In 2015, Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova had two of her paintings stolen from a gallery in the Norwegian capital Oslo. Months later, a surprising encounter with one of the thieves in the courtroom led to an enduring friendship between the painter and the thief. As their friendship evolved, Karl-Bertil Nordland became not just Barbora’s friend, but also her muse. And as Karl-Bertil overcame his drug addiction, Barbora went on a quest to try to find out what had happened to her missing paintings.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Emily Webb 
Producer: Kayleen Devlin

Picture: Barbora and Karl hugging in front of her painting of Karl 
Credit: Medieoperatørene, photographer: Kristoffer Kumar

In 2015, Czech artist Barbora Kysilkova had two of her paintings stolen from a gallery in the Norwegian capital Oslo. Months later, a surprising encounter with one of the thieves in the courtroom led to an enduring friendship between the painter and the thief. As their friendship evolved, Karl-Bertil Nordland became not just Barbora’s friend, but also her muse. And as Karl-Bertil overcame his drug addiction, Barbora went on a quest to try to find out what had happened to her missing paintings. Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com Presenter: Emily Webb Producer: Kayleen Devlin Picture: Barbora and Karl hugging in front of her painting of Karl Credit: Medieoperatørene, photographer: Kristoffer Kumar

Making friends with the man who stole my paintings

<p>Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. 
 
Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. 
 
Our guests come from every corner of the globe: from Burundi to Beverly Hills, New Zealand to North Korea, Rajasthan to Rio. And their stories can be about anything: tales of survival, humour, resilience and intrigue. From the mind-blowing account of the Japanese man trapped in his own reality TV show, to the Swedish women rescued from lions by a tin of spam. It’s life’s wild side, in stereo. </p><p>Lives Less Ordinary is brought to you by the team behind Outlook, the home of true life storytelling on BBC World Service radio for nearly 60 years.
 
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Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Our guests come from every corner of the globe: from Burundi to Beverly Hills, New Zealand to North Korea, Rajasthan to Rio. And their stories can be about anything: tales of survival, humour, resilience and intrigue. From the mind-blowing account of the Japanese man trapped in his own reality TV show, to the Swedish women rescued from lions by a tin of spam. It’s life’s wild side, in stereo. Lives Less Ordinary is brought to you by the team behind Outlook, the home of true life storytelling on BBC World Service radio for nearly 60 years. Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784 You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice

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