The Hemsing Festival is organised annually in Aurdal, a small mountain village in Valdres with 700 inhabitants and proud cultural traditions. Here, Edvard Grieg and Knut Hamsun found inspiration in the beautiful nature, and Frydenlund Skysstasjon became an important meeting place for artists from all over Norway.
The sisters Ragnhild and Eldbjørg Hemsing grew up in the village, and were introduced to classical and folk music at an early age. Today, both are internationally sought-after artists touring nad having worked all over the world. The sisters take great pleasure in communicating the magical power and depth of music to audiences, which inspired them to establish their own international chamber music festival in their home village. Their desire is to transfer their own expertise to the community they grew up in and in doing so, to see how music can characterise a community and create identity and a sense of belonging.
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