Bergen Cultural Festival

Last week I had the pleasure and the honour to attend the opening of the Bergen Cultural Festival at the invitation of Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja. I did so together with many diplomats, colleagues and members of the Oslo Diplomatic Corps.

 I am sure many of you have seen on the spot or on the TV screens at least part of the event and of the performances. The Festival is a high quality event, demonstrating once again the important place Norway occupies on the European cultural scene.

What made the day spent in Bergen even more exceptional was the high temperature and the radiant sunshine. The city is always beautiful, be it rain or snowfall. But I've never seen it so splendid, feeling its spirit so close to me as I did in the afternoon, walking around, looking at people enjoying the beauty of the moment and of the place. I confess I even could not resist just to linger on a terrace, taking a beer and just observing the scene - before the evening came and also the time for me to take my flight back to Oslo.