Ali Smith, Sara Stridsberg, Elif Shafak, David Szalay, and Georgi Gospodinov to attend the Norwegian Festival of Literature 2026
What does Europe mean—politically, culturally, and literarily?
Europe is the focus of this year’s festival, and we invite you to join us for both public debate and a literary journey.
Through a program packed with some of Europe’s most interesting contemporary authors, we will explore where Europe is headed, whether there is a common European literary heritage, and what unites and what divides today’s European authors.
Authors from 25 European countries
During the festival in Lillehammer you will meet authors from 25 European countries, including Ali Smith from Scotland, Sara Stridsberg from Sweden, Elif Shafak from Turkey, Georgi Gospodinov from Bulgaria, Sofia Andrukhovych from Ukraine, David Szalay from Hungary/the UK, Irene Solà from Spain, Vincenzo Latronico from Italy, Hallgrímur Helgason from Iceland, Theis Ørntoft from Denmark, and Pajtim Statovci from Kosovo/Finland.
On stage with their Norwegian colleagues
Our international authors will meet Norwegian colleagues on stage, such as Åsne Seierstad, Simen Ekern, Dag Johan Haugerud, Kathrine Nedrejord, Leander Djønne, Erlend Loe, Agnes Ravatn, Tore Skeie, Gunnhild Øyehaug, and Lars Mytting.
The Bjørnson Prize to Sara Stridsberg
The 2026 Bjørnson Prize is awarded to Swedish author Sara Stridsberg for her literary works, which are characterized by high literary quality and a deep and enduring commitment to human vulnerability, the structures of power, and the dark sides of society.
Stridsberg will participate in an extensive program, including the delivery of her Bjørnson Lecture, during the festival.
A large younger audience
Pegasus, the festival’s program for children and teens, consists of more than 100 events, and nearly 12,000 have pre-registered for the events. Several events are fully booked.
On Sunday, May 31, we are partnering with the local theme park, Hunderfossen Eventyrpark, for an author visit with Terje Solli and his book Trollvettreglene. On Saturday, June 6, there will be a varied family program in Lillehammer city centre, featuring a workshop, Mieko at dance camp, Skogens hemmeligheter (Secrets of the Forest) with Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson, and a tribute to Kjell Aukrust’s world in the performance Jø, så fyse!
Throughout the week of the festival, there will be events for children and teens at all the festival’s venues, as well as at the local libraries in Gausdal, Hamar, Gjøvik, and Ringsaker.
For more information, please contact:
Artistic Director Parisa Vaziri
Festival Director Marit Borkenhagen