NEWS

by David John Smith

You will find this international feel in the summertime fun, sport, festivals, culture and friendship found here. It is a red-hot Stavanger Summer with headline activities that includes the Tall Ships Race and the World Tour Beach Volleybally event in June and the world famous Gladmat food festival in July.  Let’s take a closer look at what is happening in the Stavanger Region this summer:

Sandnes Week June 18 – 21, 2011
What a beautiful small town Sandnes is, located just 15 kilometers south of Stavanger. Unique it is, the only city in Norway that is an official member of the WHO’s (World Health Organization) Healthy Cities program. Healthy you will feel as you take part in the “Sandnes Week”: Rent a bicycle in this town known as Norway’s “Bicycle City” and explore the variety of biking routes as you take part in a wide range of events and activities for the entire family.

World Tour Beach Volleyball 2011 June 27 – July 3, 2011
Things will be heating up here in Stavanger for a week of top level competition as the “lean and mean” beach volleyballers descend upon the city for one of the world’s largest beach volleyball tournaments. This annual event has become a tradition here as the city center becomes beach volleyball arenas with thousands of spectators cheering on their favorites. After each day of competition, the nights are filled with music, dining, dancing and socializing as a warm-up for the next days competitions. See the official World Beach Volleyball 2011 website – and don’t miss this event!

Tall Ships Race June 28 – July 1, 2011
For just the third time, the city of Stavanger has the honor of being host port for the Tall Ships Races. From the starting port of Waterford, Ireland the fleet will ride the winds to Greenock, Scotland, then “cruise-in-company” to the Shetland Islands. From their it will be racing on the high seas to Stavanger where the Tall Ships and crews will enjoy the hospitalilty and festivities of a unique program of events and activities that will entertain all. The Tall Ships will then embark on the final race leg south to Cuxhaven, Germany.

Join this tradition – one that will combine the taste of historical traditions and beauty with the friendliness of summer Stavanger, with the ships berthed in the inner harbor – literally right in downtown Stavanger – a “stone’s throw” from the World Beach Volleyball 2011 event. See the website Tall Ship Races for more information.

The Ranglerock Festival July 14 – 16, 2011
Bryne is a fast growning town just one-half hour south of Stavanger by train, fast becoming a favorite recluse for commuters who want the best of a small town while having fast access to the city. It is also the host of the “Ranglerock Festival”, weekend indoor rock music event that features local, national and even international musicians. Take the time to explore, and stop by the Ranglerock Festival this summer while in the Stavanger Region.

The International Tattoo Convention July 22 – 23, 2011
If you are a lover of the art of tattoos –  you do not want to miss this event that will include shows, demonstrations, an art context, as well as tattooing and piercing by professional artists.

Gladmat – The Leading Food Festival in Scandinavia July 20 -23, 2011
If you have not experienced “Gladmat” (Happy Food!), this is the summer to visit and take part in this annual tradition. Featuring local producers of fish, meats, herbs, breads and other foods that will raise your curiosity and whet your pallet, where you can watch master chefs work their magic while sitting by the tranquility of the Stavanger harbor. 

This is the place where food lovers and producers meet – in a setting that has a local, national and international, right down by the harbor in the center of Stavanger. Last year there were a quarter-million people who enjoyed “Gladmat”, and this year they hope to see you there as well! See the Gladmat website.

The Ålgård Water Festival August 11 – 14, 2011
Ålgård is a small town about 10 kilometers southeast of Sandnes, home of the Kongeparken Amusement Park and also the annual Ålgård Water Festival held at the Edlandshagen. First staged in 2004, this event is enjoyed by children and adults alike with a youth-oriented program on Friday followed by entertainment and concerts for the whole family during the weekend.  For more information, see the event website.

The Best Coast Juggling Festival  August 13 -17, 2011
Repeating the success of last years juggling festival, you are invited to the fun at Tou Scene – an old beer-brewery that has been transformed into a cultural venue, with two stages, and large areas for workshops/free juggling. There is also a restaurant, serving beer, wine and good food. The festival program will include workshops, games, open stage, fire jam and much more. You can find all the details here.

International Chamber Music Festival  August 8 – 14, 2011
These are the days of top-class international musicians that will share their love of music with an enthusiastic public.  The festival is an oasis for busy and talented musician who live together for this week in August, and the fun that they have there is joyfully extended to the concert spectators who share the enjoyment of artists at the top of their craft fully embracing the music. The festival, known in short as ICMF, is part of the European Festival Association and widely recognize as one of the world’s finest for Chamber Music. For more information, see the IMCF website.

Get that Summer Feeling!
Southwest Norway has been an international gathering place for the past 10,000 years  when  –  legend says – the history of Norway may have begun here. As people began to arrive, the region gained an “international feel” that has continued to this day.

Get the feeling this summer  – visit the Stavanger Region.