- We believe this is a group that also really needs to get out and meet people, and experience intense cultural experiences with others after the 2 years of marathon video meetings and teaching from lecturers on small screens. That's why we call it the FU * K COViD ticket, and mark with it that we want them and everyone else back at a real festival. People need to meet eachother, and we want to establish what we believe will be the start of a long and good relationship with our young adults in the region, says Skúladóttir

Tickets available from Friday

The ticket type will be available on the web from Friday 22 April at 09:00, and the festival director promises that the 4 for 3 discount also applies to the young adults who come to the program release in Thon Arena Northern Norway on Thursday 21 April.

- I want to encourage young adults to check out our program in Harstad cinema, in Storsalen, at Thon and not least in Støperiet. We have a number of concerts and performances that we hope this group will give a chance - and if nothing else that we fill Thon Arena Northern Norway with a fantastic atmosphere when Anna of the North, Honningbarna and GusGus come. Also in our festival tent Sentralen there are a number of bands that are both young and promising. This year's winners of Bukta Battle will, for example, play here as part of the prize in the competition, Skúladóttir continues.

Antidote to loneliness

Directing a special focus on young adults is seen by the festival director as an important part of the festival's mission in the region, and an obvious priority as a consequence of the aftermath of the pandemic. As many as 3 out of 5 young people have reported increased loneliness according to Kantar's health policy barometer for 2021, and have for a longer period of their lives been outside communities that are important for belonging and crucial for identity and development.

- I think it is our duty to take an active role towards this group. They need bright spots, and as Northern Norway's largest cultural event, we have the opportunity to make the threshold a little lower financially. I hope they join, and that the FU * K COVID tickets can be a positive contribution, the festival director concludes.