a burgeoning TV profile, she has her hands full every day with projects that are close to her heart.
BLUE AS THE SEA: Bjørg is fully engaged in repainting the living room in stronger colours. Recently she also painted her kitchen blue. Photo: Morten Eik / Se og Hør Show more
She makes a living from what she is passionate about, namely helping others. Among other things, she runs the course Destinasjon Glede, where she, together with other recognized experts, teaches several other women how to cope with life and get better.
Refses: – Not our intention
In particular, she has a desire to help now that it is Christmas. She has spoken to several people who are terrified, and this year she is lending her house to several women.
– At Christmas, my son and I will be at my older sister Dora and her husband’s cabin at Skrim. So then I just said they could borrow my house and live here.
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– There are many people who have no one to celebrate Christmas with. Many have children, but may not have them this Christmas because some are divorced, others have bad family relationships or no family at all. So now there are at least five or six people from the course who will celebrate Christmas here.
– Been very tough
The artist wants to make this a tradition, she points out.
– We usually celebrate Christmas here, and I just invite everyone who doesn’t have a place to be. And there are quite a few. People think they are the only ones sitting alone on Christmas Eve.
– People didn’t dare talk to me
We move on to the living room in the middle of the renovation chaos.
On one side there are workers working hard to get the wallpaper up on the walls, while on the other side there is a huge bed that she has dragged with her all the way from the island of Bali.
RENOVATION: Just before Christmas, there will be a brand new home on Ormøya in different colours. Here Bjørg is holding parts of the new wallpaper. Photo: Morten Eik / Se og Hør Show more
Nearby there is a green wall filled with grass and various plants. After living abroad for a number of years, she missed all the green. It gives new life to the living room, she believes.
Lighten the veil: – Very proud
Thorhallsdottir sits down again at the kitchen island and pours another cup of coffee and some milk. She looks back on the year that is almost over, and says frankly that it has not been so easy.
– Many people ask if I’m going to find a girlfriend. It has been a very turbulent and tough year, a lot has happened. I’ve really only been focused on cleaning up and getting things in place.
TAKEN FROM BALI: Bjørg proudly shows off the huge bed she brought home to Norway from a holiday in Bali. Photo: Morten Eik / Se og Hør Show more
She will not go into detail about exactly what she has gone through, but points out that she has come out of it stronger.
– I feel that I have grown a lot as a person and it is easier for me to set boundaries. I was perhaps more conflict-shy before, but I certainly am not now.
– Planned funerals and emergency weddings
In addition, she tries to be a good supporter for her older sister Dora Thorhallsdottir (50) and her husband Jan Tore Borgersen (54), who have been through a lot. Dagbladet wrote about their story earlier this year.
– This has nothing to do with me, but it has been painful to see my older sister go through so much pain. She is the most positive person in the world, and I am so proud of her. She’s taking it so incredibly well, but I know it’s tough.
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– We won’t be here on earth for that long, so it’s so important not to take things too seriously. After what happened to me this year, there is another Bjørg entering 2024. I feel so much stronger, it’s really nice.
Many will help
Christmas is close to Thorhallsdottir. Several times she repeats how much she values traditions, Christmas mass and not least going to church.
– Incredibly lucky to have children
The family will enjoy great-grandmother’s red cabbage and Waldorf salad. Every year, turkey and cream gratin potatoes are served, but this time there will also be ribs on the table.
It is topped up with more coffee at the kitchen island.
HAPPY FOR CHRISTMAS: The cheerful artist makes no secret of the fact that she loves Christmas and has decorated the tree in the garden. Photo: Morten Eik / Se og Hør Show more
The conversation returns to the difficult part of Christmas. Never before have Norwegians had such a tight budget.
– All you want is to give your children a present so that they are really happy, and it is so sad that many people cannot do that. It’s far too sad, and I understand that people have a lot of expectations for Christmas, she says, clearly touched.
– Felt a resistance
The 49-year-old himself has given his support to Fattighuset, and points out that there are many people who want to help, especially on Finn.no, several people have extended a helping hand.
– Those who have surplus and are as lucky as I am, can feel whether they want to help someone at Christmas as a fellow human being, she adds.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: The small tree in the garden is spruced up with Christmas lights and decorations. Photo: Morten Eik / Se og Hør Show more
– Do you have any advice for people who are struggling?
– Here I am standing in a very difficult house and having to give advice to people, it feels so wrong. But I have been there myself once, because I lost everything when my husband died. I just remember trying to make the best of what was.
– Never been so nervous
– The most important thing is community and the people you have around you. Focus on that rather than having a perfect Christmas, and remind yourself that it won’t be like this here forever, she concludes.
2023-12-25 10:04:57
#turbulent #year
