A tribute to Norway: Fram flies over the Poles

For the first time in history, astronauts have flown over the Poles aboard the "Fram2" mission. The naming of this space project "Fram" was no coincidence; it pays tribute to the Norwegian explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, Oscar Wisting, and Roald Amundsen, who, between 1893 and 1912, reached the Arctic and Antarctic regions aboard the ship "Fram" (which means "Forward" in Norwegian), probably the most durable wooden ship ever built, which is still preserved and can be visited in Oslo, Norway.

At the following link, you can read an article explaining the importance of flying over the poles and why it has not been possible until now. It was published here last April 15th.
 

A chance encounter will take him to Norway, on a thrilling adventure full of action and emotion that will change his life... but also the lives of everyone around him…
“Fleeing into silence”: https://a.co/d/7SUfVb3

The Arctic lightning that illuminates European Football

In the icy city of Bodø, nestled in the heart of the Arctic Circle, beats the heart of a club that has defied expectations and written a golden page in the history of Norwegian football: Fotballklubben Bodø/Glimt. Founded in 1916, this team, known as "The Lightning of Bodø" (Glimt means "flash" or "lightning" in Norwegian), has overcome geographical, climatic, and competitive barriers to become the first Norwegian club to reach the semifinals of a European competition, the UEFA Europa League in 2025. This milestone calls for a journey through the fascinating trajectory of a team that embodies resilience, ambition, and the spirit of northern Norway.
 
Origins and Early Steps (1916-1960)
 
Bodø/Glimt was born on September 19, 1916, relatively late compared to other clubs in the Nordland region, such as those in Narvik or Mo i Rana. Founded as Footballclub Glimt, it had in Erling Tjærandsen, its first president, a key figure who also excelled as a footballer and skier. In its early days, the club faced a lack of local rivals, playing its first match against the Bodø Institute. In 1919, Glimt won its first title, the Nordland County Championship, laying the foundation for its regional prestige.
 
The 1920s were challenging, marked by economic troubles and a morale crisis that led to considerations of merging with Skiclub B. & O.I., an idea that ultimately fell through. However, the arrival of figures like Jørgen Juve in 1929 and the adoption of indoor training in the 1930s to counter the harsh Arctic winters revitalized the club. During this decade, Bodø/Glimt established itself as a reference in the north, winning nine regional championships.
 
The Fight for National Recognition (1960-1980)
 
Until the 1960s, teams from northern Norway, including those from Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark, were marginalized from national football due to the belief that they could not compete with southern clubs. It wasn’t until 1963 that they were allowed to participate in the Norwegian Cup, and until 1972 in the Eliteserien, the top tier. This exclusion fueled resentment in the north but also stoked the determination of clubs like Bodø/Glimt.
 
In 1976, after defeating Odd 4-0 and drawing 1-1 with FC Lyn Oslo, Bodø/Glimt earned promotion to the first division, becoming the second northern team to achieve this after FK Mjølner. Their 1977 debut was spectacular: runners-up in both the league and cup, though they fell to Lillestrøm SK in both competitions. However, instability marked the end of the decade, with relegation in 1980 after finishing last.
 
The Dark Years and Resurrection (1980-2000)
 
The 1980s were the most difficult in the club’s history. Relegated to the second division and even the third regional tier, Bodø/Glimt lost its status as Bodø’s main team, temporarily surpassed by Grand Bodø. However, a revival came in 1991 under Jan Muri’s leadership, which returned the club to the first division. In 1992, with Trond Sollied as coach, Bodø/Glimt achieved a historic milestone: Norwegian Cup champions (2-0 against Strømsgodset IF) and league runners-up in 1993, a meteoric rise that marked a golden era.
During the 1990s, the club solidified its place in the Eliteserien and began making a name in Europe, facing clubs like Sampdoria (1994) and Napoli (1976-77) in the European Cup Winners’ Cup, though with mixed results. These experiences laid the groundwork for future international aspirations.
 
The 21st Century: From Instability to Dominance (2000-2020)
 
The new millennium brought ups and downs. After years of promotions and relegations, Bodø/Glimt hit rock bottom in 2016, dropping to the second division. However, this setback marked the start of a transformation. In 2017, under Kjetil Knutsen’s guidance, the club returned to the Eliteserien, and in 2019, it finished second, signaling the dawn of a dominant era.
 
