A fantastic last dance with Hilde
The Swedish duo Hazelius Hedin had a great time at 706 m above sea level, on Hafstadffjellet. Photo Knut Utler
The best concert arena I have played in my entire life, said Johan Hedin about Hafstadfjellet, 706 meters above sea level, where he and Esbjørn Hazelius had a concert on Saturday. Førdefestivalen . Such feedback says the most about the festival that ended on Sunday. -I am incredibly proud to have been part of this adventure that means so much to Førde and the rest of the county, says Bjørkum.
-This year's festival has once again shown that the direction we set 29 years ago is still valid. We are keeping the folk music profile high, and we are increasingly gaining recognition locally, nationally and internationally for our uncompromising focus on folk music from all over the world. The total audience for this year's festival is 25,500, which is the same level as in 2017.
International journalists and industry professionals who have attended the festival this year, including those from The Rolling Stone Magazine, BBC3, Rai Radio 3 in Italy, are deeply impressed by the festival in Førde . -It's probably the best one I ever attended, writes Spanish photojournalist Ana Yturalde.
Silje Onstad Hålien led the opening concert with strong dance steps. Here together with the performers of Dei gamle er eldst. Photo: Amalia Pop
Record crowd at the opening concert
The festival had a record 1950 audience members at the opening concert, and the other concerts have also been well attended. The weather has been kind, and there have been many highlights. The outdoor concert with Fanfare Ciocarlia at Festplassen was brilliant, the Barokksolistana's Alehouse concert raised the roof in the Main Hall, the dance floor at Larris Scene was packed every evening, and young Elida Almeida from Cape Verde created a real festival atmosphere in the sports hall on Sunday afternoon. There have been many sold-out houses, and people have flocked to the festival courses like never before.
Exceeded expectations
-The new productions, Dei gamle er eldst , Op søeste sang i kyrkja and Klangen av Astrup i Astruptunet, exceeded even the highest expectations we could have had. The artists have delivered and delivered, and everyone who has been involved and worked in the festival apparatus has done the same. I am overjoyed! Says the outgoing director. - I am especially happy that we hit the ground running with our theme, dance and dance music. People simply wanted to dance. Now it is my turn to say: Thank you for the dance!