EuroPride 2020 Bid Book: Bergen Pride, Norway by European Pride Organisers Association

Bergen Reiselivslag / Per NybĂ¸ - visitBergen.com

United by pride

Table of contents Welcome to Bergen - 7 United by history – The history of the organization 10 – The history of Bergen Pride 15 – Timeline history 18 United by vision – The vision of EuroPride 2020 in Bergen 24 Untied by politics – The political program of EuroPride 2020 30 United by culture – The cultural program of EuroPride 2020 34 – The program of EuroPride 2020 35 United by visibility – Marketing plan for EuroPride 2020 56 United by progress – Business plan for EuroPride 2020 63 United by people -Application board and contact information 68 United by community – The LGBTIQ community in Bergen 73 United by dance – LGBTIQ nightlife in Bergen 78 United by Bergen – Information about the host City 82 United by support – Support letters for EuroPride 2020 in Bergen 100

United by pride

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

EuroPride 2020 – Bergen Bergen Pride is proud to apply for the hosting license of EuroPride 2020. The news of Bergen Pride´s effort to bring this colorful event to the city has gotten an overwhelming support from the city´s population, businesses, organizations and political parties. Together with our allies and partners, among them The City Council, we are very happy to show you our vision for a EuroPride 2020 in Bergen.

United by pride

Welcome to EuroPride 2020 in Bergen Bergen is currently one of Norway´s most culturally diverse cities, packed with history and tradition. Ever since King Olav Kyrre sailed into the charming harbor and founded the city in the year of 1070 AD, Bergen has attracted people from all over the world. Bergen became an important European city of trade in the 13th century, as the Hanseatic League opened one of their four offices on the wharf. This made Bergen a European hub of commerce, seafaring and craftsmanship. It was one of the most important cities in Europe at the time and a place where people from all over Europe gathered. Bergen is often referred to as “the gateway to the fjords” and it is a beautiful harbor city surrounded by seven large mountains and scenic surroundings. During EuroPride 2020, the entire city will be lit up in the colors of the rainbow and in that way, send an important message throughout Europe: that love and diversity will always win over hate and segregation. EuroPride in Bergen will combine Bergen in the Hanseatic era, uniting Europeans, with present day’s Bergen, and use our position as one of the most progressive countries for LGBTIQ-people in Europe, to create development through dialogue, debate, and politics. Even though pride is a celebration, a EuroPride in Bergen will highlight pride’s position in the struggle for all people to be free to be who they are, and love the one they love. Through important debates, grand parties, interesting discussions and magical concerts, Bergen, as a host city, will continue EuroPride’s proud traditions and symbolic values on the way to a united Europe. Welcome to Bergen – the city under the rainbow.

United by pride

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by history sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by history

United by history

1950 - The beginning of a movement FRI â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Norwegian Organization for Sexual and Gender Diversity was founded in 1950 under the name Den Norske Seksjon, Forbundet af 1948 (DNF-48). At first it was a branch of the Danish organization Det danske Forbundet af 1948, but in 1953 it became an independent organization.

1970 - The movement came to Bergen In 1970 the gay activist, Kenneth Brophy, decided that the gay and lesbian community in Bergen needed to get organized. He then visited different spots where gay people gathered, such as urinals and private parties, to recruit gay men and women to join the association of DNF-48. He succeeded at his mission, and the local branch of DNF-48 in Bergen was born. Their first fight was against the paragraph 213, which was the paragraph in the Norwegian law that criminalized gay men.

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1972 – Abolishing of paragraph 213 In 1972 the long fight against paragraph 213 was finally over, and DNF-48 had won when the government abolished the law, many thanks to work done by the gay activist, Kim Friele. Friele was the first open lesbian woman in Norway and the president of DNF-48 from 1966 to 1971.

1979 – A time of division In November 1978, the annual assembly of the association DNF-48 resolved to exclude several of its members, under the pretext that they were members or supporters of The Workers’ Communist Party and therefore represented an anti-gay stance, as it was expressed in a working document from the management of this party. When the exclusions were confirmed at DNF-48s annual general meeting in April 1979, the opposition founded HBB – Homofil Bevegelse i Bergen on May 24th, 1979 in Bergen. Shortly after, the foundation HBB invited several other local organizations around the country to a seminar in Bergen. This seminar resulted in the foundation of FHO – Fellesrådet for Homofile og Lesbiske Organsasjoner i Norge. Skeivt Arkiv

United by history

1992 – A step in the right direction After several years of conflict between the different wings of the gay movement, the hatches were buried at the beginning of the 90s, and in 1992 all the organizations merged and formed LLH – Landsforeningen for lesbisk og homofil frigjøring (National Association of Lesbian and Gay Liberation). The following year, the country´s gay movement won a great victory, when Norway became the second country in world to introduce domestic partnership for same-sex couples. 12

United by history

2008 – When love won In 2008 the government adopted a common, unified marriage act that allowed same-sex couples to marry, and because of the change in legislation, same-sex couples also gained adoption rights. Same year, the association LLH changed its name to Landsforeningen for lesbiske, homofile, bifile og transpersoner (The National Association for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people) at their annual convention.

2016 – Finally free In 2016, after almost 12 years of debating, the association finally changed its name to FRI – Foreningen for kjønns- og seksualitetsmangfold (FRI- The Norwegian Organization for Sexual and Gender Diversity). The new name was meant as a tribute to those who spearheaded the struggle for equality and inclusion, but at the same time it would embrace a larger group of people, and show more clearly what the organization strives for. The same year as the organization changes its name to FRI, the fight for equality wins more ground in Norway, when the Government finally lets people decide their own gender, and the Church of Norway allows same sex couples to get married within the church. Skeivt Arkiv

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History of Bergen Pride: 1980 – Bergen Pride was born The out breakers of DNF-48, HBB, created the pride festival «Homodagene i Bergen» (The Gay Days in Bergen), which saw the light of day for the first time in 1980. One of the first parades were held in 1981, with around 30 participants. In front marched Torstein Dahle, who was both the leader of HBB at that time and politician for The Workers’ Communist Party, while the rest of the participants marched behind him wearing a large snake-costume to hide their identity.

1992 – Establishment of the gay community In 1992, the same year as LLH was founded, the oldest gay bar in Bergen – Fincken – opened its doors for the first time. The gay and lesbian population in Bergen finally had their own official nightclub, and the gay community flourished. The growth and visibility of the gay community also affected the pride festival «Homodagene i Bergen» and in this period, it reached its peak since the launching 1980. Never had the festival pulled such an audience to their events. The gay community kept on thriving into the 2000s, and in the following years the community grew larger. Bergen Pride was founded as privately run festival in 2001, and in 2004 Norway´s largest Eurovision fan event – Parodi Grand Prix – was created in Bergen. In the time that followed, several new gay bars appeared, as well as other pride festivals and Galla events. A large, gay community had now been established in Bergen. 14

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2008 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; When the music stopped At the same time as Norway got a law of equal marriage, the development of the queer community in Bergen had finally come to a halt. The thriving community that had emerged in the 90s, and peaked just a few years earlier, slowly started to dissolve. Bergen could no longer compete with its opponent Oslo, and several of the enthusiasts in the community moved to the capital. Bergen Pride, as well as several of the gay bars and other queer events, went bankrupt. Fincken was left as the only surviving gay bar, but they also faced hard times, with low visitor numbers. The local branch of the association LLH decided to save Bergen Pride by taking back the festival. But by then the gay community in Bergen had almost completely vanished. The cityÂ´s queer winter-festival was closed, and the popular event Gay Galla was organized for the last time in 2010. Skeivt Arkiv

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2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rise like a Phoenix In 2012 LLH Bergen & Hordaland wanted to reestablish the festival, and gave it the new name â&#x20AC;&#x153;Regnbuedagene i Bergenâ&#x20AC;?. The new name was meant to embrace a larger group of people, and mark a new beginning for the local pride-festival. The festival in 2013 marked a turning point, and finally the audience began returning. With 500 people in the parade, this was the biggest pride festival in history of Bergen Pride. But it was not until 2014, the same year as Conchita Wurst won the Eurovision song contest with the song Rise like a Phoenix, that the pride festival in Bergen did exactly that. This year the festival set a historical record with over 1000 people in the parade, and people travelling from all over Norway to attend the pride festival.

