The Norwegian Festival of Literature: 30 years

Thirty years - of bringing readers and writers, people and books together!

Thirty years – of introducing us to new ideas and perspectives - asking questions - challenging us – poking a finger in us!

Thirty years – of good times and happenings, tears and laughter, sunny mornings in the park and late nights at Banken!

Friends of literature, readers and writers. Kjære Lillehammer!

What a joy and honour to be here tonight – looking back at thirty great years of festival history – and looking forward to all that is yet to come!

To all of you who have taken part in making this through the years - from Torunn Eriksen and onwards:

I hope you all take great pride in what you have accomplished!

Just think about it!

What initially started off as Sigrid Undset-seminars, today stands tall and proud as the largest festival of literature in the Nordic countries! 

For thousands, heading to Lillehammer in these early days of summer has become an annual ritual. Something to look forward to every year.  

And no wonder!

The atmosphere is remarkable!

Yes, I’ve been here several times, and it really feels as if the city centre itself greets us: Just come on in, have a seat! Prose or poetry?

 

We hustle to Bjerkebæk and back, trying to squeeze in just one more debate….!

We line up to hear some of the worlds most renowned authors speak – and bump into our favourites at packed hotels. Some at legendary bar crawls…! 

Time again we are introduced to new voices, books we’ve never heard of that make us go “ah, I need to read this!”

Somehow, Lillehammer feels as Lillehammer, as local, as ever -and yet borderless. International.

Like literature itself.

We come and feel connected to each other and the world.

And to ourselves!

I think everyone here knows this:

How a good book can change our very perspective on life. 

Change us.

Indeed, change the world!

Such is the power of all great literature and art!

The Norwegian Festival of Literature has from the beginning remained dedicated to invite us in - to take part - and let literature do what it does best:

Raise the important questions of our time – and move us!

This dedication to relevance, to making literature matter, has made this festival more than a literary festival.

It is a crucial, international leading arena for debate – on literature, on culture, on the state of the world.

 

This year’s anniversary programme is no exception!

These last few years, across the Nordic region, we have witnessed a surge and explosive interest in literature, films and voices from the Sámi culture, along with a Kven, Forest Finn and Tornedalian cultural revival.

After years of cultural oppression, voices from the Sami and national minorities are now – at long last! - being recognized as vital and integral parts of our national cultures – pushing literature forward. Pushing us forward!

We need that!

As the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission clearly stated, there are many shameful chapters in our history that have left wounds that have not healed.

Reconciliation is not easy, never will be.

But - by listening to each other – by coming together – we can move forward to something better.

Art and culture – literature – is a crucial part of this process.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading the powerful, Brage Award-winning novel “The Sami Problem”; by Katrine Nedrejord, who is here tonight. I know many have read it by now!

There’s a passage in it I often think of. It has stayed with me, and I would like to share it with you.

It goes, my translation:   

"When I search for testimonies from Sami history, I only get the outsider's perspective. 

I hear what officials who wandered north, missionaries and adventurers, thought about us and observed. 

It's not a good filter to see one's ancestors through.

It's not a proud filter. 

It lacks 'I' and 'we,' and it’s full of 'they' and 'them. 

And no one has bothered to red mark any errors

**

To me, this highlights why we need literature.

Why we need a diversity of authors and artists – voices from all backgrounds.

Voices that do red mark errors – from the past, present and in the future

Why we need arenas where we can come together, debate, share - and move forward – together.

Why we need this inclusive, dedicated and above all ever-relevant festival!

We need it now – and at least thirty more years of it! Starting tonight!

Lillehammer, friends:

It’s an honour to declare this year’s Norwegian Festival of Literature open!