Opening ceremony on a yellow catwalk

The project is called What Is the City but the People? and will be performed at Festplassen in the city centre. Here a yellow 60-meter catwalk will be built for people and groups handpicked from the population of Bergen. They will all be presented with photographs and a short, personal story while on the catwalk.  

'I can’t imagine a better opening of my first Bergen International Festival. International artists are connected with a local artistic team and great representatives of different sides of Bergen. All together it will become a touching portrait of who we are,' says Lars Petter Hagen, who assumed the position of Festival director last year.

The performance had its world premiere in Manchester in 2017, and director Richard Gregory works with the team in Bergen to convey the city’s story and soul. The music is created by Gisle Martens Meyer, and Finn Tokvam, Thor Brødreskift and Linda Børnes provide text, images and content. 

The whole opening day takes place in the presence of Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, and will continue with Tosca in Grieghallen the same evening, featuring Lise Davidsen, Freddie De Tommaso and Bryn Terfel. 

The opening ceremony marks the beginning of the 15 days of the Festival. The programme also contains Bergen's anthem and the Norwegian national anthem. The event is free and open for all.