Culture
Latest news and important information on culture, art, the arts industry, theatre, cinema, and more.
Did you know that Oslo has its own Mona Lisa?
Whether you're an art lover visiting Oslo or a local looking for something different to do, the Norwegian capital holds a rather fun surprise for you.
What’s on in Norway: The best events in September 2026
From popular culture nights and a wide variety of festivals to the arrival of marathon season, September offers something for everyone, making it the perfect time to enjoy the year's final "fine" days across the country.
The rules for buying and selling event tickets in Norway – and scams to avoid
Norway has a vibrant event scene, hosting world-class performers and festivals. However, it enforces strict regulations on buying and selling event tickets to prevent consumers being taken advantage of .
Bulgaria's 'Bangaranga' wins Eurovision, with Israel second
Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday with Dara's catchy floor-filler "Bangaranga" sweeping the 70th edition of the world's biggest live televised music event and pushing into second place Israel, whose participation had triggered a major boycott.
Live music: The big British and American artists performing in Norway in 2026
Music fans in Norway have a lot to look forward to in 2026. Big names from the UK and the US are set to perform at venues ranging from huge arenas to scenic parks. Here is your chronological guide to the must-see artists.
Geopolitics threatens 70th anniversary of Eurovision
The Eurovision Song Contest is famous for celebrating everything from cross-dressing ballad singers to heavy metal bands in monster masks, but geopolitics is threatening its 70th anniversary edition.
'Påskekrim': Why Norwegians are obsessed with crime fiction at Easter
Norwegians read more crime novels during Easter than anyone else on Earth. But how did the obsession with reading about grisly murders during the holiday come about?
Norway’s ‘Sentimental Value’ wins Best International Film Oscar
Norwegian family drama "Sentimental Value" -- a bittersweet and melancholic story of an aging absent father seeking forgiveness from his daughters who have learned to get along without him -- won the Oscar for best international film on Sunday.
Culture, politics, food: What makes Europeans proud of their country?
A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons.
Cultural calendar: The biggest and best events in Oslo in 2026
If you are in Oslo in 2026 then make sure to get some of these events in your calendar.
Eight brands you didn’t know were Nordic and two that wish they were
Plenty of Scandinavian brands have made it overseas, but did you realise these companies have Nordic origins?
The big events in Norway this autumn you shouldn't miss
From cultural festivals and world-class sports events, there’s something for everyone in Norway this autumn. Here’s a guide to what’s happening between late August and mid-October.
Four things you should know about Norway's national anthem
Norway’s national anthem echoes with pride, history, and love for the land. Whether you’ve sung it yourself or simply admired its soaring melody, 'Ja, vi elsker dette landet' holds a special place in the hearts of Norwegians. Here are four things you should know about the iconic anthem.
Eight music festivals you shouldn't miss in Norway this summer
Norway goes all out on its summer music festivals, with the biggest of them drawing top international artists at the same time as showcasing the best acts Norway has to offer. Here are the best of the bunch.
'It was my destiny': Norway director on Cannes runner-up prize
Director Joachim Trier, who won the Grand Prix second prize at the Cannes film festival Saturday, makes Scandinavian movies that can melt the chilliest of hearts.
'Sentimental Value': The Norwegian film making waves at Cannes
Danish-Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier found himself crying behind the camera as he shot "Sentimental Value", his moving new tale about a quietly fractured family that got a 19-minute standing ovation at the end of its Wednesday premiere at the Cannes film festival.
Austria's JJ wins Eurovision 2025 with opera-techno fusion
Austria's JJ won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday, with his operatic song "Wasted Love" triumphing at the world's biggest live music television event.
Norwegian documentary and Norwegian screenwriter receive Oscar nominations
The Palestinian-Norwegian co-production "No Other Land" was nominated for an Oscar on Thursday, while Norwegian Mona Fastvold received a nod for best screenplay for the film "The Brutalist."
Four Norwegian films shortlisted for Oscar nominations
Armand, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, the animated short Maybe Elephants, and the Palestinian-Norwegian documentary No Other Land were all shortlisted for Oscar nominations on Tuesday evening.
INTERVIEW: Norwegian parents don't shout, but their kids dictate their lives
Award-winning French comedian Cécile Moroni is no stranger to making light of the many culture shocks she has experienced in Norway. She has shared some insights from her new book on raising children the Norwegian way with The Local.
Billionaire Island: What Netflix’s new show tells us about Norway
Norway’s salmon fishing industry is the stage for Netflix’s new warring-family dramedy. Here’s what the Succession-style show on salmon barons tells us about Norway.
'There was no one doing it': The story behind Oslo's only English bookstore
Six months after launching Oslo's only English language bookstore, Seattle native Indigo Trigg-Hauger doesn't regret a thing.
EXPLAINED: How is Norway planning to limit children's social media use?
A majority of MPs in Norway's parliament are in favour of imposing limits on children's social media use, perhaps using the BankID system to make it near impossible for them to lie about their age. What do we know so far?