Freedom is the theme of LitFestBergen 2027

Every year, the festival theme means a great deal to me personally, and over the years I have come to realise that it also means a great deal to others.

After Betrayal was our theme in 2026, I felt a need to look ahead to more optimistic times, both for society, for the world and for myself personally.

Yes, I want to celebrate the fact that I can feel both free and happy. I want to celebrate the possibility of believing in the future. I have an unwavering belief in the power of culture, and literature in particular, to help create a better world.

Literature brings people together. I believe in the shared experience of reading the same book, and I believe in the conversations that grow out of the books we read. Through encounters both on stage and in the audience, I hope LitFestBergen can create an inclusive space where everyone is free to speak, think and write openly.

For this reason, we invite everyone to The Bergen House of Literature from 10 to 14 February 2027 to celebrate literature and freedom.

Welcome to LitFestBergen 2027!

Teresa Grøtan, Festival Director