Artist releases from both Norway and abroad at this year's festival
Hamsundagene will release national and international artists for this year's festival!
Hamsundagene Slipper sound art, electronica and video art with national and international artists
Hamsundagene 2026 is a literature and culture festival that has been held on Hamarøy every other year since 1982. This year with the title "The Ring is Over". Held at The Hamsun Centre / Hamarøy August 4th - 7th (with kickoff August 3rd).
This year's Hamsundager offers a strong focus on music and sound art. The musical program includes everything from electronica and sound art to video art, and is curated by Michael Rosen , who is art director at Digital in Berlin.
We present a diverse and exciting musical programming that includes cellist Yamila, singer and pianist Susanna Wallumrød, sound artist Stina Stjern, flautist Juli Deák, vocalist Maja SK Ratkje in collaboration with visual artist Matti Aikio, pianist Herborg Rundberg and the vocal ensemble Trondheim Voices.
Festival director Anita Overelv has the following to say about the musical program: " Michael and I have been colleagues and have collaborated regularly for many years. When Hamsundagene this year chose to scale up the musical program, it felt natural to invite him in as musical curator. He has a unique flair and always delivers high professional quality. Rosen also visited Hamsundagene ten years ago, then as a DJ and guest - and I like to mark anniversaries ," says a smiling Overelv.
The thematic superstructure for this year's Hamsun Days is "The Ring is Broken". A choice inspired by Hamsun's penultimate book with the same title. . The program is as always varied, with a clear focus on art and literature. This year, the musical art scene is particularly highlighted. We are proud to be able to present star artists from home and abroad.
Yamila (BE)
who is a cellist and vocalist moves seamlessly between electronic and acoustic music, tradition and experimentation. The album Noor, named "Album of the Day" by Bandcamp Daily, creates a distinctive sound space where airy textures and strong melodic movements meet.
She is based in both Brussels and Madrid, and has performed at a number of international festivals.
Stina Star
has been a central figure in Norwegian music for over 25 years. She works at the intersection of pop and indie, and has a background in jazz, rock and punk – including in the bands Quintrophenia and Supervixen.
On her latest solo album Vivid Peace Restored, she combines field recordings, instruments and vocals in a personal and experimental expression.
Susanna Wallumrød
one of Norway's most distinctive voices, and is known both as a composer and interpreter. On the album Baudelaire & Piano she has set to music a selection of French poet Charles Baudelaire's texts
At Hamsundagene she performs music from this album and its sequel Elevation, together with Stina Stjern, who in addition to vocals also contributes tapes and analog sound surfaces.
Juli Deák (PL/HU)
a flautist and saxophonist who, through her The Breathing Project, unites classical music, contemporary music and jazz. She explores the boundaries of her instruments through breath, voice and improvisation, creating an intimate and physical expression.
Maja SK Ratkje (NO) with Matti Aikio (Sápmi/FIN)
is an internationally recognized composer and vocalist, who has made a name for himself through his distinctive and experimental expression over many years.
During the festival, she collaborates with visual artist Matti Aikio, creating a meeting between sound and visual expressions that explore nature, culture and identity.
Herborg Rundberg ,
from Kåfjord in Troms, is a pianist and composer with roots in the Sea Sami tradition. Through improvisation, jazz and contemporary music, these impulses are implemented into a personal and multifaceted expression, which she will perform solo during the festival. Rundeberg is also known from the duo LEAGUS, where composition and free improvisation meet.
Trondheim Voices
is an innovative vocal ensemble that since 2001 has constantly challenged the boundaries of what a vocal ensemble can be.
Through improvisation and interaction with space, technology and the audience, the 7-piece ensemble creates unique concert experiences. They close the festival with two works, including Stromsänger by German sound artist Christina Kubisch.