Kommentarer til: På Vålerenga

Av: Judy Tye

Judy Tye — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:55:45 +0000

Thank you so much for the photos. My daughter only got to see Valerenggata 1, so it is wonderful to see #7 as well. I wonder what my grandfather Pettersen would have thought if he could see the changes. They left in dire poverty, and made a new home in Canada (later in Brooklyn New York, in Bay Ridge- which was a large Norwegian commnunity). How ironic that Valerenga is now being gentrified for those with money!! Again, tusen takk.

Av: Elin Martinsen

Elin Martinsen — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:55:43 +0000

Judy, even though your daughter beat me to it, I’ve posted some new pictures of Vålerenggata 1 and 7 for you (and anyone else who might be interested), just use the link above this comment.

As you can see, both buildings are still there, but the view from Vålerenggata 1 has changed a lot.

Good luck on your project, let us know if you get a chance to make that documentary!

Eirin Grytbakk

Av: Ikke bare forandring på Vålerenga » Byen i forandring

Ikke bare forandring på Vålerenga » Byen i forandring — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:48:19 +0000

[…] litt over ett år siden la jeg ut noen bilder fra Vålerenga på bloggen. Det var blant annet bilder av et nytt byggeprosjekt, og det likte Judy fra Toronto dårlig. Faren […]

Av: Judy Tye

Judy Tye — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:35:54 +0000

I was excited to see your reply to my message! Yes, that is the wonder of the Internet- I love it.I am a school librarian here in Toronto and I am lucky-I get to teach with the Internet and a Smart Board every day.

Actually, my daughter went to Oslo a couple of years ago to audition for the Royal Norwegian Ballet (no luck unfortunately), and she found # 1 and # 7 and took photos of them, with her in the photos. It was the fist time since my father left Norway in 1926 that someone had been back. It was very emotional to see the pictures- my father had remembered the address all those years (he was only 11 when he left). He used to describe the building to me and my two sisters when we were growing up. I only wish he had lived long enough for me to show him the pictures.

I would love to make a documentary film about a Norwegian-Canadian family returning to find its roots. I think it would be an interesting twist on the immigrant family experience. Before I embark on that venture, however, I must finish my project on Little Norway here in Canada- a book and film treatment. You see, we Canadians have lots of links to Norway.

Hilsen fra Toronto!

Judy Tye

Av: Elin Martinsen

Elin Martinsen — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:11:44 +0000

Hi Judy,

We never expected to get any comments from Canada on this post! This is why I love the internet.

Luckily the situation at Vålerenga is not as bad as it looks from these pictures. Most of the old buildings are still there, and in pretty good shape too. I’m not sure what has happened in Vålerenggata, maybe it hasn’t changed much since your father left for Canada? I’ll bring my camera and stop by next time I’m there, I’ll post the photos here for you.

Eirin Grytbakk, (co-blogger at Byen i forandring)

Av: Judy Tye

Judy Tye — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:04:48 +0000

So I finally find my father’s (Kristian Pettersen) childhood neighbourhood, only to discover that it is under threat of development. Please, please do not allow developers to ruin part of your (my) heritage. What can I do to support the preservation of Valerenga? My father lived at #1 and #7 Valerenggate until the family left for Canada in 1926. Don’t follow Toronto’s example…in the 1950s and 1960s the city tore down hundreds of heritage buildings, and we have very little of our origins left. Be careful….make sure any developments are followed closely so your history is not lost forever!!

Judy (Pettersen) Tye
Toronto, CANADA