European festivals Association

The Bergen International Festival (Festspillene i Bergen) was established in 1953 and is the largest of its kind in the Nordic countries. It is the longest standing and the foremost music and theatre festival in Norway.

With a combination of dramatic landscapes, local colour and imaginative programming,  the festival is well established as a centre for the northern European arts scene, presenting premieres and new productions in the spheres of music, opera, theatre and dance. Each year over 400 events are staged in the course of 15 days in over 70 venues, including the homes of Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull. Bergen International Festival is Scandinavias largest and most important festival of its' kind.

Classical music and the theatre are cornerstones of the festival, and every year new productions are presented in collaboration with international partners. The festival also gives priority to new music, commissioning several works every year. The festival welcomes over 100.000 visitors each year and receives governmental funding on both regional and national level, in addition to corporate sponsorships.

The Bergen International Festival has something for every taste and occasion, and by arranged the events under the three terms Festivities, Foundations and Friction, to make it easier to find what you are looking for.