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2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; History in the making Since 2014 the pride festival has grown bigger for each year, and this year Bergen Pride was larger than ever. Over 10,000 people marched in the parade the 10th of June and almost 20,000 people attended the pride. The festival now has its very own Pride Park, a three-day free music festival located in charming settings, with concerts, shows, quizzes, DJs, food and beverage service, as well as a stand area where different organizations and political parties contribute to spreading knowledge about different aspects of the lives of LGBTIQ-people. The festival also has a week-long political program at Pride House which has become one of Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest platform for debate on issues regarding LGBTIQ-people.

2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The host of EuroPride In 2020 thousands from all over Europe will dance through the streets of Europe, and gather in the historic city of Bergen to celebrate love and diversity during EuroPride 2020. This will be a EuroPride intended to gather the movement in Europe, and unite us all by pride. United we will celebrate the progression made all over Europe, and continue for the fight for us all to be free. Let pride unite us all, and vote Bergen for EuroPride 2020!

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

United by history

Timeline: 1902 – §213 Norway gets a new penal code that criminalizes sex between men. 1950 – Forbundet av 1948 A Norwegian branch of the Danish organization Forbundet av 1948 is established. 1953 – DNF-48 The Norwegian branch of Forbundet av 1948 becomes an independent organization under the name Det Norske Forbundet av 1948. 1961 – Eddie Espelid Eddie Espelid is the first person to get gender reassignment hormone treatment.

1965 – Homosexuality on radio NRK broadcasts the first radio program about homosexuality. 1966- FPE-NE The Scandinavian organization Full Personality Expression Northern Europe (FPE-NE) is founded. It changes its name to Forbundet for Transpersoner i Norge (FTPN) in 2014. 1970 – Bergen The gay community in Bergen gets organized. 1972 – Abolishing §213 Article 213 of the General civil penal code, which criminalized sex between men, was abolished. 1975 – Lesbian Movement Lesbisk Bevegelse (Lesbian Movement) is founded. 1976 – Open Church Group Open Church Group is founded and takes an important part in the struggle for same sex love in the church.

United by history

1977 – No longer a disease The Norwegian Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from their list of mental disorders. 1979 - FHO Fellesrådet for homofile og lesbiske organisasjoner i Norge (FHO) is founded.

1980 – Bergen Pride Bergen Pride is born under the name Homodagene i Bergen. 1981 – First parade in Bergen The first pride parade is organized in Bergen with about 30 participants.

1981 – Anti-discrimination A separate anti-discrimination act that protects homosexuals is put in place. 1983 – Gay and Lesbian Health Norway Gay and Lesbian Health Norway is founded as a response to the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men. 1987 – AIDS The National Association Against AIDS is founded, and The Church City Mission opens Aksept, The first Norwegian center for HIV positive and people with AIDS.

1988 – The Henki-ruling The supreme court rules in the so-called Henki-ruling that AIDS and a positive HIV-status are not valid grounds for termination.

1989 – IFG International Friendship Group (IFG) is founded, to promote friendship across border of culture and ethnicity. The neutral name is chosen to hide the fact that this is a gay organization.

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1992 – LLH LLH – Landsforeningen for lesbisk og homofil frigjøring (National Association of Lesbian and Gay Liberation) is founded. In 2016 the organization changed its name to FRI – The Norwegian Association for sexual and gender diversity.

1992 – Fincken The first official gay bar in Bergen, Fincken, opens.

1993 – Domestic partnership Norway became the second country in world to introduce domestic partnership for same-sex couples. 1999 – Norwegian Bears Norwegian Bears is founded.

2000 – The National Association for Transsexuals The National Association for Transsexuals is founded as a patient organization for people with the diagnose transsexualism. Changes its name to Harry Benjamin resource center in 2009.

2004 – Queer World Queer World is founded, from 2010 as an independent national organization, for LGBTIQ-people with minority background.

2004 – Queer Youth Queer Youth is founded, as the first Norwegian youth organization for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. 2008 – Equal marital rights The government adopted a common, unified marriage act that allowed samesex couples to marry. The change in legislation also gave same-sex couples adoption rights, and lesbian couples gained rights to IV-fertilization.

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2008 – Action plan The government implements an action plan to better the quality of life for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

2010 – Removing diagnoses The directorate of Health removes the diagnoses transvestite, fetishist and sadomasochist.

2011 – LGBT Center The government establishes the LGBT Center, an information center for sexual orientation and gender identity under the Ministry of Children, Youth and Family Affairs. 2012 – Asylum seekers The Supreme Court approves a gay Iranian citizen’s application for residence in Norway, and the law creates precedent for similar cases the following years. 2014 – Anti-discrimination A new anti-discrimination act that criminalizes discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression is adopted.

2016 – Change of legal gender A new law is adopted which give people who experience belonging to a different gender than the one registered the right to change their legal gender based on their own gender identity without any diagnosis or medical treatment.

2015 – Queer Archive Queer Archive, the Norwegian Archive and knowledge center for queer history opens at the University library in Bergen.

2016 – Same sex marriage in the Norwegian Church In 2016 the Church of Norway said yes to equal marriage in the Norwegian church.

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United by pride

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by vision sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by vision

