Week 52 - 2020
Morten Krogvold, Erik Bye, Høvdingen, 2003.
We board the Boat
What do you see in this image? An old man laughing, a sparkle in his eye? A kind of grandfather? Or you might know him; the renowned Erik Bye (1926-2004), known for his many radio shows, TV programmes and folk songs. Morten Krogvold has created a portrait that, to many, encapsulates everything of what Bye had to offer; humour, charm and warmth. There is something playful about his expression. He's a man on the go, but not without seriousness.
The life of a sailor was a central theme in Byes work and a popular theme in the maritime nation of Norway. Life at sea included both good and not so good experiences. This life could not have been easy for those who had to go out to sea, or those who stayed behind. How did they feel about being at sea? The Christmas program «Vi går om bord» (English: We go on Board) might have been a small comfort when it was broadcast on TV for the first time in 1963. Previously, it had only been broadcast on the radio on every Christmas Eve since 1959. The program was led by Bye and brought with it the Christmas spirit. The program intended to create contact between the sailors and mainland Norway.
The TV show also offered heartwarming scenes. In the premier Christmas broadcast of -63, we see Ms Espegren being surprised by her husband, dressed up as Santa Claus, Maskorama-style. He had been flown home from Hong Kong, sponsored by SAS. He was then hidden for a few days before being reunited with his family. Many things could be said about Erik Bye, about Christmas and about 2020. But while 'we go on board', we can let Bye's words speak for themselves: "many things we will meet, and many things we will master. Today, it may be our very best day" (translated from Norwegian).