Asker
Asker is a
municipality in the
county of
Akershus,
Norway and a
suburb of
Oslo.
Its main parts are Asker, Gullhella,
Vollen,
Vettre, Blakstad, Borgen, Holmen, Hvalstad, Nesøya, Nesbru and
Heggedal. Asker is a notably coastal place with many beautiful beaches, but it is also a place of hills and woods. The district is known for many important businesses. It is also known for gardening. The
Skaugum estate, where
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and his family live, is situated here. The first
IKEA store outside of
Sweden opened in Asker in
1963.
Although Asker is principally a rural municipality, the expansion of Oslo has resulted in its becoming an affluent suburb. Thus numerous celebrities now reside in the area.
Asker is also the home of the
Frisk Asker Tigers, who won the Norwegian Hockey championship in 2002.
Asker Skiklubb is a nationally well known sports club. It has a long history dating back to 1889. Many of Asker's famous people have been successful individuals associated with the sports club.
Asker, more notably Blakstad, was a stronghold for the
Baglers, who contended with the
Birkebeiners during a
civil war during the
Viking period.
*
Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway*
Harriet Backer (1845-1932), painter
*
Dina Aschehoug (1861-1956), painter
*
Tryggve Andersen (1866-1920), writer
*
Nini Roll Anker (1873-1942), writer
*
Halvard Hanevold,
Olympic Gold in
Biathlon*
Anders Jacobsen - professional
footballer*
Pål Arne Fagernes (1974-2003), Javelin thrower and boxer
*
Valgerd Svarstad Haugland politician,
Christian People's Party*
Vigdis Hjorth, Author
*
Stein Flood, local door-kicker and Asker's answer to
Chuck Norris*
Hallvard Flatland, TV-host
*
Anders Lange, politician (Founder of
FrP, the Progress Party)
*
Lauritz Askvold, painter
*
Erik Bye (1926-2004), journalist, singer, tv personality
*
Morten Harket, singer in
a-ha.
*
Wencke Myhre, singer
*
Arne Bendiksen, singer and songwriterThe writer/musician
Alf Prøysen and poet
Arne Garborg lived here for a period.
*
Asker municipality's official website**
Asker Museum*
Asker public library*
Asker skiklubb*
Frisk Asker Tigers*
Budstikka (local newspaper for Asker and Bærum)
*
Asker videregående skole*
University in Asker (Folkeuniversitetet) *
Church of Asker
