In 1906, in the innermost corner of a deep Norwegian fjord, a factory was built for the production of calcium carbide and cyanamide. Previously, the picturesque village of Odda had made a handsome living from tourism, attracting passenger ships by the dozens, it was even the preferred holiday spot of the German emperor. This was all set to change.
The factory became the biggest of its kind in the world, spearheading a massive industrialization, which made the village grow into a prosperous town, shipping their products to far-flung corners of the world. Over the following century Odda was developed with funds from the factory to become a shining example of the power of the working classes. Politically, it was a town painted red, with strong trade unions, governed by the Labour party.
Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s it became increasingly clear that the market for the factory’s output was rapidly dwindling, and after a series of attempts to restructure, it was finally closed down in 2003. An important part of Oddas identity was changing.
The images you see here were taken in August 2011, and thus we can catch a glimpse of faded glory in these proud buildings. The past is still powerfully present.