This year’s festival officially opens on Monday 10 July at 19:00 in Meiriet Kultursenter in Leknes. It was a somewhat more unofficial start with the dedication of a new grand piano in Henningsvær Church already on Saturday 8 July. It is gratifying to have another Steinway concert grand piano in Lofoten.
The public has so far shown great interest in this year’s festival. The organizers know the visitor record with audiences from Australia, the USA, two groups from Spain, among others. In addition, several people from Asia, all of Europe and of course Norway have announced their arrival at the festival.
This year, the organizers also have the pleasure of welcoming Her Majesty Queen Sonja to the concert in Lofoten Kulturhus on Saturday, as well as the closing concert in Buksnes Church on Sunday.
Like previous festivals, this year’s program is presented by a number of dedicated people, both with and without instruments. Artistic director, Arvid Engegård has created yet another program that will arouse enthusiasm. Among the artists are Leif Ove Andsnes, Arve Tellefsen and Knut Erik Sundquist.
Several of the concerts are already sold out.
For those who want tickets, we recommend buying them here www.lofotenfestival.com.
This year’s artist profile is the Finnish composer, conductor and pianist Olli Mustonen. He is already known for both playing and composing as if it were a matter of life and death. With a magnetic charisma and relentless honesty, he draws the listener into his universe with enormous energy, without compromise. Mustonen himself will play at several of the concerts.
This year, two new works will be performed during the festival. First, there is the premiere of the artist profile Olli Mustonen’s String Quartet (no. 1) in Buksnes Church on Wednesday 12 July at 19:00. Furthermore, there is the premiere performance of Kjetil Bjørnstad’s Lofotoratoriet in the Lofoten Cathedral on Saturday 15 July at 18:00. Otherwise, concerts will be held in Borge Kirke, Lofoten Kulturhus, Valberg Kirke, Kaviarfabrikken, Henningsvær Kirke and Lysstøperiet (Henningsvær).
Furthermore, there are a number of voluntary employees who ensure that the nearly 30 events can be carried out with hospitality and good humour.
