Olavsfestdagene (initiated 1962 under the name Olavsdagene) is a church and cultural festival held in

Trondheim Trondheim ( , , ; sma, Tråante), historically Kaupangen, Nidaros and Trondhjem (), is a city and municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. As of 2020, it had a population of 205,332, was the third most populous municipality in Norway, and ...

around

Olsok Olsok ("Olaf's Wake" or "Olaf's Vigil") is a national day of celebration on July 29 in the Nordic countries of Norway and the Faroe Islands, and also in the provinces of Härjedalen in Sweden and Savonlinna in Finland. Background King Olaf II H ...

every year.

Background

During the festival more than 300 events with 800 international and Norwegian artists are presented (2005). The events take place at venues throughout the city, like

Nidaros Cathedral Nidaros Cathedral ( no, Nidarosdomen / Nidaros Domkirke) is a Church of Norway cathedral located in the city of Trondheim in Trøndelag county. It is built over the burial site of Olav II of Norway, King Olav II (c. 995–1030, reigned 1015–102 ...

Olavshallen Olavshallen ( en, Olav Hall or Olav Concert Hall) was built in 1989 as a concert hall and is named after a historical tradition in Trondheim, Norway, the St. Olav tradition. The foundation stone was laid by HM King Olav V 22 July 1988. Olavshallen ...

, The Norwegian

Freemasonry Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

, Vår Frue kirke, Rica Nidelven Arena and on the outdoor stage in Borggården at Erkebispegården and Torvet (the marked place). Orchestras, bands, soloists, choirs, opera and actors perform for a visitors and residents audience. There are also historical markets with games, jugglers and trade in the courtyard, and a plethora of activities for children and youth, including treasure hunts, music workshop and stone carving. Other events are jousting, exhibitions, church services, courses, lectures and pilgrimage program. Every night during Olavsfestdagene Jazzvaka is also held at the Kjeller’n in Olavskvartalet. In 2015 the Olavsfestdagene takes place in the period July 28 - August 2, and are visited by the international artist

Sting Sting may refer to: * Stinger or sting, a structure of an animal to inject venom, or the injury produced by a stinger * Irritating hairs or prickles of a stinging plant, or the plant itself Fictional characters and entities * Sting (Middle-eart ...

History

Olavsfestdagenes is historically anchored in the veneration of

Olaf II of Norway Olaf II Haraldsson ( – 29 July 1030), later known as Saint Olaf (and traditionally as St. Olave), was King of Norway from 1015 to 1028. Son of Harald Grenske, a petty king in Vestfold, Norway, he was posthumously given the title ''Rex Perpet ...

. Today's festival is a continuation of the tradition of Olavsdagene, which started in 1962. Pilgrims from many countries choose to visit Nidaros Cathedral during the festival. Olavsfestdagene is one out of four junction festivals (knutepunktfestivaler) with national status in Norway, and has the task of ensuring the church fete celebration in Nidaros Cathedral and the worship of Olav. Randi Wenche Haugen was festival director from August 11, 2008 to August 31, 2013. Petter Myhr, former director at the popular music museum

Rockheim Rockheim (also called ''Det nasjonale opplevelsessenteret for pop og rock'', The National Discovery Centre for Pop and Rock, and ''Det nasjonale museet for populærmusikk'', The National Museum for Popular Music) is Norway's national museum fo ...

, replaced her in a fixed term position September 1, 2013.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Christian music festivals Music festivals established in 1962 Music festivals in Norway Music in Trondheim 1962 establishments in Norway Recurring events established in 1962 Festivals in Trondheim Culture in Trondheim Summer events in Norway