Closing: from dissolution to solution

Where is hope when the world is on fire?

It turns out that culture, and literature – the stories – become more important than ever during crises. There has been an explosion in interest for the theatre in Ukraine since the start of the war. Protest poetry and underground culture blossomed during apartheid in South Africa. Stories are what tie us together and remind us that the force of good still exists.

In this final event in this year’s festival we invite the audience to tell us of experiences and thoughts arising from the festival. On the stage sit former festival director of the Bay Area Book Festival in California Cherilyn Parsons, and festival director Teresa Grøtan of LitFestBergen, who will talk about experiences and thoughts they have had during the festival. Eirik Vassenden, professor and member of the council, will receive input from the audience, draw the long lines and guide us through this last time together during LitFestBergen 2024.