Maria-Leena Hakkarainen, the manager of a newly opened restaurant in Kongsvinger, Norway, recently received an unexpected preview of public reaction to her establishment – a viral video showcasing the interior and menu posted to Facebook. The video, published on February 21, 2026, quickly garnered 171 reactions and 7 shares, offering a glimpse into the local anticipation for the new dining option.
Glåmdalen, a local newspaper based in Kongsvinger, was granted exclusive access to film the restaurant prior to its official opening, according to the Facebook post. The newspaper, established in 1926 as Kongsvinger Arbeiderblad, has a long history of covering the region, initially with ties to the Norwegian Labour Party before becoming non-partisan. Today, Glåmdalen is owned 100% by Amedia and publishes in both print and digital formats.
The restaurant’s location in Kongsvinger places it within Glåmdalen’s primary coverage area, which includes Kongsvinger itself, as well as several surrounding municipalities: Sør-Odal, Nord-Odal, Eidskog, Grue, Åsnes, Våler in Innlandet, and Nes in Akershus. Glåmdalen’s digital presence, established in 2000, complements its traditional print editions, which are published three days a week. The newspaper also produces podcasts, including those focused on local history, and sports.
In 2011, Glåmdalen received the World Young Reader Prize from WAN/IFRA in the Public Service category, recognizing its efforts to engage younger audiences. A 2016 study noted Glåmdalen’s relatively infrequent use of the term “Negro” in its reporting between 1970 and 2014, with only 14 documented instances. Circulation figures for Glåmdalen have fluctuated in recent years, declining from 18,531 in 2010 to 16,523 in 2013, and further to 15,424 in 2014.
Glåmdalen’s roots trace back to the newspaper Glommendalen, founded in 1885. The current daily leader of Glåmdalen AS is Thor Sørum-Johansen, with Renate Nymo serving as the chair of the board. The newspaper has also played a role in the careers of prominent Norwegian authors, including Rolf Jacobsen and Hans Børli, with Jacobsen assisting Børli in publishing his early work in Kongsvinger Arbeiderblad.
As of the fourth quarter of 2023, Glåmdalen reported an average of 36,054 daily readers across its online and print platforms, according to data from the Mediebedriftenes Landsforening.
