The National Ibsen Year 2028 opens in Skien

This is stated in a letter from the Ministry of Culture and Equality to the National Library of Norway describing the overall principles for the Ibsen Year 2028.

Why is official Norway investing heavily in Henrik Ibsen?

In 2028, it will be 22 years since the last major Ibsen celebration in Norway in 2006. Then it was 100 years since he died. Why should we celebrate him again? Because a new generation has grown up in the meantime. Significant works of literature must periodically be reread, recreated, interpreted and communicated in new ways for new generations.

And because Henrik Ibsen's works are Norway's most important authorship - also internationally.

Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) is one of the world's most performed playwrights. His plays are performed every day, engaging and challenging people on every continent, more than 150 years after they were written.

The National Library of Norway coordinates major poetry anniversaries

There are many people in Norway who want to be involved in celebrating Henrik Ibsen's 200 years: theaters across the country, museums, the cities he lived in, research institutions and many more. The National Library of Norway has been assigned the role of coordinator for Ibsen Year 2028. As chair of the national steering group, in which Skien Municipality is also represented, the National Library of Norway will "ensure coordination and implementation of common strategies" and "ensure knowledge sharing, information and coordination" between the actors.

The Ibsen town of Skien – First act started here

It all started in Skien, and the official opening of the Ibsen Year 2028 will naturally take place in Skien. Not only is Skien's position in this anniversary unique as the poet's birthplace, but for several years now Skien has shown a willingness to invest heavily in communicating the legacy of Henrik Ibsen. The city has done this through an ambitious strategy plan that mobilizes the city's culture and tourism, a new Ibsen library and a significant upgrade of the Henrik Ibsen Museum in his childhood home at Venstøp.

Skien has thus marked itself as a significant player in the upcoming anniversary.

Letter from the Ministry of Culture and Equality to the National Library of Norway, January 9, 2024.

IBSENÅRET2028. OVERALL PRINCIPLES.

In 2028, the 200th anniversary of Henrik Ibsen's birth will be marked. Ibsen's artistry is timeless and beloved by the people, and his plays address themes and issues that are largely relevant to people today. The bicentenary celebrations will be an opportunity to highlight this both in Norway and abroad, and to ensure greater diversity in dissemination.

The government has decided that the following principles will form the basis for the 200th anniversary of Henrik Ibsen's birth in 2028:

The celebration will be marked as Ibsen Year 2028.

- The National Library of Norway is responsible for leading the work. The National Library has coordinated a number of author anniversaries, and will also be able to ensure the long-term results of the anniversary.

- A steering group will be established, led by the National Library and including the Norwegian Folk Museum, the National Theatre, Skien Municipality and the University of Oslo. The steering group will ensure coordination and implementation of joint strategies. All measures and activities will otherwise be managed within the institutions' management lines.

- The official opening ceremony on March 20, 2028 will be held in Skien, Ibsen's birthplace.

- Funding will be based on the sector principle. No separate, central pot will be established for the Ibsen Year 2028. All funding will primarily be provided through the institutions' and companies' own budgets.