Vision of EuroPride, and how to reach it Norway is often considered one of the most progressive countries in regards to equality, due to equality in legislation such as marriage, adoption, IVF-fertilization, anti-discrimination and hate crime laws. Despite the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand social and political development over the last 50 years, there are still challenges for the LGBTIQcommunity in Norway. We see that depression, suicide attempts, and unfortunate use of drugs are significantly higher among young LGBTIQ-people than others, and with the increased immigration and changings in social structure, new challenges has emerged. The LGBTIQ-environment in Norway has the resent years witnessed a greater threat from right wing extremists and neo-Nazi groups. In 2016 our sister festival in the south experienced an attack by Den Nordiske Motstandsfronten, where they burned our rainbow flags and photographed pride parade participants to leak them online. In the spring of 2017 the same neo-Nazi group announced that they would march in Fredrikstad this summer, along with their members from other Scandinavian countries. The growth of right-wing extremism is not only visible in Norway, but is also showing strong advancement all over Europe. Some times through political channels, other times through militant movements. Common for all of them is their hatred against diversity and they have thus made everyone who go against the norms for gender and sexuality their enemies. They have promised a battle against those working to improve the lives of LGBTIQ-people. This kind of evil comes in many forms, and can be hidden behind both religious, political and social convictions. These hateful forces set out to create division and to set minorities up against one another. This way they create an illusion that minorities are a threat to each other, and thus a division between us, which again contributes to their fight against diversity. Throughout history, we have seen that when one minority loses its rights, another minority is next in line, and these kinds of human rights violations rarely come alone. A country lacking in rights for LGBTIQ-people and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights, will most of the time also have a limited freedom of speech and sense of democracy. Therefore, it will always be important for minorities to stand together in the fight against hateful and extreme forces, and to support each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fight regardless of political opinion, sexuality, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, or ethnicity. Bergen will strive to create a EuroPride that opposes this hatred with love, diversity and unity across our borders. The Bergen vision for EuroPride will be a EuroPride that gathers the LGBTIQ-movement and our allies in Europe, and creates a sense of belonging that sends the signal that nobody is alone. Despite the fact that EuroPride will be hosted in Norway, we will focus largely on creating events and activities in other countries and regions in Europe. Bergen will implement a series of measures to meet our vision for EuroPride 2020, and below we will present some of the plans we have to reach this goal.

United by vision

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

European Committee of EuroPride in Bergen To meet the Bergen vision of EuroPride 2020, it is important that we create a festival that embraces the entire LGBTIQ-movement in Europe, where everyone will feel welcome and be able to participate in both the fight, and the celebration. This can be challenging as the situation for LGBTIQ-people will vary from country to country and region to region. The challenges for LGBTIQ-people in different countries will vary according to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political, and social situation as well as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy, culture and history. The situation for different people may also vary greatly within the different countries and regions, and oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal situation may be affected by their economic situation, religious background or ethnicity. Being able to create a EuroPride that embraces all of Europe and reflects the diversity within the community will therefore always be challenging. Bergen wants EuroPride 2020 to be an inclusive event, that appreciates the diversity in Europe and facilitates a EuroPride where everyone feels welcome. To achieve this goal, Bergen will appoint a European Committee of EuroPride Bergen (ECEB) consisting of activists from other pride festivals in Europe. Bergen will launch an application process where you can apply to be a part of this committee, and strongly encourages our sister festivals under the umbrella of EPOA to convey this information to their committed members. The European Committee of EuroPride Bergen will consist of 6 people who will represent different regions in Europe, as well as a diverse range of ethnicity, disability, religion, sexuality, gender, gender identity and gender expression. The committee will have full insight in the planning of EuroPride 2020 in Bergen, and will have the mandate to change the direction of the plans of the festival if they feel the plans do not include everyone in our European community. This will help the festival to reach further and facilitate a more diverse audience during the festival.

United by vision

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

International LGBTIQ Conference against hate crime and hate speech During EuroPride 2020 Bergen will host a grand international conference that will raise the issues of hate crime and hate speech. We will invite victims of hate crime, LGBTIQ-activists who are currently working on the issue, and organizations and politicians who have managed to reduce hate crime in different areas, to the conference. Norway has a long history of being a nation engaged in peace and reconciliation processes, and in international human rights issues, and has hosted several major international conferences raising difficult issues. Bergen, as the first Norwegian city in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rainbow Cities Networkâ&#x20AC;?, is in many ways a pioneer in this countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political work for sexual and gender diversity, and placing such a conference here would send an important political message. Bergen is also a perfect location for a conference. The hotels and conference venues in Bergen are of the highest international standards, and the city is ideal for conference events for up to 2100 participants. This conference will also raise awareness and serve as a reminder for the Norwegian government and citizens, of their responsibility to work on these issues both locally and internationally, and help clarify what Norway can do to improve the situation for LGTBQI-people outside our own borders.

Pride where you are To meet the visions of Europride on taking a part in uniting Europe, we wish to create an opportunity to be part of the EuroPride celebration regardless of where you are, your financial or your personal situation. Therefore, we will collaborate with Norwegian embassies all over Europe in hosting local EuroPride events and parties. The embassies will have their own Pride-events with outdoor big screens broadcasting live from EuroPride in Bergen. 26

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“United by love – The Travelling Heart” EuroPride in Bergen 2020 will be a EuroPride that seeks to gather Europe in their faith in love, and on that note, we are introducing our campaign: “United by Love – The Travelling Heart”. The base of this campaign will consist of a sculpture of a large rainbow colored heart that will be placed in Vienna during EuroPride 2019. The audience and participants of EuroPride will be encouraged to write on the heart what “love” means to them. For some people love can be a partner, for others it may be their family or friends. At the end of EuroPride 2019 we will, in collaboration with other pride festivals under the umbrella of EPOA, send the heart on a tour of Europe with the destination; Bergen. The heart will spend a year on this journey, and in cooperation with various pride festivals we want to create visibility when the heart arrives in the host city. This may be a party to promote the host city’s pride festival in 2020, or a debate to focus on the situation for the country’s LGBTIQ-community. Once the heart has visited a host city for a period of time, and a number of people have written their definition of “love” on it, the heart will be sent to a new host city. During one year the heart will have visited several European cities and sister pride festivals, before it travels the remaining bit to Bergen. The heart will travel this last part by boat, as the old Hanseatics did, and arrive at the harbor and Bryggen at the opening of EuroPride 2020, where it will stand throughout the EuroPride weeks. The heart will then be filled with messages about what love is, from several thousand people from all over Europe, and it will stand in Bergen as a symbol of the message that love will always beat hatred and fear, and that Europe is united in the fight against hateful and extremist forces. We wish this to be a project with which the various pride festivals that are part of the EPOA can collaborate, and by that visualize all the local pride festivals, as well as EuroPride 2020 in Bergen.

Thomas Hill, Ben Andreas Harding/Gaysir.no

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United by pride

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by politics sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by politics

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

Political program during EuroPride 2020 EuroPride in Bergen will be a political platform that will contribute to a positive change for LGBTIQ-people in Norway, as well as abroad, and will be the key to reaching the vision of a united LGBTIQ-movement in Europe. Pride stems from the Stonewall uprising in 1969, and started as a political markup for gays and lesbians. Since 1969 pride has changed drastically and today it is considered a celebration of diversity rather, than a demonstration for rights.

United by politics

Bergen Pride believes that there is still a long way to go before all people can be free to be who they are, and love who they love. This is why the political part of the program will be the cornerstone of EuroPride in Bergen. Bergen Pride wishes to use Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position as one of the most progressive countries regarding equality, to create a platform where new voices, thoughts and ideas can be heard. The festival will facilitate a political arena that will showcase international topics. A EuroPride in Bergen will contribute to a positive change in Europe, and provide a voice for those who are not always heard. The festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political program will be on the activistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; terms.

