Will host ICORN 2028

Two proud mayors, Marius Roheim Aarvold from Skien and county mayor of Telemark County Municipality, Sven Tore Løkslid, are in Barcelona to announce that Skien and Telemark will host ICORN's general assembly in 2028. 

ICORN (International Cities for Refuge Network) is the international network of cities and regions that offer safe havens for persecuted writers, journalists and artists. This is the first time the general assembly has been held in Norway. The choice of time and place is not accidental; Skien is the birthplace of the world-renowned writer Henrik Ibsen, and a proud standard-bearer of freedom of expression and free thought. In 2028, Skien will mark the 200th anniversary of the world artist in several ways, and this event will be part of the anniversary program. 

The conference brings together up to 400 participants, free city writers, artists and free city coordinators from all over the world. There are 94 cities and regions in Europe and the USA that are affiliated with the network, which aims to welcome and support persecuted writers, artists, musicians and journalists. 

– At a time when democracy and freedom of expression are under threat, the work ICORN does is particularly important. I am proud that Skien and Telemark are part of this network and have been given the task of arranging the conference, says Mayor Marius Roheim Aarvold. County Mayor Sven Tore Løkslid adds: – Fighting for freedom of expression is an ongoing effort, and a conference like this helps put the topic high on the agenda. We look forward to welcoming you to Telemark. 

Skien municipality has been a member of the network since the beginning of 2006, and has been a free city for nine persecuted authors and journalists. Skien library is responsible for the scheme and the city's free city authors. Telemark county municipality has been a member of the network since 2025.