Olavsfestdagene

Olavsfestdagene
260px Olavsvaka (the Olav vigil) is held in Nidarosdomen the night of 29 July. It starts with a church service at 23:00. Throughout the night there are prayers every hour, until the morning song at 06:00. There is a special atmosphere in the cathedral that night.
Status	Active
Genre	Church Music Festival
Date(s)	July - August
Begins	28 July 2015 (2015-07-28)
Ends	2 August 2015 (2015-08-02)
Frequency	Annually
Location(s)	Trondheim
Country	Norway
Years active	1962 - present
Website
www.olavsfestdagene.no

Olavsfestdagene (initiated 1962 under the name Olavsdagene) is a church and cultural festival held in Trondheim around Olsok 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 Nidarosdomen, Olavshallen, The Norwegian Freemasonry, 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.

History

Olavsfestdagenes is historically anchored in the worship of Olav den hellige. Today's festival is a continuation of the tradition of Olavsdagene, which started in 1962. Pilgrims from many countries choose to visit Nidarosdomen 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 Nidarosdomen 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, replaced her in a fixed term position September 1, 2013.

External links

• Official website
• Media related to at Wikimedia Commons