The traditional free event at Torgallmenningen marks the start of the 2025 Bergen International Festival.

On stage, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra will perform, there will be speeches for the occasion and the traditional singing of Nystemten and the Norwegian national anthem Ja, vi elsker.

'It is with great pleasure that we can confirm that Her Majesty Queen Sonja will attend the opening day of the Bergen International Festival 2025,' says Festival Director Lars Petter Hagen.

This year's Festival offers 15 days of experiences for thousands of people – on, in front of, and behind the stage – with around half of the events being free of charge.

A warm welcome to the opening of the 73rd edition of the Bergen International Festival!

Schedule

11:30
The area at Torgallmenningen with seating opens.

12:10
Her Majesty The Queen arrives at The Blue Stone, and Kongekorpset performs.

The live stream begins, and will be streamed on this webpage.

12:30
The Bergen International Festival opening ceremony begins on the Torgallmenningen stage:
The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Grete Pedersen and featuring soloists, will perform music by Grieg, Stravinsky, Schubert, and Beethoven.
Minister of Culture and Equality, Lubna Jaffery, and the Mayor of Bergen, Marit Warncke, will give speeches.
Ja, vi elsker and Udsigter fra Ulriken (Nystemten) – with lead singers from the stage.

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Image at top: Prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the 2024 opening ceremony (photo: Synne S. B. Bønes)

Practical information

• Seating available. Arrive early in order to secure a seat.

• The use of umbrellas is not permitted on the premises.

• The opening ceremony will be streamed on fib.no.

Recommended age

All ages

Language

• Performed in Norwegian​

• Sign language interpretation available

Contributors

• Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

• Grete Pedersen conductor

• Hanne Marit Mordal Iversen, Maria Haukenes Malmedal, Ian Marcus Bjørsvik, Andreas Jansson song

• Tarjei Strøm host

• Kongekorpset:

• Midtun Skoles Musikkorps
  Marius Fevang Thorstensen conductor

• Samnanger Skulemusikklag
  Per-Lorentz Milotzki conductor

Programme

• Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
  Preludium, From Holberg's time, Op. 40

• Igor Stravinskij (1882-1971)
  Pulcinella Suite – 1. Sinfonia

• Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
  Once Upon a Time, Op. 71, No. 1
  Arr. Grete Pedersen

• Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)
  The Last Spring, Op. 33 No. 2
  Arr. Thomas Beck and Grete Pedersen

• Speech by the Minister og Culture and Equality

• Rikard Nordraak (1842–1866), Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1832–1910)
  Ja, vi elsker dette landet

• Luciano Berio (1925-2003) / Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
  Rendering – 1st Movement: Allergo

• Speech by the Mayor of Bergen

• Johan Nordahl Brun (1745-1816), Johan Halvorsen (1864-1935), Jean-Babtiste Lully (1632–1687)
  Nystemten (Udsigter fra Ulriken)

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1847)
  Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Fate Symphony, 4th Movement

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