21 Sept. 2022 – Update: The Viking Ship Hall, Roskilde, Denmark

Whilst the initial ICOMOS Heritage Alert may have contributed to the positive decision not to demolish the hall immediately, and to include it in plans for the new museum site, a number of significant concerns and uncertainties persist and ICOMOS still considers its future to be threatened.

 

[updated]

ICOMOS regrets to report that the Y-Block Government building and its associated artworks, with the exception of the two most iconic murals by Picasso which were removed and stored, were finally demolished in 2020. This disappointing outcome constitutes the biggest loss of cultural heritage in Norway since 1945, and a major blow to its post-war modernist architecture.

During its whole campaign to save this building, ICOMOS Norway was in continuous contact with Norwegian cultural heritage associations, the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on 20^th Century Heritage and the ICOMOS International Secretariat.

On 17 January 2019, ICOMOS again sent a letter to the Oslo municipality expressing its dismay that its previous letter as well as the comments submitted by the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Authority were ignored in the decision to issue a demolition permit. On 5 June, ICOMOS sent a letter to the Picasso Administration drawing its urgent attention to the fact that the demolition permit had in fact only been issued for the North wing, devoid of Picasso artworks, and urged it to withdraw its acceptance of the dismantling of the two Picasso murals – in order to save the building as a whole.  On 5 July, the Planning and Building Office of Oslo Municipality issued a demolition permit covering the entire Y-Block. On 18 July 2019, ICOMOS sent a last appeal to Oslo Municipality calling for the withdrawal of the demolition permit. 

On 26 February 2020, the State overruled a request to defer the implementation of the demolition permit pending the outcome of a private lawsuit brought against it.

On 24 March 2020, the Y-Block was put on Europe Nostra’s 7 Most Endangered List.

As a consequence of the demolition in 2020, the two most iconic Picasso artworks, created in collaboration with Norwegian architect and artist, Carl Nesjar, “The Fishermen,” located on the façade, and “The Seagull,” located in the interior, were removed and stored, in order for them to be incorporated in the new government quarter. Sadly, other artworks inside the building were demolished, after photographic documentation.

Currently, the new government quarter is under construction at the site. As a result, the remaining H-Block will probably lose its position as a focal point in the city.

Letters

17 January 2019, Letter from ICOMOS to The Municipality of Oslo, Planning and Building Office

5 June 2019, Letter from ICOMOS to Head of Legal Affairs, Picasso Administration

18 July 2019, Letter from ICOMOS to The Municipality of Oslo, Planning and Building Office

 

19 June 2018

The ICOMOS Europe Group at its annual meeting in Helsinki was very surprised to learn that the Norwegian Government is upholding its decision to demolish the Y-Block in the Norwegian Government Quarter, in spite of strong international, national and local opposition. In their declaration, the Europe Group strongly urges the Norwegian Government to reconsider its position and seek alternative solutions, respecting the universal values of the Y-Block.

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26 October 2016

On 26 October 2016, a demonstration was held in front of the Y-block to protest its demolition. Musicians performed and protestors gathered around the building. Despite their efforts, State Secretary Paul Chaffey announced later that evening that the decision of demolishing would stand. The Directorate for Cultural Heritage suggested as an ultimate solution that the North wing be demolished, leaving the curve around the H-block intact.

Photo: Lars Lillo-Stenberg performing to support the protest outside of the Y-block on 26 October 2016 © Arve Henriksen

The ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Twentieth Century Heritage (ICOMOS ISC20C), has expressed its concern about the alarming situation now facing the Administration Building at the Izumo Shrine, in Shimane, Japan.

 

Expert ICOMOS members from Russia and Germany have expressed their concern about the fate of the "Red Banner" Factory in St. Petersburg, Russia - in an open letter. 

ICOMOS, on the basis of information gathered by Russian ICOMOS members, the National Committee of Finland and the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Historic Towns and Villages (CIVVIH), wishes to express its strong concerns about the safeguarding of the Historic City of Vyborg and therefore addresses this ICOMOS Heritage Alert to the attention of the authorities of the Russian Federation, and the administrations of the City of Vyborg and Leningrad Oblast.

Update February 2017

ICOMOS International and ICOMOS Austria have sent a new letter to the Vice Mayor of the City of Vienna, Mag. Maria Vassilakou, expressing concern on latest developments - the cutting down of trees in preparation for new constructions; reminding of recommendations made by ICOMOS in March 2016 and renewing its call that "all construction plans should be stopped until the presentation of the WSE study and the conclusion of the necessary discussions that should follow". 

Download the letter by ICOMOS of 10 February 2017

Download the letter by ICOMOS of 16 March 2016

Download the letter of the City of Vienna of 20 January 2016