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United by pride

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by culture sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by culture

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

Cultural program during EuroPride 2020 In addition to being a political festival, EuroPride will be a cultural festival that aims to highlight both the history of Bergen, and queer culture. Queer culture has often been characterized and inspired by the political climate in which the group has existed, and it is often the art and culture that has contradicted the norms for gender and sexuality, and challenged the norms of the majority. The queer culture has in a number of historic settings been used as a means to promote political issues for the queer community. Queer culture is still such an instrument, that can help to prevent prejudice as well as help create a sense of belonging among the LGBTIQ-population. The program during EuroPride will focus on showcasing queer artists and queer culture to create a diverse cultural content. EuroPride 2020 in Bergen will work with several different organizations and groups, bars and night clubs, theaters, museums, art galleries, concert venues and event producers to create a festive, diverse and colorful cultural program for EuroPride. EuroPride in Bergen will also help strengthen the cityÂ´s position as an attractive tourist destination, and the festival wants to take advantage of everything the city of Bergen has to offer in the cultural program. Such as concerts on the top of the mountain Ulriken, family events at mount FlĂ¸ien, and Pride in the fjords. Let pride connect with both history and nature.

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Events during EuroPride 2020 in Bergen 5th of august

Opening Ceremony In 2020 the organized gay movement in Norway celebrates its 70th anniversary, and the organized gay movement in Bergen its 50th. The opening ceremony will be a tribute to those who have marched in front and fought many battles from 1950 until today. All the victories have cost a lot for many of the activists. The opening ceremony will focus on these battles. The opening ceremony will take place at Troldhaugen, the home of the famous composer, Edvard Grieg. 130 years after Grieg composed “Old Norwegian Romance with Variations” the piece will be performed in his home, with a dance interpretation of the queer history in Norway. Through contemporary dance, a dance company will bring us on a journey through all the victories the movement has won, and show what it took for so many people to make it happen. The dance will remind us that our rights didn´t come for free, and that they must never be taken for granted. In this way, we want to honor those who have fought the battles to make Norway the country it is today with equal rights, and room for diversity among its inhabitants. The festival wants to invite both domestic and international activists who have contributed to a positive change in society to this ceremony. The ceremony will be dedicated to the activists who have been fighting as well as those who are still fighting for a society where you can be who you want to be, and love who you love. The festival will invite the mayor, the prime minister and the king/queen to officially open EuroPride 2020. United by culture

Bergen Reiselivslag / Robin Strand – visitBergen.com

6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12th of August

Pride House Pride House is an arena for debate, where talks, debates and film screenings with LGBTIQ-topics will take place. The events address both local and international issues, with guests ranging from parliamentarians and international guests to local politicians and activists. Throughout the recent years, Pride House has hosted debates on gender, religion and feminism, as well as local and international politics. During EuroPride the debates will have an even greater focus on international issues, including the growing threat from far-right extremists, and we want activists from all around the world as guests. Pride House has a continuous cooperation with human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and the Rafto-foundation.

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5 – 8th of August

Rainbow Cities Network – conference in Bergen

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Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

Bergen was the first Norwegian city became a part of the international project “Rainbow Cities Network”, a network that works to ensure the rights of LGBTIQ-people. The network´s main function is to be an arena for exchange of experiences and practices, and to be a platform where the countries can learn from each other. During EuroPride, representatives from all the cities in the network will meet in Bergen, and this will be an excellent way of exchanging knowledge about the work against discrimination of LGBTIQ-people worldwide.

5 - 8th of August

Youth Conference During EuroPride, we will organize a youth conference in cooperation with IGLYO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth and Student Organization. This organization works towards the goal that all young people shall be able to express and define their own sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. The conference will focus on various topics related to being young and queer in Europe.

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

United by culture

8th August

Rainbow Night Party Rainbow Night is the ordinary closing party for Bergen Pride, and is an inclusive party where everyone is welcome. The party typically consists of a drag show combined with an after party with various music genres in different areas. Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

United by culture

10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14th of August

Art exhibitions Queer Archive is the Norwegian national archive for queer and LGBTIQ history, which is a part of the library at the University of Bergen. The archives will curate an art exhibition that will display the history of the organized gay movement in Norway from 1950 until today. This will be a part of the festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort to highlight activists who have helped to fight for the rights for LGBTIQ-people. The festival will also start a dialogue with other art institutions in Bergen, including KODE - the art museums in Bergen, and queer artists, to facilitate a broad art program during the festival.

United by culture

10 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12th of August

International LGBTIQ Conference against hate crime and hate speech Hate crime against the LGBTIQ community is a cause that concerns us all, and it is happening all over the world. More than 1 out of 4 LGBTIQ individuals has either experienced physical/sexual violence or threats within the last 5 years, according to theÂ 2012 survey conducted by the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). Highlighting this issue will be the main purpose of the International LGBTIQ Conference against hate crime. We will invite victims of hate crime, LGBTIQ-activists who are currently working on the issue, and organizations and politicians who have managed to reduce hate crime in different areas, to the conference. As a delegate at the conference, you will be able to exchange experiences, communicate with others who are working against hate crime and hate speech, and establish contacts.

Pamflett Studio

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12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 15th of August

Pride Park Pride Park during EuroPride will be organized in collaboration with the fortress Bergenhus and the main organizer of music festivals and large concerts in Bergen, Bergen Live. This outdoor music festival will take place at, and outside the fortress, and it will be a cultural and musical arena, as well as a place to spread knowledge about human rights and queer culture. The fortress will be transformed into a colorful park that will contain stands from various organizations, food- and beverage services, and concerts at different stages. The festival will have a social profile and make sure that everyone has an opportunity to take part in the celebration, regardless of their personal finances. Therefore, the park will be free to enter for everyone. In collaboration with Bergen Live, we will also host a concert with an internationally known artist, during which the fortress will be able to hold 22 000 visitors.

United by culture

12 – 15th of August

Pride Park – for families In cooperation with the theater group, Fyllingsdalen Theater, the park will organize family friendly events with the outdoor theater performance Hekseringen. The park will be an arena where all kinds of families will feel welcome.

12 – 15th of august

Pride Park Historical perspective The festival will also collaborate with the Bergen City Museum, and facilitate events in the different museums that exist in and near the fortress. The festival will cooperate with the Bergen City Museum by facilitating tours where the public is given the opportunity to see the castle, the Tower of Rosenkrantz, and other historic sights while visiting the park. This way EuroPride in Bergen will also showcase the city´s history.

United by culture

15th of August

Parade The official parade during EuroPride 2020 till be the largest parade Bergen has ever seen. The parade will change its route to make room for all the participants. There will be grandstands at Festplassen and Bryggen where the audience can watch the parade. At Bryggen there will also be a stage with entertainment along the parade route. To give the parade a â&#x20AC;&#x153;touch of Bergenâ&#x20AC;? there will be a parallel parade with boats in the ocean from Jekteviken into VĂĽgen, the harbor in Bergen, where the two parades will meet.

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

United by culture

15th of August

Closing ceremony With the conclusion of EuroPride 2020 the people of Bergen will do what they do best; make a grand party for all its residents. The festival committee wants to end this 11day long festival with a concert and a light show in the middle of the harbor VĂĽgen. There will be a stage at Torget (the town square) with entertainment from 19:00-21:00. In VĂĽgen, there will be a floating stage where there will be held speeches and concerts from 21.00. When the entertainment on stage is finished there will be a light show in the colors of the rainbow.

United by culture

15th of August

Youth Party Together with Queer Youth Hordaland, EuroPride 2020 in Bergen will organize an amazing closing party for all youth under the age of 30. This is a safe space for all LGBTIQ-youth.

