Summer is slowly coming to an end. As sad as it is to utter these words, the summer holiday is over, and it is time to get back into the daily routines of school, work, assignments and, later in the semester, exams. But before that, let’s look back at the past few weeks and what this summer has brought us.
The summer of 2026 has been one of many milestones and commemorations. It has been 15 years since the July 22 attacks and 60 years since Dyreparken in Kristiansand opened its doors to the public. Unikum celebrated its 25th anniversary in February, and this semester marks the beginning of our second quarter-century of monthly editions. Here’s to 25 more years. It is also a historic semester for UiA, as the first psychology students in Southern Norway begin their studies.
And then there is the elephant in the room: the Football World Cup. Norway’s men’s football team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, sparking a football frenzy across a country already on a footballing high. Norway eventually reached the quarter-finals before losing to England, but along the way, they captured the hearts of people across the whole world. From the iconic “RO!” celebration to Haaland’s funny interviews, it felt like everyone was cheering for Norway.
It was heartwarming to watch the country come together and celebrate not only its players, but also what it means to be Norwegian. Whether you are from Oslo or Bodø, have immigrant parents or were born outside the country, for those 90 minutes, differences seemed to matter a little less. That sense of unity and togetherness was refreshing to see.
But it also showed something else: people can come together and support a common cause. And if we can create this much enthusiasm around football, imagine what even a fraction of that support could mean for local culture, journalism, volunteer organizations or the arts. There are countless areas that are underfunded or simply depend on people choosing to show up. Just as people gathered and spent money to support and celebrate football, we should also support our local artists, cultural events and organizations. Dirty Old Town Live, a festival Unikum visited this summer, will not return next year after suffering financial losses. And that is just one example among many. So go to a concert. Read your local newspaper. Visit an exhibition. Support a volunteer organization. Small actions matter, and they help keep the things we value alive.
To all the new students in Agder: welcome. I wish you good luck and all the best in your studies. I hope you enjoy Sørlandet, meet lifelong friends and make unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to enjoy student life too. Life is not just about grades, assignments and exams. For many of you, this will be one of the most memorable periods of your lives, so make the most of it.
And perhaps that is a good reminder for the semester ahead: communities do not simply exist on their own. They depend on people showing up, participating and caring. Unikum is no different. This newspaper is made by students, for students, and it only gets better when students read it, contribute to it and make it their own. So whether you are returning to Unikum or picking up the newspaper for the first time, welcome. Grab a new edition every month, follow us on social media and spend time with your friends.
Have a good semester, everyone!
