Sister City - Moss, Norway

Since Virginia Beach and Moss assumed a Sister City relationship, there have been numerous visits and recognitions on the parts of both cities.

 

In 1978, former Mayor Clarence A. Holland traveled to Moss, Norway. On April 21, 1980, this visit was reciprocated by the then Mayor of Moss, Bjorn Barang, and Harbor Master Henry Hvalgard, both of whom during the City Council Session were presented with a proclamation proclaiming Moss, Norway Day.

 

From June 14 thru June 25, 1990, the Official Moss delegation visited the City of Virginia Beach and participated in events. Mayor Bjorn Barang again visited and the Moss Skolemusikkorps Norwegian Band (consisting of students ranging in age from eight to 19 years of age) participated in a concert for the City Council Session of June 18, 1990.

 

On November 26, 1991, City Council adopted a Resolution which reaffirmed Virginia Beach's "Sister City" relationship and mutual understanding with the City of Moss, Norway. Mayor Barang presented Mayor Oberndorf with the city Flag of Moss and requested this flag be flown on Moss's National Day of Recognition, as well as the Memorial scheduled yearly at the Norwegian Lady.

 

Karin Hals, Curriculum Developer in Church Affairs and the Minister of Education in Norway visited Virginia Beach on a government sponsored, multi-regional study tour of University Teachers in English, Culture and Literature. She was recognized by Mayor Oberndorf during the City Council Session of April 4, 1995.

 

Mayor Oberndorf, accompanied by Kay and George Griggs and 33 delegates, visited Moss, Norway for the Two Hundred Seventy-fifth Anniversary (August 10-14, 1995) of the City of Moss. Mayors and Official Representatives from Sister Cities in Finland, Sweden and Denmark were also in attendance. Moss is the "Philadelphia" of Norway.

 

On October 13, 1995, Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway visited the Norwegian Lady Plaza on 25thStreet and Atlantic Avenue. This was a "brief, but shining moment" in the History of Virginia Beach.

 

The OLD BOYS BAND, who had performed for the 275th Anniversary of the City of Moss, performed two selections for City Council on October 8, 1996. Two occasions were celebrated - Leif Erikson Day and the Nobel Peace Prize announcements in Norway.

 

Last Easter the Old Dominion University Children's Choir, comprised of approximately 50 members, visited Moss, Norway. The RYGEE VOCALIS, the choir from Moss, and The Old Boys Band visited Virginia Beach in October 1996 to participate in the celebration of the Leif Eriksson Festival (October 4-6).

 

Representatives, including Mayor Greta Kant, arrived in Virginia Beach on March 25, 1999, to attend the Thirty-seventh Annual Norwegian Lady Ceremony and in early June, 7 Norwegian boys, 13 and 14 years of age, visited Virginia Beach to participate in Sand Soccer.