Bergen Reiselivslag / Eivind Senneset â&#x20AC;&#x201C; visitBergen.com

15th of August

“United by dance” – Official closing party EuroPride 2020 in Bergen will end with the one thing that unifies us; dance. The official closing party will be the biggest pride party in the history of Norway, and will take place at a large venue with several rooms with a wide range in music and different themes. The party will be open for all genders and be a place where you can feel safe to be who you are, and love who you love. The party will host different Norwegian and international DJs, concerts and shows.

Thelise S.H. Photography

United by culture

16th of August

Pride in the fjords What way to cure your hangover is better than to take your pride to the famous Norwegian fjords? On Sunday August 16, we will host an after party on a large boat travelling up and down the fjords.

Bergen Reiselivslag / Girish Chouhan - visitBergen.com

United by culture

Program: 1. August: Pre EuroPride party

5. August: Opening ceremony at Troldhaugen

6. August:

Official opening of Pride House

6. August – 12. August: Pride House with political program

5. August – 8. August:

Rainbow Cities Network Conference

5. August. – 8. August: Youth conference

8. August: Rainbow Night Party

United by culture

9 . august: Rainbow church service

10. August – 12. August:

International LGBTIQ-conference against hate crime and hate speech

12. August:

Opening of Pride Park

12 – 15. August: Pride Park with various concerts and activities

15. August:

Parade Closing ceremony Youth Party “United by dance” The official EuroPride closing party

16. August:

Pride in the fjords

United by culture

Other events

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

United by culture

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

Karaoke – Drag-workshop – Concerts – shows – theater performances Scavenger hunt – Book readings – Movies – Bondage workshop – sports Fetish events – Workouts – Poetry nights – cafés – Queer Galla – Rainbow church service

United by culture

United by pride

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by visibility sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by visibility

PR and marketing strategy for Bergen EuroPride 2020 Any marketing done for EuroPride 2020 in Bergen will be consistent with the values and vision of the festival, and all marketing campaigns and advertisement will reflect the colourful diversity of our community. The marketing of EuroPride Bergen 2020 will commence shortly after the city has been awarded the EuroPride 2020 hosting licence.

24th September, 2017

If Bergen is awarded the hosting licence of Europride 2020, this news will be released in Bergen around the same time as the city is hosting the 2017 UCI Road World Championship. There will be closer to 600 000 people visiting, and with international press present in the city, we would be able to create excitement around the fact that Bergen will get to host such a big and colourful event in 2020.

Autumn, 2017:

Social Media campaign to spread the news about Bergen hosting EuroPride 2020. The campaign will be directed broadly across the European market.

Autumn, 2017:

Launching of EuroPride Bergen 2020’s website, social media presence and graphic profile.

Autumn, 2017 – July 2020:

Visit Bergen – Bergen Tourist Board will promote EuroPride Bergen at every convention they visit, between the city being awarded the hosting licence, until the festival opens in 2020.

June, 2018:

International press from queer magazines/blogs will be invited to come to Bergen during Bergen Pride 2018.

27th July – 19th August, 2018:

Participate at EuroPride in Gothenburg and Stockholm.

United by visibility

May/June 2019:

Participate at EuroPride 2019 in Vienna

June 2019 – July 2020:

The travelling heart – the campaign will commence during EuroPride in Vienna, before travelling through Europe. Please see chapter on this underneath the heading: “Vision of EuroPride”

June 2019:

Participate at World Pride in New York city.

June 2019:

Journalists from different queer magazines and blogs will be invited to participate during Bergen Pride 2019, so we can exhibit the city and the festival. There will be an organized round trip specifically for press, which will entail what the festival, the city and the region has to offer of both a beautiful community and beautiful nature.

Summer 2019:

Participate at a number of pride festivals throughout Europe.

May 2019 – July 2020: International campaign of solidarity: “United by pride”

The festival wants to steer the focus towards challenges LBGTQI-people in different countries and regions of Europe meets. Therefore, EuroPride Bergen 2020 will launch an international campaign of solidarity. We want to ask queer activists from all over Europe to send videos of them talking about the situation for LGBTIQ people in their country/region, and encourage people to participate at EuroPride 2020 by referring to the strength that arises when we are united. This campaign will be important to show that EuroPride is not just a party, but also an arena for a united fight for human rights and better living conditions.

November 2019 – June 2020:

Advertisement directed towards the European market. This campaign will focus on Bergen and EuroPride 2020 as a travel destination.

January 2020 – June 2020:

Cooperate with all the artists booked for the festival to communicate their participation at EuroPride 2020 and to encourage all of their fans to participate as well.

United by visibility

Outdoor marketing Lighting iconic landmarks in rainbow colors

United by pride

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by progress sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by progress

United by progress

Business plan Bergen Pride is owned by FRI – The Norwegian organization for sexual and gender diversity’s branch in Bergen and Hordaland, and it is Bergen Pride in cooperation with the board of FRI Bergen and Hordaland that will appoint the board for EuroPride 2020. Should Bergen be awarded the license of EuroPride 2020 the sitting president of Bergen Pride will resign from this position to take over as chairman of the board of EuroPride. The new president of Bergen Pride will then manage the annual festival in cooperation with the chairman of EuroPride Bergen 2020. The chairman, in cooperation with the management of FRI Bergen and Hordaland, will hire a EuroPride coordinator who will start in January 2018, and a managing director that will start towards the end of 2018. The rest of the board and working group will mainly be based on volunteer work from committed individuals. In order to host such a large event in Bergen the EuroPride board will also collaborate with several local companies and individuals working within Bergen’s arts and entertainment industry. Bergen is a city of culture, and will in the upcoming years be the host of several large events such as UCI Road World Championship in 2017, Fjordsteam in 2018 and Tall Ship Race in 2019. Bringing EuroPride to Bergen for 2020 has a large support in the City Council, and is proudly supported by all the members in the City Government. Through the Action Plan for Inclusion of Gender and Sexual Diversity in Bergen, the city council has decided that the municipality of Bergen will support Bergen Pride’s bid for EuroPride 2020, and will contribute both financially and as a strategic partner and host. The festival will also receive public support from other government agencies such as the county council; Hordaland fylkeskommune, relevant ministries and directorates, and through public grants. EuroPride Bergen 2020 will also apply for financial support from various NGOs to fund larger European projects. The attached budget for EuroPride 2020 in Bergen is based on the festival’s experience from 2017, and may alter during the three years leading up to the event. There may occur changes based on inflation, changes in the program and events, and/or the need for further employment to manage the festival. Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

