About Bergen International Festival

25 May–8 June 2011

23 May–7 June 2012

22 May–6 June 2013

21 May–5 June 2014

Artistic and Managing Director since August 2005: Per Boye Hansen

Under the Patronage of His Majesty King Harald V

Member of European Festivals Association

Established in 1953

The Bergen International Festival presents art in all its guises: music, literature, theatre, dance, opera and visual art. The Bergen International Festival is the largest of its kind in the Nordic countries, with more than 150 events in 15 days.

Nordic Impulses

Nordic Impulses is the signature of the Bergen International Festival. The festival aims to present artistic expression from the Nordic countries, and to become the foremost meeting place for creative and performing artists from this part of the world. Rather than seeking a common identity, we are looking for diversity and differences. The concept of impulses involves initiating performances that otherwise would not have taken place. Our own productions demonstrate that the festival is not only a recipient, but also an important contributor in the international landscape of festivals.

Bergen, the cultural capital of Norway

Bergen nestles amid seven mountains at the entrance to Norway’s fjord country. The city is home to a progressive musical scene, several theatres and a professional ballet ensemble. This is the home town of the world famous dramatist Jon Fosse; Henrik Ibsen was once the manager of the city theatre, and one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the world, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, is located here. The homes of Edvard Grieg, Ole Bull and Harald Sæverud are unforgettable settings for concerts during the festival, when art of the highest calibre is to be found throughout the city.

For more information about Bergen, visit www.visitbergen.com.

Visitors

40.000 (indoor events)

20.000 (outdoor events)

Finance

Income/funding: Approx. 20 % from ticket sales, 50 % from the public sector (the Norwegian State 60 %, City of Bergen 26 %, Hordaland County 14 %), 30 % from sponsorship/other sources.

Artforms

Orchestral music, chamber music, opera, recitals, theatre, dance theatre, dance, children's programme, festival exhibition, outdoor events/street performances.

Festival venues include:

Grieghallen (1500 seats)

Logen – a chamber music hall refurbished in 1997 (500 seats)

Håkonshallen – Royal Hall from the 12th century (430 seats)

Bergen National Theatre (DNS) – three auditoriums (80–450 seats)

St. John’s Church (900 seats) and the mediaeval churches in Bergen

Troldsalen (200 seats) and the Villa (85 seats) at Troldhaugen – home of composer Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)

Siljustøl – home of composer Harald Sæverud (1897–1992) (60 seats)

Lysøen (90 seats) and Valestrand (75 seats) – homes of violinist Ole Bull (1810–1880)

Theatre performances at other venues in Bergen

Outdoor events in the city centre