The Northern Norway Festival 2025 has now concluded after eight days of innovative performances, city festivals and artistic celebrations – marking both an artistic victory and the end of a directorial term. Festival director Ragnheiður Skúladóttir concluded her six-year term with a program that summed up her clear vision: to promote the arts field in the north by forging ties with the international field.

With 237 events, around 30,000 audiences, approx. 1.7 million kroner in ticket revenue and 19 premieres, as well as Norwegian premieres, this year's festival has been praised by both audiences and critics.

• This has been an important week for the arts, says Skúladóttir. – We have seen how art can challenge, excite and unite – and how new voices from the north can truly move audiences.

Critical highlights

Among the highlights was festival profile Tore Vagn Lid's opening performance Triggersysteme, which drew reviewers to highlight its commentary on the times we live in, its grand format and impressive craftsmanship. Festival profile Máret Ánne Sara's festival exhibition HÁHČEŠEATNI DOALI DÁDJADIT is predicted to be a highlight in recent northern Norwegian art history, where modern materiality and social logic met Sámi philosophy and worldview. Her work now continues at Tate Modern in London, where she will be artist of the year in the turbine hall. 

• This shows that giving artists space to develop their projects over a longer period of time has really yielded results, and it is fantastic to see what Tore Vagn Lid and Máret Ánne Sara have created in the last 2 years, says Skúladóttir.

The Nordaførr industry meeting brought together a broad field of art

The Nordaførr industry meeting was also arranged this year – three days filled with professional enrichment, reflections and new acquaintances for participants from northern Norway and internationally. 

• This year's Nordaførr has had an extra local dimension where young people talked about life in Harstad and how they experience art and culture, there have been presentations of exciting organizations in the north, a taste of The Erik Show with Davvi Center for Performing Arts and a focus on trauma as a driving force in art, and I am so pleased with all the good conversations across these days, says Skúladóttir.

Strong and inclusive children's program

The children's program has been extra broad and ambitious this year. The storytelling concert with Elle Maija, the airy and sensual Aeldre – a performance in the trees outside Harstad Church – and the magical dance performance with Gro created experiences that resonated with both children and adults. In SNN Park, the ambition to create an inclusive and fantastic space for children was truly realized. The Block Party for the youth in the city in particular became a highlight in the park – an explosive and unifying celebration of street culture, which inspired both dance, togetherness and expression.

Ended with dance – and a full stage

The last performance of the year in the main hall was BALL – a magnificent dance performance where nine dancers from Harstad shared the stage with the Iceland Dance Company. The dancers delivered a moving and energetic finale, which made both young and old cheer – and which summed up the community, professionalism and artistic fervor that has characterized the week by inviting the audience onto the stage.

Sustainable and accessible

The festival has also solidified its position as a festival with strong social and environmental responsibility. This year, special focus was placed on accessibility through initiatives such as:

• The Sulland Ticket: Bring someone who has never been to the festival – a free ticket sponsored by Sulland.
• The Visiting Friend Ticket: A collaboration with the Red Cross that provided concert experiences for people with visiting friends.
• The Night Bus every evening, which made it possible for the audience to leave their cars parked – for the benefit of the environment and for safety.

– I am incredibly grateful for the trust I have received over the past six years, says Skúladóttir. – We have wanted to open up, invite more people in and bring forward new perspectives. Seeing this manifested in this year's program and the response we have received is moving and gives hope for the future.

With that, the Northern Norway Festival 2025 ends on a high note – with audience cheers, strong artistic impressions and a clear direction for further development before the new festival director Susanne Næss Nielsen takes over for the coming 4 year period. 

Festspillene i Nord-Norge 2026 take place from June 20-27 in Harstad.