United by progress

Budget Income

Opening Ceremony

Pride House

RNC Conference

Youth Conference

Rainbow Night

Art International Exhibitions Conference

Pride Park

VIP Ticket sales

€

5 000,00

€

Ticket sales

€

€ 15 000,00

€

Sponsor ship

€

€ 10 000,00

€

35 000,00

€

2 000,00

Beverage sales

€

150 000,00

Donations

€

Public funding

€

Other grants / funding

€

€ 10 000,00

€

5 000,00

€ 5 000,00

€

Add sales

€

1 000,00

€

10 000,00

Sales stand

€

45 000,00

€

€ 16 000,00

€

€ 6 000,00

Expences

5 000,00

1 000,00

€ 7 000,00

Pride House

€ 5 000,00

€ 30 000,00

RNC Conference

Youth Conference

Rainbow Night

€

300,00

€

2 000,00

€

2 000,00

€

1 000,00

5 000,00

€ 252 000,00

Art Exhibitions

International Conference

Pride Park

€

500,00

€

35 000

1 000,00

€

2 000,00

€

1 000

€

500,00

€

500,00

€

107 500

Security

€

Rental venue

€

4 000,00

€ 10 000,00

€ 2 000,00

€

Stage/Sound light

€

1 000,00

€

Sanitation / cleaning

€

5 000

Personell Expenses

€

500,00

€

500,00

€

6 000

Marketing / promotional

€

500,00

€

30 000

Electricity

€

30 000

Entertainments

€

500,00

€

Insurance

€

Tribune

€

Travel

€

1 000,00

€

1 250,00

€

3 000,00

€

4 000,00

€

1 000,00

€

2 500,00

€

10 000

Accomodation

€

2 000,00

€

5 000,00

€

3 000,00

€

1 500,00

€

1 000,00

€

3 500,00

€

75 000

Production expenses

€

500,00

€

1 000,00

€

500,00

€

2 000

€

25 000

€

750,00

€

500,00

€

500,00

€

150,00

€

500,00

€

1 200

Lisencing fee EPOA

€

Administration fees from 2017 - 2020

€

All expences

€ 17 750,00

Equipment rental Catering

Total:United by pride

8 000,00

€

1 000,00

€

Opening Ceremony

€

10 000,00

Food sales

All income:

The budget is for three years, with the total amount of 11 590 000 NOK, or 1 159 000 Euro. 1 Euro = 10 NOK.

1 000,00

1 500,00

1 000,00

€ €

1 000,00 15 000,00

€ €

1 000,00

€

500,00

€

1 000,00

€ 100 000

€ 1 000,00

€

€ 19 250,00

€ 3 500,00

1 000,00

€ 10 800,00

€ 26 000,00

€ 5 650,00

€ 11 000,00

1 000

€ 428 700

Closing Ceremony

Parade €

Pride in the Fjords

€

15 000,00

€

45 000,00

€

3 000,00

5 000,00

€

Closing Party

Various parties

2 000,00

€

€ 8 000,00

Comedy /drag shows

The travelling heart

€

10 000,00

€

47 000,00

€

25 000,00

€

93 000,00

Total:

€

76 500,00

€

2 000,00

€

150 000,00

€

500,00

€

500,00

€

660 000,00

€

50 000,00

€

35 000,00

€

45 000,00

€ 10 000,00 €

€

20 000,00

5 000,00

€

€ 15 000,00

€

0,00

€

0,00

€

2 500,00

0,00

€

0,00

€

Closing Party

4 000,00

3 000,00

€

6 000,00

€

€ 123 000,00

€

7 500,00

€

1 000,00

€

1 250,00

€

500,00

€

1 200,00

€

1 000,00

€

0,00

€

1 500,00

€

5 000,00

€

19 500,00 -

0,00

€

5 000,00

0,00

€

1 500,00

€

52 000,00

0,00

€

500,00

€

7 500,00

€

€ €

27 000,00

€ 1 159 000,00

Comedy /drag The travelling Show heart €

€

2 000,00

Total: €

68 300,00

€

35 500,00

€

249 000,00

€

7 750,00

€

2 500,00

€

1 500,00

€

500,00

€

1 000,00

€

450,00

€

3 000,00

€

12 650,00

€

5 000,00

€

500,00

€

5 000,00

€

51 500,00

€

1 500,00

2 000,00

€

€ 35 000,00

€

500,00

€

4 000,00

€

25 000,00

€

€ 36 000,00

Various parties €

1 000,00

€

€ 8 000,00

Pride in the Fjords

€

7 000,00

€

2 000,00

€

€ 68 000,00

Closing Ceremony

Parade

€

5 000,00

€

€ 25 000,00

0,00

€

1 500,00

€

1 000,00 -

€ €

€ 10 050,00

€

1 000,00

2 500,00

€

37 000,00

€ 10 000,00

€

250 050,00

€

600,00

€

2 100,00

€

11 500,00

15 000,00

€

0,00

€

4 000,00

€

5 000,00

€

1 500,00

€

3 000,00

€

3 000,00

€

39 250,00

0,00

€

1 500,00

€

2 500,00

€

1 000,00

€

800,00

€

1 500,00

€

98 300,00

0,00

€

1 000,00

€

2 500,00

€

2 000,00

€

10 500,00

0,00

€

1 000,00

€

1 500,00

€

500,00

€

28 000,00

0,00

€

200,00

€

500,00

€

300,00

€

6 600,00

€

6 000,00

€

€ 245 000,00

0,00

1 000,00

€ 23 700,00

€ 218 450,00

€ 71 450,00

€ 2 800,00

€ 16 550,00

€ 22 300,00

€ 30 100,00

€ 1 159 000,00

United € by pride -

United by pride

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by People sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by people

Application board and contact information If Bergen is awarded the hosting licence for Europride 2020 a board will be appointed shortly after the decision is made at the annual general meeting. In January 2018, a European committee will also be appointed to oversee and contribute to the planning of the event. Europride 2020 will be hosted by Bergen Pride. A temporary board for EuroPride 2020 is already appointed and is responsible for this application: Board: Joakim Aadland President of Bergen Pride 2013 Ingrid Linde Bakken Communication advisor Bergen Pride Ida Bergli Skovborg Board member FRI Bergen and Hordaland Kristin Antonsen Event producer Bergen Pride Åshild Danielsen Kvamme Pride House manager and head of political program

Other key people for the application of EuroPride 2020 in Bergen Arve Lindgren Sølve Sætre Marte Mjøs Persen Erlend Horn Julie Andersland Kristian Kaarød Kjersti Halvorsen

Convention manager at Visit Bergen Special advisor for the city council in Bergen Mayor of Bergen City Commissioner of Social and inclusion City commissioner of culture Chair FRI – Bergen and Hordaland Managing director, Bergen City Event

We herby submit the application for hosting EuroPride 2020 in Bergen

Address:

Joakim Aadland President Bergen Pride

United by people

FRI Bergen and Hordaland Strandgaten 6 5013 Bergen NORWAY Contact information: Mail: Bergen@foreningenfri.no Phone: + 47 40456500

Timeline

2017 July

22th of September

October

Sending the application to EPOA Presenting Bergen Pride’s bid for EuroPride 2020 at the EPOA AGM Appoint board of EuroPride 2020

2018 January – December

Plan events for EuroPride 2020, establish organization, establish and continue contact with collaborating organizations/partners

January

Appoint European Board for EuroPride 2020

September

Participate and present plans and progress at EPOA AGM in Vienna

2019 June

Place “United by Love” – The travelling heart” in Vienna

Summer

Promote EuroPride 2020 at EuroPride 2019 in Vienna and other prides in Europe

September

Host EPOA AGM

2020 January - August

August

Promote EuroPride 2020 in Norway and Europe and finalize preparations for the event Host EuroPride 2020

United by people

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by community sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by community

