Oslo World is the festival of the year!
During the Vårt Nabolag event at Ringsaker Reception Centre on Sunday, we were taken completely by surprise when Sondre Lerche invited Festival Director Alexandra Archetti Stølen onto the stage. He had been tasked by the Norwegian Cultural Organisers Association (NKA) with presenting the award to a clearly surprised and deeply moved festival director.
The award is presented annually by the Norwegian Cultural Organisers Association, with organisers from across the country voting for the winner. This year’s award goes to Oslo World in recognition of more than three decades of work creating meeting places for music, art, and cultural expressions from around the world.
“This award means an enormous amount to us. It comes from colleagues and organisers whom we greatly respect, and it feels like a powerful recognition of the work we have done over many years,” says Festival Director Alexandra Archetti Stølen.
In its statement, the Norwegian Cultural Organisers Association highlighted the festival’s significance to Norwegian cultural life:
“For many years, Oslo World has been a driving force for diversity, artistic excellence, and international perspectives in Norwegian cultural life. The festival is pioneering and influential within its fields, serving both as an important platform for emerging artists and as a venue that brings global stars to Norway,” says CEO Siri Haugan Holden.
The award ceremony took place during Vårt Nabolag (“Our Neighbourhood”), a festival series that Oslo World has organised at asylum reception centres since 2013. The event at Ringsaker also marked five years of festival activities at the reception centre and brought together local volunteers, partners, staff, and residents for a day of concerts, food, and activities.
“Vårt Nabolag is among the most important things we do. Receiving this award here, during an event centred on community, participation, and solidarity, makes it especially meaningful,” says Alexandra Archetti Stølen.
In 2025, Oslo World welcomed audiences to concerts and events featuring artists from more than 40 countries across 24 venues throughout Oslo. This year’s programme is still being developed, but the festival has already announced a number of outstanding artists from very different parts of the world, including the cumbia band Frente Cumbiero, cult trio Dirty Three, superstar Jovanotti, Sufi singer Sanam Marvi, flamenco sensation Yeraí Cortés, experimental music phenomenon Los Thuthanaka, critics’ favourite Lido Pimienta, and many more.