The year 2020 was historic: Bodø/Glimt won the Eliteserien for the first time, with an attacking style that yielded 103 goals in 30 matches and a 19-point lead over second-placed Molde. This title, the first for an Arctic club, broke the hegemony of Rosenborg and Molde. In 2021, they retained the championship, cementing their status as a Norwegian powerhouse.
 

The Conquest of Europe (2020-2025)
 
Bodø/Glimt’s European breakthrough began in the 2021-22 Conference League, where they stunned the world by thrashing José Mourinho’s Roma 6-1 and reaching the quarterfinals, matching the best campaigns of Norwegian clubs. Their vertical 4-3-3 style and strength at the Aspmyra Stadion, with a capacity of 8,270, became their trademark.

In 2025, Bodø/Glimt made history by qualifying for the Europa League semifinals after defeating Lazio in a dramatic penalty shootout. With 30 wins in 37 European home matches since 2020, the club proved that its snow-covered stadium, battered by -4°C temperatures, is an impregnable fortress. Under Knutsen’s leadership, the team’s mentality has been bolstered by Bjørn Mannsverk, a former fighter pilot turned psychologist, helping players overcome adversity.
 
Identity and Legacy
 
Bodø/Glimt is more than a football club; it is a symbol of resilience in a city of 55,000 inhabitants that experiences the "midnight sun" and endures extreme winters. Its fans, known as the "Yellow Horde," cheer with giant toothbrushes, a quirky 1970s tradition reflecting their humor and passion. With four league titles (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024), two national cups (1975, 1993), and nine northern championships, the club has transcended its humble origins.
 
Today, Bodø/Glimt not only represents Norway but inspires teams from remote regions to dream big. Its motto, "Superlaget" (the super team), and nickname, "Den Gule Horde" (the Yellow Horde), reflect an identity forged in ice but fueled by a fire that lights up European football. As they prepare to face Tottenham in the Europa League semifinals, the Lightning of Bodø continues to flash, proving there are no limits for those who defy the cold and history.

A chance encounter will take him to Norway, on a thrilling adventure full of action and emotion that will change his life... but also the lives of everyone around him…
“Fleeing into silence”: https://a.co/d/7SUfVb3

The 10 Commandments you don’t have to follow

The "Law of Jante" (in Danish, Janteloven) is a cultural concept that encapsulates a collective attitude prevalent in Scandinavian societies, particularly in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. This informal code, coined by Danish writer Aksel Sandemose in his 1933 novel A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks (En flygtning krydser sit spor), serves to explain the ethos of humility and conformity that dominates these nations.

Aksel Sandemose (1899–1965) introduced the Law of Jante as a set of unwritten rules governing behavior in the fictional town of Jante. These rules are: 
 
Don’t think you’re special. 
Don’t think you’re as good as we are. 
Don’t think you’re wiser than we are. 
Don’t consider yourself better than we are. 
Don’t think you know more than we do. 
Don’t think you’re more important than we are. 
Don’t think you’re good at anything. 
Don’t laugh at us. 
Don’t think anyone cares about you. 
Don’t think you can teach us anything.
 
These principles prioritize collectivism over individualism, fostering a society where standing out or excelling is viewed with suspicion or actively discouraged. The aim is to maintain social equality and curb narcissism or self-interest.
 
The Law of Jante has garnered both praise and criticism. On one hand, it is credited with promoting equality, modesty, and a tight-knit community where no one feels "too good" to perform ordinary tasks. On the other hand, it has been accused of stifling ambition, innovation, and personal recognition, fostering a mindset of uniformity that discourages individual excellence.
 
Paulo Coelho and the Law of Jante
 
Paulo Coelho, the renowned Brazilian author, has shared his perspective on the Law of Jante, particularly regarding its impact on creativity and personal success. In his writings and interviews, Coelho has suggested that this law can be detrimental to those striving to pursue their dreams or excel in fields like literature or the arts. Coelho, whose works celebrate individuality and the pursuit of one’s personal legend, views the Law of Jante as an obstacle to self-expression and fulfillment: 
 
Critique of Conformity: Coelho argues that the Law of Jante encourages a form of conformity that can be toxic to creative spirits. He believes the social pressure to avoid standing out may lead to a life of mediocrity, where fear of judgment hinders the pursuit of personal greatness. 
 
