Following Henrik Ibsen's footsteps is now an easy task: On www.exploreibsen.com you can tag along on the author's daily walk down Karl Johan street in Oslo. Along the way you will run into several known characters.
30/10/2006 :: The virtual stage curtains on exploreibsen.com are drawn and we are shown Henrik Ibsen on his death bed. "On the contrary!" exclaims the world renowned author before taking his last breath of air in his apartment in Arbins street in Oslo. On this cue, a tour of a landscape of contradictions begins. The author's signature white beard suddenly turns dark brown and Henrik Ibsen is once again a young man leading us through his long and eventful career.
Everyday, Henrik Ibsen walked from his apartment at Arbins street 1, down Karl Johan street where he passed the National Theatre, and to his regular table at the Grand Café. Rumour has it that he was so punctual that one could set the time after him. We can now tag along with the author on his daily excursion and along the way we encounter several of his characters played by well-known Norwegian actors in today's landscape and surroundings.
On exploreibsen.com Peer Gynt has become a beggar in Oslo's streets alà 2006. The pages of "Catilina" appear at a bus stop. The Master Builder himself is talking on a payphone outside the National Theatre. The monologues are all true to Ibsen's writings and the symbiosis of past and present illustrate the continued relevance of Ibsen's work, even 100 years after his death.
www.exploreibsen.com is produced on assignment from the City of Oslo. The Norwegian website www.opplevibsen.no was launched in April, while the English version was launched in September.
Norweigan Ministry of Foreign Affairs