The number of festivals held in Norway has grown considerably in recent years. A complete festival guide is available on www.norwayfestivals.com. The following provides a sampling of what summer 2010 has to offer:
Bergen International Festival (26 May – 9 June)
The Bergen International Festival presents art of all genres: music, literature, theatre, dance, opera and visual art. It is the largest cultural festival of its kind in the Nordic countries.
The theme for this year’s festival is rooted in the human fascination for horror and the desire to explore the unknown and the unsettling. But much of it will be pure delight. The programme includes a wide range of performances from Schubert symphonies to a black metal musical, and an orchestral and choral version of the cult film Koyaanisqatsi.
Øya Festival (10 – 14 August)
The Øya Festival is Norway’s largest pop and rock music festival. Held in the Middelalderparken (Medieval Park) in Oslo, it has been an annual event since 1999. British pop duo La Roux, Norwegian folk singer Lillebjørn Nilsen and Norwegian rock band Motorpsycho are among the artists who will be performing this year.
Hove Festival (29 June – 2 July)
The Hove Festival takes place on the island of Tromøya off the southern coast of Norway. It is a relatively new music festival but has received wide acclaim abroad. The festival is well known for its ability to combine first-rate music experiences with beautiful natural surroundings, camping and beaches. Among the artists playing at this year’s Hove Festival are Arcade Fire, Massive Attack, Muse and Them Crooked Vultures.
Molde International Jazz Festival (19 – 24 July)
Molde International Jazz Festival (Moldejazz) is one of Europe’s oldest jazz festivals. In honour of its 50th anniversary, Moldejazz has commissioned a number of special acts that will have their world premiere at the festival.
The Norwegian trumpet player Nils Petter Molvær is this year’s Artist in Residence. Other highlights of the festival include performances by Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck, Missy Elliot and Bobby McFerrin.