Molde: Encyclopedia II - Molde - Culture

Molde - Culture

Three of "the Great Four" Norwegian authors spent time, stayed or lived in Molde. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson grew up outside Molde and attended school there, Henrik Ibsen spent vacations at the mansion Moldegård,, and Alexander Kielland resided in the city as the governor of Romsdals amt (name of Møre og Romsdal up until 1920). Ibsen's play Rosmersholm is clearly inspired by the life at Moldegård, and the play The Lady from the Sea is also set in the city of Molde (although there are no direct references in the play, the geographical descriptions match perfectly). Other authors from, or with strong bonds to Molde, include Edvard Hoem, Jo Nesbø, Knut Ødegård, and Nini Roll Anker, a dear friend of Sigrid Undset. The city of Molde has also been the home of several internationally known rock groups such as Lash Out (1992–98) and Bannlyst (1985–87), and also to singer/songwriter Ane Brun.

Molde - Festivals

Every July, Molde is host to the oldest international jazz festival of Europe, Moldejazz. Musical artists such as Miles Davis, BB King, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Santana, Paul Simon, Joe Cocker, and Lauryn Hill have performed at the jazz festival.

Every August, Molde and Nesset host an international literature festival, the Bjørnson Festival.

Additionally a number of smaller and shorter festivals are held annually, such as blues and roots festivals, and a watersports festival.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Culture", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki