About the Festival
The Norwegian Festival of Literature is the largest of its kind in the Nordic countries, with a diverse program catering to readers of all ages. Would you like to experience authors live and discuss literature and current affairs with likeminded people? At the end of May each year, literature fills the streets of Lillehammer. We guarantee words that will move you and experiences that will take you a step further.
The small and idyllic city of Lillehammer offers a warm and friendly atmosphere with its green surroundings. Lillehammer used to house two Nobel Laureates: Sigrid Undset at Bjerkebæk from 1919 – 1949 and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson at Aulestad from 1875 – 1910.
The Festival has events for both families and culturally-curious adults. Experience on-stage conversations, debates, lectures, readings, award ceremonies, exhibitions, seminars, shows, quizzes and other festivities.
Among the authors who have attended the festival earlier years, you will find names such as Karl Ove Knausgård, Svetlana Aleksijevits, J.M. Coetzee, Herta Müller, Adonis, Margaret Atwood, Edouard Louis, Ali Smith, Abdulrazak Gurnah, and many more.
Partners and Sponsors
Primary partners in 2023
Eidsiva, Thorleif Dahls kulturbibliotek, Sparebankstiftelsen, Fritt Ord, Bergesenstiftelsen, NFFO, Aschehoug, Dagbladet, Høgskolen i Innlandet, Lillehammer museum, Nansenskolen, and Lillehammer UNESCO-litteraturby.
Public sponsors i 2023
Kulturrådet, Innlandet fylkeskommune, Lillehammer kommune.
Other partners and supporters
Barnebokkritikk, Bibliotekforeningen Innlandet, Bokhandlerforeningen, Bokklubben, Bokklubben Bastard, Bok365, Bonnier Norsk Forlag. British Council, Cappelen Damm, Culture Ireland, Danish Arts Foundation, Den norske Dobloug-komiteen, Den Norske Forleggerforening, Den norske Forfatterforening, Det Norske Samlaget, Dublin Book Festival, Fremtidsbiblioteket, Foreningen !les, Forfatterforbundet, Forlaget Oktober, Galleri Zink, Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, Høgskolen i Innlandet, Innlandet Fylkesbibliotek, Jevne gård, Jostein Gaarder, Kagge forlag, Klassekampen, Kulturhjerte, Kulturrådet SE, Kulturtanken, Leser søker bok, Lillefilm, Lillehammer bibliotek og litteraturhus, Lillehammer kino, Lillehammer Rotary, Lillehammer sentrum og drift, Lillehammer UNESCO-Litteraturby, Limpi, Litteraturhuset i Oslo, LO Kultur, Manifest forlag, Menn uten midje leser også bøker, Nansenskolen, Nettverk for norske litteraturfestivaler, Norli Bokhandel, Norsk barnebokinstitutt, Norske Barne- og Ungdomsbokforfattere, Norsk Bibliotekforening, Norsk Forfattersentrum, NORLA, Norsk Kritikerlag, Norsk Oversetterforening, Oppland Kunstsenter/Bokmessen Bastard, Sigrid Undset-selskapet, Syn og Segn, Svenska Akademien, Tekna, The Irish Embassy in Oslo, Tiden Norsk Forlag, UiO, UD, Vigmostad & Bjørke, Viken fylkeskommune, Visit Lillehammer, World Expression Forum
Event venues: Brenneriet, Felix Pub og Scene, Fønix skatepark Brumunddal, Galleri Zink, Gausdal folkebibliotek, Gjøvik bibliotek og Litteraturhus, Glommen Mjøsen Skog, Hamar bibliotek, Kulturhuset Banken, Lillehammer og Gjøvik Dansesenter, Lillehammer Bibliotek, Lillehammer kino, Lillehammer kirke, Lillehammer læringssenter, Parkkaféen, Plan B, Verdensteateret.
Accomodations: Birkebeineren Hotel & Apartments, Clarion Collection Hammer Hotel, First Hotell Breiseth, Mølla hotell, Scandic Lillehammer og Victoria hotell, Stasjonen.
Tech and other services: Blæst Design, Krible og OffCenit på nettsider, FestivalPro som festivalstyringsverktøy. Lillehammer lyd og lys og Total Production som hovedaktører på lyd og lys. TicketCo, GLØR, Lillehammer Rotary, Lillehammer Sentrum Drift, Norsk Forfattersentrum, Visit Lillehammer.
Program artist 2023: Nikolai Torgersen
Thank you to everyone!
A sustainable literature festival
The Norwegian Festival of Literature is continuously working to conduct the most environmentally friendly festival and year-round operation possible.
The festival aims to shed light on the environment, contribute to awareness and knowledge, and prioritize sustainable alternatives in its own operations. We consider sustainability at every level while increasing competence in climate-smart solutions. We have set goals to reduce CO2 emissions in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The festival has a special focus on Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Procurement
The festival aims to limit new production and opt for environmentally friendly alternatives in procurement where possible.
Circular utilization
The festival is to be conducted with the least possible environmental impact, meaning maximum reuse and minimum littering.
Environmental issues on the agenda
The festival aspires to elevate and debate current societal issues as part of the festival program, including sustainability and climate.
Transportation
The festival utilizes and facilitates environmentally friendly transportation.
Partners and suppliers
Climate footprint will be a topic of discussion with our suppliers and partners.