Kristiansand – en by i for stor forandring?
Bildeforedrag ved Olav Breen
Ever since he arrived in Kristiansand in 1972, Olav Breen has been photographing the city. Fifty years later, he has compiled some of his best photos—and revisited the same subjects—to illustrate how the city has changed over time.
Using hundreds of photos, he describes some of the most significant changes based on information gathered through conversations with people who know the various neighborhoods well.
There have been extraordinary changes in the municipality. Not only has it grown in size; in 2020, Søgne, Songdalen, and Kristiansand were merged. Parts of Kvadraturen have been transformed, and entirely new residential areas have sprung up in places like Hellemyr, Randesundslandet, Justvik, and Hånes.
The business sector has also changed significantly. Many large companies, such as Kristiansands Mekaniske Verksted and Kristiansand Jernstøperi, have become a thing of the past, while new and important industries have emerged. In addition, the city is now home to one of the country’s largest retail parks.
The cultural scene is almost unrecognizable, and the city has also gained a large university.
But is all progress for the better?
Olav Breen is a retired project manager at the University of Agder and has published several travel books about Southern Norway—and the rest of the country. He will be joined at the photo presentation by his wife Ellen, who will provide music for a sing-along.
