What is this thing you’ve been invited to? Well, Borealis is a festival that presents new work within the worlds of new composition, improvisation, performance and sound based art – and everything in between. We occupy the city of Bergen for five days in March every year, and have for the last 21 years. Thanks to our longstanding collaboration with Music Norway and the Norwegian Embassies, we have the opportunity to invite a selected number of print and radio journalists, curators, festival organisers, academics and artists who might be interested in the festival and the field of experimental music and art, to attend Borealis every year through our Delegate Programme which runs on the weekend of the festival. The delegate programme involves going to concerts, talks and exhibitions, dining together with fellow colleagues from all over the world and enjoying the City of Bergen and its experimental music scene. 

The schedule for your days in Bergen will be available by the end of February. It is carefully planned out and contains information on all events you are taking part in, including meet-up spots and information on the walking we’ll be doing between venues and events. Most of the time you will be guided by your Delegate Coordinator İrem from one event to another, so finding your way will not be a problem.

Walking
Bergen is a small city and venues are never very far apart. We’ll move between venues by foot, so make sure you have some comfy shoes with you! For venues outside of the city we will be taking the bus, both private and public.

Jiennagoahti (listening lodge)
There will be guided tours to the very unique Sámi listening lodge Jiennagoahti. The listening lodge is placed on top of the city mountain Fløyen and is reachable by funicular and a light hike. You have will be split into groups for this experience and will receive info on which group you’re in by e-mail.

The Delegate List will be published late February. The list will provide you with information on all your fellow delegates. You will be spending some beautiful days in Bergen together so take a moment to familiarise yourself with the people on the list and get ready to make some new acquaintances.

INTENTION
We have put together a group of people that we think will benefit from spending time together that work within similar spheres of art and music, but also that can learn new things from each other. We hope you seize the opportunity to dedicate yourselves and your time to the group whilst in Bergen.

DELEGATE FOLDER
Upon arrival at the Festival Hotel, Hotel Heimen, you will receive your Delegate Folder in the reception with a welcome letter, your festival wristband, a programme leaflet and some merch. Make sure you ask for it if it is not handed to you automatically. If you are not staying in the Festival Hotel your folder will be in our Festival Hub & Kitchen at Mat & Prat
Open 12–16 March, 10.00–19.00 every day.

FESTIVAL WRISTBAND
The Delegate Wristband ensures you free entrance to all events at the festival. You will not be needing any tickets or additional booking – the wristband gets you in everywhere.

KEEPING YOU INFORMED
Every day of the festival you’ll receive an e-mail with a reminder of the schedule of the day and the first meet-up spot of the day. We will also be making a WhatsApp group to keep you informed during the week, and also for you to keep in touch with each other. If you don’t have WhatsApp we recommend you download it for the festival.

PACKING LIST
We will be taking you for listening experiences both up the mountain and in the cold sea/heated pool/hot sauna, and will be walking together to most venues around the city centre, so here are some essentialts to bring:
– swim wear (2 pairs if you’re really keen)
– bathrobe
– warm clothes
– waterproof jacket (ideally a warm one, or lots of layers to go underneath)
– comfortable waterproof shoes
– warm sweater 

ACCOMODATION
Our festival hotel is:
Hotel Heimen
C. Sundts gate 18
5004 Bergen
+4755334000

All delegates and artists stay in our Festival Hotel – Hotel Heimen. Breakfast is included in the stay. Upon arrival at the hotel you will receive your Delegate Welcome Package in the reception with a welcome letter, your delegate wristband, a programme leaflet and some merch. Just say your name in the reception, the hotel has you registered as a guest of the festival. Make sure you ask for the Delegate Welcome Package if it is not handed to you automatically. If you are covering parts of, or the whole stay yourself, make sure you settle your bill before checking out.

AIRPORT PICK-UP / AIRPORT BUS & CITY RAIL
If you are being picked up at the airport you will be notified via e-mail. We try to use public transport as much as possible so if you don’t get any pick-up info this is how you get into town:

OPTION 1 The cheapest way is the Bergen City Rail, only costing NOK 40 for a ticket. You can either buy a ticket on the machines at the station right at the exit of the airport or download the app Skyss Billett. Get off at the last stop: Byparken. From here it’s a 10 minute walk to the hotel.
OPTION 2 The other option is the airport bus Flybussen which also goes from outside the arrivals hall. Get off at: Torget. From here it’s a 5 minute walk to the hotel. The bus ride costs around NOK 150. 

Details on when and where you’ll be having lunch and dinner will be in your Delegate Schedule.

Breakfast
The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet every day
Monday-Friday 06.00-10.00
Saturday-Sunday 07.00-11.00

Festival Hub & Kitchen: Mat & Prat
Teatergaten 43
Lunch and dinner is provided by our Festival Kitchen: Mat & Prat. It will vary whether delegates have lunch in the Festival Kitchen or pick it up at a venue. All this will be clear through the schedule. All dinners will be served in the Festival Kitchen except a special Delegate Dinner over the weekend.

 We strive to be a welcoming, accessible and inclusive festival and we want you to enjoy your experience of being here with us. We ask everyone attending the festival to adhere to our Code of Conduct. 

AVOID PRECONCEPTIONS Keep an open mind. Don’t assume things about others. Everyone has a different life experience and may be struggling with challenges that are not always visible. 

SEEK CONSENT Be aware of other people’s boundaries. If unsure, ask for consent, and if someone says ‘no’ or asks you to stop something, then stop. Their bodies, their choice! 

RESPECT PRONOUNS Use the correct pronouns and avoid making assumptions. Ask people how they want to be addressed. 

CHECK YOUR PRIVILEGE Think about how you are occupying this space and the visible and invisible hierarchies that exist. Be aware of how your privilege perpetuates oppression and discrimination. 

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE Be kind, polite and respectful to others. We have a zero tolerance policy towards harassment and prejudice of any kind, including abusive, racist, sexist, misogynist, ableist, classist, sizeist, ageist, homophobic or transphobic language. 

LOOK AFTER ONE ANOTHER We’re all here in this space together – audiences, staff, volunteers and artists. Be considerate and treat one another with kindness and respect. 

TAKE A BREAK If you feel uncomfortable or need a break you can always leave the concert. Taking a break is OK! When you are ready, we’ll let you in as soon as possible. 

REPORT If you feel threatened, unwell or unsafe at any of our events, if you notice someone else being harassed or have any concerns about an individual’s behaviour, please report it to a member of staff, or to our Managing Director: agnes@borealisfestival.no/+47 45 68 53 70.