Happy holidays from LitFestBergen!
Dear literature lovers
Betrayal is the theme for LitFestBergen in 2026.
Betrayal is something most people experience at some point in their lives, either because we are betrayed or because we ourselves are the ones doing the betraying. I would also argue that betrayal is characteristic of the current political situation in the world – complacency in the face of major disasters, wars and abuses of power, and world leaders who betray their own citizens and create fear and uncertainty.
Betrayal is also a recurring theme in literary history – from Greek tragedies to contemporary literature.
What does betrayal do to us, as individuals and as a society?
Betrayal in power structures
All over the world, it can be dangerous to speak your mind or to speak out against the authorities. In the US, you now have to disclose all your social media accounts in order to apply for a visa. In other countries, surveillance is complete. At the festival, we will witness a unique meeting between North and South Korea, gain insight into Russian spy history, and learn about the vulnerable position of satirical cartoonists in Norway and other countries.
Weapon production and cyber warfare are on the agenda when we discuss whether Norway is ready for war with Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen, the audience will get to know contemporary banned books when the festival's own international reading circle organises daily readings, and Norwegian PEN organises film screenings and debates.
Family betrayals
Vigdis Hjorth and Hanne Ørstavik are both known for describing betrayal in family relationships, and both will be participating in the festival. Selma Lønning Aarø will be addressing the topic that is perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about betrayal – infidelity. We also have several events where we talk about parents and children, and in particular about fathers' betrayal, including with Marte Michelet.
Institutional betrayal
This year's programme features several very different perspectives on the Norwegian welfare state – from Martin Bech Holte's criticism of the oil fund to Anna-Sabina Soggiu's criticism of the betrayal of the poor. And how have we as a society and a state treated the survivors of Utøya, 15 years on?
Colonial betrayal
In my unbiased opinion, we have some exceptionally exciting programme items and authors who address topics related to colonial history: What is beauty? How can literature be decolonised? And which books belong in a library built by colonial rulers?
Closer to home, a related topic is how Norway as a society and a state has treated different peoples, such as the Nomads and the Sami. Aina Basso will talk about several of her books, and Brage Prize nominee Sigbjørn Skåden will talk about murder and mystery in the Sami village of Planterhaug.
Literary betrayal
We have a whole series of lectures on treacherous literary characters, from God through to Frankenstein and Peer Gynt. This year's critics' seminar and translators' seminar have betrayal as their theme. We also ask the question: Do authors betray themselves when they are ‘forced’ to produce ‘content’ on social media?
And! NB! A new genre at this year's festival! Feminist horror! We boast unreservedly and reveal that the agent of South Korean author Bora Chung stated that they had been given a ‘strong recommendation’ regardingLitFestBergen, despite the fact that she has not (yet) been translated into Norwegian.
And! NB2! Grand old dame, favourite among authors (not least Gunnhild Øyehaug), this year's oldest author travelling all the way from Tucson, Arizona: Joy Williams, in an event named after the title of an essay she has written, that I couldn't resist borrowing: Save the whale, screw the shrimp (Is it not possible to laugh – and still get the point?)
We will not disappoint our regulars!
This year's literary date is between Christian Ringnes and Erna Solberg. You will meet the authors of the future – this year's team at the Academy of Creative Writing. There will also be literary city walks. There will be a PEN postcard campaign where you can send greetings to imprisoned authors. Of course, there will be the Norwegian Slam Poetry Championship! And of course, a Poetic Punk Gala!
And everything I haven't mentioned
There is so much I haven't mentioned, such as the panel on literary prizes with, among others, Frederick Studemann, literary editor of the Financial Times, the panel on how – and why – to organise a literature festival while there is a war going on, with, among others, festival director Yuliia Kozlovets from the Ukraine, and this year's religious debate: This time on whether Eve can be considered the first betrayer from a Christian, Jewish and Muslim perspective.
We hope you will visit the Literature House in Bergen and discover new favourite authors, new friends and an enriched soul.
You’ll find the full programme here.
Early bird festival passes are sold out, the same goes for the December offer, but we still have regular passes and day passes for sale, as well as single tickets.
Maybe festival tickets or a gift card is the perfect Christmas gift for someone you care about?
Merry Christmas and all good wishes for 2026 to you all!
Best regards, on behalf of the administration,
Teresa