Advocacy for Individualism: In contrast to the Law of Jante, Coelho champions a lifestyle where each person has the right and responsibility to chase their own dreams and ambitions, even if it means defying societal expectations. 
 
Impact on Society: Coelho has pointed out that while the Law of Jante may foster more egalitarian societies in terms of social status, it could also limit human potential and diversity of thought—elements he considers essential for progress and innovation.
 
Think, Reason, and Decide for Yourself
 
The Law of Jante presents a fascinating dilemma: How can we balance the desire for a fair and equitable society with the individual drive for personal achievement? While Scandinavian countries have shown they can thrive under these principles, critiques from figures like Paulo Coelho prompt us to consider the potential costs to individuality and creativity. This debate mirrors broader global tensions between collectivism and individualism, and how each society navigates these waters reveals much about its identity and cultural values.
 

A journey through the history of the pharmaceutical industry and one of its great laboratories that had its origins in Alfred Nobel...
“From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca” (Vicente Fisac, Amazon) is available in e-Book and print editions: https://a.co/d/9svRTuI

“Fleeing into silence”: Critical analysis

The novel "Fleeing into silence" has a clear structure, with a plot development that maintains an interesting pace. The narrative alternates between different perspectives and situations, which enriches the story, as does the occasional use of retrospective scenes (flashbacks), although sometimes these might seem to divert us from the main narrative thread.

The story is told in the first person by a retired publicist, Marcos, who has an unexpected encounter with a young and famous singer, Eloy. From this chance meeting arises the idea to organize for Eloy – according to his own wishes – a kind of "publicity campaign for anonymity." This premise is truly paradoxical and challenging because the goal of advertising is to make known and ultimately "sell," but in this case, it involves using all creative imagination for the opposite: providing anonymity to someone extremely famous.
 
Numerous characters parade through the novel, both in Spain and Norway, where they move to so that Eloy can achieve his longed-for anonymity. The description of Norway is vivid and provides a significant contrast to Eloy's life in Spain. The setting not only serves as a backdrop but also acts as another character, influencing both Eloy's transformation and those around him. This experience, in addition to showing us the contrasts between Spanish and Norwegian cultures, leads us into something deeper and more important: the human being. In this regard, Eloy's character becomes a catalyst for emotions and demonstrates – this being one of the novel's strong points – how one person's influence can change lives.
 
As in every story where everything is perfectly planned and no loose ends are left, the unexpected still occurs. In this sense, the plot has several innovative twists that add layers of mystery and humanity to the narrative.
 
The novel explores themes such as fame, identity, authenticity, the impact of human relationships, and the complex world of communication and journalism. Concerning the latter, it reveals what goes on behind the scenes in journalism, which is appreciated since we are always spectators of what journalists tell us but do not know what lies behind the news.
 
The silence that surrounds us when we read a novel will, on this occasion, take us on a journey of contrasts between different cultures and – most importantly – show us the most significant journey we must all undertake: the journey within to better understand ourselves.
 

“Fleeing into silence”: https://a.co/d/7SUfVb3

"Fleeing into silence"

“Fleeing into Silence” is the title of the novel recently published in English by journalist and communicator Vicente Fisac. Every writer harbors a special fondness for one of their books, and for Fisac, this is his favorite novel.

Although this Spanish author has more than 30 published works, “Fleeing into Silence” marks his third book in English, following the historical novel “Life Debt” and “From Alfred Nobel to AstraZeneca,” a book tracing the history that transformed Alfred Nobel’s industry into one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical laboratories.
 
Now, with this new novel—already available in English—readers are offered not only an engaging and thrilling experience (akin to a “road movie”) but also the challenge of a story that leaves no one indifferent.
 
SYNOPSIS
 
At some point, we've all wished for fame, professional success, or at least to be popular within our circles. Fame seems ideal then, but once truly attained, one understands the high price to be paid: goodbye to privacy, the pleasure of doing what one wants, and the feeling of freedom.
 
In this novel, the protagonist has achieved fame too quickly and feels overwhelmed; nothing would please him more than to blend in with the crowd and have time for himself. A chance encounter will take him far away, on a thrilling adventure full of action and emotion that will change his life... but also the lives of everyone around him because this protagonist is very peculiar and never leaves anyone indifferent, not even you, the reader. Don't believe it? Check it out... if you dare.
 
“Fleeing into silence”: https://a.co/d/7SUfVb3