Oslo - The city of Oslo was slated to expand its collection of cultural buildings including a new museum to host works by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, officials said Wednesday. Pending approval by parliament, the new Munch Museum would be completed by 2014 - to commemorate the 200 anniversary of the Norwegian constitution signed May 17, 1814.
Norwegian Culture Minister Trond Giske, Oslo city mayor Erling Lae and city culture councillor Torger Odegaard announced the plans that also included a new city library and a new art museum.
The planned locations were near the new opera on the Oslo waterfront that opened in April with among others the Norwegian royals, Danish Queen Margrethe and German Chancellor Angela Merkel present.
The current Munch Museum was opened in 1963 and was renovated in 1994. A highly-publicized armed robbery in 2004 of two of Munch's most famous works, The Scream and Madonna, led to its closure for several months to allow improved security measures.
The two masterpieces were recovered in 2006 and recently a special exhibition opened showcasing the extensive renovation work.
Munch, who lived from 1863 to 1944, bequested his works to the city of Oslo.