United by community Bergen city has been implementing an action plan for including LGBTIQ-people since 2008, and was the first Scandinavian city to be a member of the international network Rainbow Cities Network, where municipal employees exchange knowledge about how you create a better city for LGBTIQ-people. In cooperation with City of Bergen, FRI and other organisations has worked on increasing the public’s competence on LGBTIQ-subjects. FRI does, among other things, work with educating employees within Bergen’s health sector, visit private companies to do lectures on diversity in the workplace, and in collaboration with Queer Youth, the organisation educates thousands of pupils in and around Bergen yearly. At the end of the 00’s a lot of the people who were involved in the queer community in Bergen moved to Oslo for a larger LGBTIQ-community. Since then, several organisations and individuals devoted to the cause has work on rebuilding the community, by creating a social scene involving a larger and broader group of people than earlier. This work has proven beneficial and the city’s queer environment is flourishing. There is now a variety of different activity groups for LGBTIQ-people in Bergen. As almost every other European city, Bergen has also been affected by the refugee crisis. Receiving a large number of refugees and immigrants has been challenging for a small city such as Bergen, and we have met new challenges in our work with integration, especially for LGBTIQ refugees. But FRI, The City of Bergen, and other organizations has worked together to initiate measures to ensure LGBTIQ refugees a safe and new beginning in Bergen. This work, combined with the courage of some of the LGBTIQ refugees in Bergen, has had a positive effect on the city, and our community has grown even bigger and more diverse than ever. This work has just begun, and hosting EuroPride 2020 in Bergen will also contribute to this work and send positive signals to the public of Bergen, as well as showing that you don’t have to live in the country’s capital city to be able to live openly as a LGBTIQ-person.

Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

United by community

Rainbow Families Hordaland

Rainbow Families Hordaland is a sub-group of FRI Bergen and Hordaland, and they organize events and activities for families who define themselves as a rainbow family

Late Bloomer Ladies Bergen

Late Bloomer Ladies is a sub-group of FRI Bergen and Hordaland, and is a group for women of all genders who has come out late in their life.

Sapfonia

Sapfonia is the only choir in Norway for women who likes women, and is also a sub-group of FRI Bergen and Hordaland.

Open Church Group Bergen

Open Church Group is a sub-group of FRI Bergen and Hordaland for religious IQ-people.

FRI´s Outdoor group

FRI´s outdoor group is a sub-group of FRI for LGBTIQ-people who like sports, to be outdoor and hiking, they organize everything from hiking trips to CrossFit training.

FRI´s activist group

FRI´s Activist group is a sub-group of FRI Bergen and Hordaland, and is a group of people who organize demonstrations, international solidarity campaigns and such.

Queer Students,

Queer Student is an organization for and by queer students in Bergen. They organize many activities and event throughout the year.

United by community

Queer Youth Hordaland

Queer Youth Hordaland is an organization for all queer youth under the age of 30. They work both political, and organize free activities and events for their members.

Queer World West

Queer World West is the local branch of Queer World, and they are a multi-cultural and ethnic network for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, trans, and intersex people.

Gay and Lesbian Health Norway

Gay and Lesbian Health Norway works to promote health and disease prevention for the sexual minorities of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals, as well as other women and men who have sex with people of the same gender

Queer Archive

Queer Archive is The National Archives and Documentation Center for Queer History. It is funded by the government, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s located in Bergen

HOMO HiB

A student and teacher organization for LGBTIQ-people at the University College in Bergen.

Amnesty International Region West

The local branch of Amnesty International Norway. Also one of our collaborating partners of Bergen Pride.

Rafto Foundation

The Rafto Foundation for Human Rights is a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to the global promotion of human rights. Reidar Engesbak / BLIKK

United by community

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by dancing sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by dancing

United by dancing Nightlife

The nightlife in the city reflects the liberal atmosphere of the city itself and its inhabitants. All pubs, clubs and restaurants are open for everyone, but some are especially gay friendly. There is one official gay bar, called Fincken, and there are also some pop up-events such as Ladies Nights. Popular LGBT-friendly places:

Fincken

The official gay bar in Bergen is called Fincken. The bar celebrates its 25th birthday this year, which makes it Bergenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first and longest living gay bar of all time. It is placed right in the center of Bergen, in NygĂĽrdsgaten, and at Fincken everyone is welcome: any attire, any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Fincken offers a wide range of cultural and nocturnal activities for any age and preference. Fincken consists of a pub area where you can chill and socialize, as well as a club area in the second floor. 78

United by dancing

Thomas Hill, Ben Andreas Harding/Gaysir.no

Café Opera

Café Opera is a gay-friendly café/nightclub which is located close to the town square, Torgallmenningen. Café Opera is a culture café, and serves as a meeting place for everyone, regardless of color, shape, gender, interest, clothes or religion. Café Opera seeks to be a place for everyone, and emphasizes being a place that safeguards and cultivates its own diversity. Café Opera consist of two floors, and is open from 10 AM to 3 AM.

BarBarista

The colorful café/bar BarBarista is a gay-friendly place with homely atmosphere. The bar has among other things been the venue for several of the ladies’ nights hosted by FRI Bergen and Hordaland.

PINGVINEN PINGVINEN is an intimate pub, bar, restaurant and nightclub in the heart of Bergen, featuring traditional Norwegian food. The friendly people and relaxed atmosphere attracts visitors and locals alike, and the bar is open from 11AM to 3AM.

Landmark

Landmark is Bergen Kunsthall´s (the largest art venue in Bergen) café, bar, concert venue, nightclub, and project space hosting an intensive and eclectic programme. From intimate concerts with legendary artists to crowded parties with local DJs and musicians, and from lectures and debates with leading artists, curators and theoreticians to screenings and performances. Landmark is a gay-friendly venue and has several times hosted the main party during Bergen Pride.

Ladies nights and FemmeFest

FRI Bergen and Hordaland organizes several ladies’ nights throughout the year at different venues, open for women of all genders. There is also a concept called FemmeFest in the city, that hosts pop-up events for ladies with different activities

United by dancing

United by pride

love diversity politics people freedom friends family sexuality United by Bergen sorrow happiness moments progression culture strength vision culture art music pride United by Bergen

GENERAL INFORMATION – The Destination Bergen Bergen - the Convention City

In Bergen, we know how to arrange a convention. We started as far back as 1163 with the coronation of Magnus Erlingsson, the first in Scandinavia, followed by a national assembly. Since then, facilities have been improved regularly and today the hotels and conference venues in Bergen are of the highest international standards. Bergen is ideal for events for up to 2100 participants.

Bergen – World Heritage City

Beautiful, rich in traditions and history, charming, lively - all these adjectives describe Bergen - and yet there is more to Bergen than this. Bergen is Norway’s second largest city, with the facilities of a large city, and the charm and atmosphere of a small city, with its wooden houses and narrow cobbled streets. Bryggen is the old trading wharf that still looks the same as it did when the town was in its infancy. Bryggen is the face of Bergen. But more than that - Bryggen is a port of our collective cultural heritage and has its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Therefore Bergen too is classified a World Heritage City.

Bergen – European City of Culture

As a European City of Culture and World Heritage City, Bergen offers worldclass experiences and culture. Being the Gateway to the Fjords of Norway, the Bergen region has the ideal combination of nature, culture and interesting urban attractions – all year round. Bergen has a large selection of music venues and beautiful theatre’s well worth a visit. There are many good reasons why Bergen was designated European City of Culture in 2000. The city has fostered several famous sons who have achieved worldwide fame and put their home town on the map. Edvard Grieg, Ole Bull and Harald Sæverud all became famous, each in his own way. As a City of Culture, Bergen can now also boast an innovative and trendy music and design scene. Bands have emerged on Bergen’s music scenes that have captured the imagination of the whole of Europe: Ylvis, Kings of Convenience, Röyksopp, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Kurt Nilsen and Sondre Lerche, to mention just a few.

