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Festival—Norwegian Style

July 30, 2014May 28, 2016 By Denise

One of the main events of our visit to Norway was Månefestival (Moon Festival): three days of music featuring all female lead performers, including Patti Smith, Beth Hart, and Suzanne Vega. The festival was held in the old quarter of Fredrikstad, on an “island” in the Glomma river. Fredrikstad was a fortified city in the middle ages, with an elaborate, star-shaped, double moat, and mobile cannons. The concert venue was a large, enclosed courtyard that—I’m guessing—may have formerly been a military parade ground and muster area. In the middle of this was a bar with a terrace on the roof. Our group commandeered a picnic table up there, under the shade of a large tree, and we enjoyed all the music and plenty of beer, wine, and cider for the entire weekend.

Karel and I arrived early to secure a table.
Karel and I arrived early to secure a table.

Karel, Eirik, Gry, and Denise waiting for the festival to start.
Karel, Eirik, Gry, and Denise waiting for the festival to start.

The lawn behind the bar was a nice place to chill, where you could still hear the music, loud and clear.
The lawn behind the bar was a nice place to chill, where you could still hear the music, loud and clear.

The weather was very hot—extraordinarily so for Norway. We had prepared in advance by purchasing spray bottles and cotton scarves, which we soaked in water. Actually, that’s a funny little aside. At the shop where we bought the spray bottles, they were doing a brisk business selling a variety of electric fans. The clerk was at his wits’ end trying to answer customers’ questions about these alien devices. He commented to Gry, “It’s an emergency!” Between the bandanas and the spritzers, plus all the beer, wine, and cider, we managed to keep from overheating. The wine bottles were served in buckets of ice. As soon as the bottle was empty, the women would stuff their bras with ice cubes. The spray bottles made us popular; the Norwegians thought it was an ingenious idea.

Keeping cool at Månefestival.
Keeping cool at Månefestival.

Let me fix that sunblock for you.
Let me fix that sunblock for you.

Frank sends his best!
Frank sends his best!

Besides the headliners there was an assortment of regional bands. Two of my favorites were Marie Boine, who incorporates traditional Samí music into her tribal rock, and Katzenjammer, a quartet of very talented and energetic musicians who put on an excellent show. I really recommend checking out a recording of a live show on YouTube, such as…

Katzenjammer put on a great show - they're talented musicians.
Katzenjammer put on a great show – they’re talented musicians.

We hung out with our friend Allan at his craft booth for a while.
We hung out with our friend Allan at his craft booth for a while.

When I grew weary of the heat and dust and crowds and noise, I wandered off into the streets of the old town. There was an arts and crafts market going on, and of course the souvenir shops, but usually I’d find a quiet, shady spot in the park surrounding the town, where I could relax. Karel would find me for lunch at a café. I love that the old buildings in Europe are still in use as shops, restaurants, and apartments. At the Café Magenta in Fredrikstad, I spotted a couple of bright orange coveralls on the wall, clashing a bit with the Medieval Scandinavian/Euro-modern décor. What the???? Then I spied the flattened and neatly coiled hose and ladder on the ceiling above. I verified later with Gry that Norwegians go well beyond Americans when it comes to fire drills. Besides learning how to evacuate in an orderly fashion, the restaurant staff is expected to don fire-fighting gear and man the hoses.

In Norway, the restaurant staff is trained in firefighting.
In Norway, the restaurant staff is trained in firefighting.

This entry was posted in Music, Vacation 2014: Europe
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2 thoughts on “Festival—Norwegian Style”

  • Rosa Gaona August 27, 2014 at 7:04 pm Reply

    I’m jealous you got to hear Beth Hart live! I’m a big fan! The festival looks fabulous….I wish I was there!

  • Gry CHristel Cindahl September 8, 2014 at 1:19 pm Reply

    I agree and have to say, this is truly a great festival experience! We will be ther NeXT year and for many years to come, so everyone who wants to check it out, just join us! And to make sure, Denise, Peggy and Karel; I will do festivals With you guys any time and any Place! Gry 🙂

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