The festival was established in 1990, and takes place in beginning of July each year (week 27). The main profile is traditional and contemporary folk music on an accoustic basis. 6000 artists from more than 120 different countries have been presented at the festival the last 25 years. The festival programme is of great variety, with concerts, workshops, exhibitions, children's events, dance evenings etc. Plus different kinds of projects during the festival week and throughout the year.
The main festival arena is the culture centre, "Førdehuset" with four concert halls from 170 to 2500 seats. Festival events also take place in hotels, museums arts centres and outdoor stages in and nearby Førde, altogether about 20 venues.
Unique music in unique surroundings
Førde is a small town on the western coast of Norway, 150 km north of Bergen, surrounded by fjords, mountains, glaciers and waterfalls.
In 2010, 2011 and 2012 the festival has been on Songlines' (the most important international world music magazine) exclusive list of the 25 best international festivals in the world!
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit is the patron of the festival.
The festival is one of the most important festivals in Norway, and has a strong financial support from the Norwegian government. The festival plays an important part in the preserving and development of traditional music and dance in Norway.