United by Bergen

The city’s musical traditions also include Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, which was started as early as 1765 and is Europe’s oldest orchestra of its kind. Norway’s first permanent theatre, later called Den Nationale Scene, was founded in Bergen in 1850 by the famous composer and violinist Ole Bull. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson was one of Norway’s and Europe’s most important writers in the second half of the 1800s and the first director at the theatre. Together with 60 other festivals and big concerts, the highly-reputed Bergen International Festival, held every year in May and June, means that the Bergen region has a natural place on the world’s musical map.

Bergen, Music City – Always a concert to suit your taste:

The Edvard Grieg Museum at Troldhaugen, the home of this world famous composer, is a well-known venue for visitors from far and wide. The city also has a number of concert venues, ranging from small clubs to outdoor arenas and the region’s flagship concert hall, the Grieg Hall, home to Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2015, and in the autumn British conductor Ed Gardner will take over as the orchestra’s chief conductor. In Os, near Bergen, Oseana cultural center combines art, culture, food, architecture and nature in a unique way. The large facade of glass provides a magnificent view of the fjord.

United by Bergen

Bergen Reiselivslag / Robin Strand â&#x20AC;&#x201C; visitBergen.com

United by pride

Bergen - a City of Adventures Stroll through the shops or in the picturesque narrow alleyways, through museums and art galleries, along Bryggen and through the Fish Market. Take the funicular railway up to Mount Fløyen, and after eight minutes you will find Bergen spread out at your feet, nestling between the mountains and the fjords. Bergen has soul, atmosphere and its own quite special milieu, which is hard to find anywhere else. Bergen is so delightfully compact that you will quickly find your way around, thanks to the varied landscape that makes Western Norway’s capital so charmingly unpredictable. There are many reasons why Bergen has been selected as one of Europe’s cultural cities for the year 2000. It is merely a statement of fact when we say that Bergen has one of the world’s oldest symphony orchestras. Norway’s first national theatre is also to be found in Bergen, and this is where the author Henrik Ibsen completed his theatrical traineeship. Bergen hosts Norway’s most extensive cultural event, the International Music Festival and has fostered such famous personalities as the author Ludvig Holberg, the painter J. C. Dahl, the violinist Ole Bull and the composer Edvard Grieg. Art collections include exhibitions of the works of both Edvard Munch and Pablo Picasso. A private music recital in the home of Edvard Grieg at Troldhaugen will give an added dimension to your stay. Bergen’s ceremonial hall is Håkonshallen, Bergen’s showroom is Grieghallen, and the city’s pride and joy is the sailing vessel “Statsraad Lehmkuhl”. Bergen is the city of wooden architecture, the “Buekorps” or local Boy’s Brigade, and of jewellery design. So you see, we are really not boasting when we call Bergen the City of Culture.

Bergen - the Gateway to the Fjords Bergen is surrounded by one of the world’s greatest tourist attractions, the Norwegian fjords. The city is the gateway to these natural masterpieces, which continue to amaze the Norwegian people, let alone our international visitors. The Norwegian fjords have now been included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The fjords are the geological result of the last ice age, gouged out by mighty glaciers carving their way from the central mountain ranges to the sea. The largest and perhaps most famous are Sognefjorden and Hardangerfjorden with their numerous tributaries. However, there are many more, all with their own personality and fascination. Thus, Bergen is a natural starting point for exploring this exciting landscape. There are numerous ways to visit the fjords by using regular tours or, alternatively, a very special programme can be created and specifically tailored to suit your needs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BncjS3Rhetg7

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FACTS ABOUT BERGEN 280.000 inhabitants 30. 000 students 40 hotels / 4.500 rooms / 10.000 beds 41 international flights/main hubs More than 1 000 conferences and meetings /more than 50 delegates a year

BERGEN – EASY TO GET TO - Accessible from Europe Communications by road, rail, sea and air between Bergen and the Continent, as well as with the rest of Norway, are excellent. The many direct routes make the city easily accessible with a minimum of travelling time. There are regular direct flights from major international hubs such as Copenhagen and London, and thus travellers from distant cities need only spend time in one transit lounge. Bergen Airport is situated about 11 miles south of the city centre and is one of Europe’s most modern and passenger friendly airports. At Bergen Airport Flesland, you will find most of the international car rental companies.

International & domestic flights: flysas.com ∙ norwegian.com ∙ wideroe.no ∙ klm.com ∙ icelandair.com ∙ flyNordic.com ∙ jet2.com ∙ sterling.dk ∙ Lufthansa.com ∙ cimberair.dk ∙ airBaltic.com ∙ coastair.no ∙ finnair. no (Summer route) ∙easternairways.com International ferries: fjordline.com ∙ Norwegian Coastal Voyager / Bergen Railway Line: hurtigruten.no ∙ nsb.no 86

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Bergen Reiselivslag / Jan M. Lillebø - visitBergen.com

Direct flights to bergen as per 2017 Direct flights (International) to Bergen: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aberdeen (Widerøe , SAS, Eastern Airways summer) Alicante (Norwegian, SAS) Amsterdam (KLM) Barcelona (SAS, Norwegian, Vueling) Berlin (Norwegian) Billund (Sun Air/British Airways) Copenhagen (SAS, Norwegian) Dubrovnik SAS,(Norwegian) seasonal Edinburgh (Norwegian) - seasonal Frankfurt (Lufthansa) Fukuoka (JTB - only summer) Gdansk (Wizzair) Düsseldorf / Gran Canaria (Norwegian) Hamburg (Lufthansa) - seasonal Helsinki (Finnair ) - seasonal Hiroshima (JTB seasonal) Lerwick (Landanair ) - seasonal London (Norwegian, British Airways, Easyjet) Malaga (Norwegian) Manchester (SAS) Minneapolis (Icelandair - via Reykjavik, only summer) Murcia (Norwegian) New York (Icelandair - via Reykjavik, only summer) Nice (Norwegian, only summer)) Orlando (Icelandair - via Reykjavik, only summer) Paris (Norwegian) Prague (Norwegian) Reykjavik (Icelandair, Norwegian) Rome (Norwegian) Salzburg (Norwegian - only winter) Sapporo (JTB seasonal) Sendai (JTB seasonal) Split (Norwegian ) Stockholm (SAS, Norwegian, Skyways) Warszawa (Norwegian)

Direct flights (Domestic) to Bergen: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bodø (SAS, Widerøe) Brønnsøsund ( Florø (DAT) Førde (Widerøe) Harstad/Narvik Haugesund (SAS) Kristiansand (SAS) Kristiansund (SAS) Molde (SAS) Notodden (Bergen Air Transport ) Oslo (Norwegian, SAS) Rygge (Norwegian) Sandefjord Torp (SAS, Widerøe) Sogndal (Widerøe) Skien ( Stavanger (SAS, Norwegian) Tromsø (SAS, Widerøe) Trondheim (Norwegian, SAS) Ørsta/Volda (Widerøe) Ålesund (SAS)

Read more about direct flights to Bergen: www.visitBergen.com/transport

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MAJOR HUBS Airport hubs

Airline company with daily flights to Bergen

Copenhagen