Hello Kongsberg Church!

Kongsberg Jazzfestival is a festival organized in and by Kongsberg. In this mini-series, we want to promote the venues and show who they are during and outside the festival season. Say hello to Kongsberg Church, we had a chat with Margit Åsarmoen, general manager of the Glogerakademiet.

 

Who is Kongsberg Church?

Kongsberg Church is the largest Baroque church in Norway and has a simple exterior, but a very rich Rococo interior. The chandeliers were produced at Nøstetangen Glasværk in Hokksund in the second half of the 1700s and are among the largest, most beautiful and richly designed chandeliers made of glass to be found in the Nordic region. Towering above the chandeliers is the majestic Gloger organ, which was built by Gottfried Heinrich Gloger. Kongsberg church hosts many activities and the Glogerakadmeiet is the organizer of the concerts throughout the year, as well as the Glogerfest games on the last weekend in January. 

Last year, almost 70 concerts were organized in Kongsberg church for approx. 15 audience members. The church is a magnificent setting for concerts, but at the same time there are of course challenges with holding an event in this historic building. We must take care of the historical heritage and at the same time contribute to the cultural heritage. We do this by working closely together and exchanging experiences. 

 

What is their focus at the moment, do we have anything new to look forward to? 

The concert activity in Kongsberg church focuses on collaborating with the local cultural life - children and young people in particular are in focus. We present a broad and varied program where classical music has priority. Furthermore, we have a great responsibility linked to the queen of all instruments – the Gloger organ. During 2019, a number of organ concerts will be organized with local organists. 

Something else the public can look forward to is everything that happens with restoration in Kongsberg church. The work has been ongoing for several years and will continue for several years to come. The church roof is new and now it is the windows in the church that are getting a much-needed refurbishment. We also work with both fire protection and indoor climate, and have many exciting plans for better facilities for the public. So just follow along!

 

[event id=”14733″]

[event id=”14261″]

 

What is Kongsberg Church's best memory?

There are so many wonderful memories and experiences! We are lucky to host concerts during the Jazz Festival every year. The midnight concert in the church on the last day of jazz has provided many magical moments and is a fantastically fine tradition that we appreciate very much. This year we will be visited by the gospel legends The Blind Boys of Alabama, as well as Amadou & Miriam. 

 

What does Kongsberg Jazz mean to you? 

Kongsberg Jazz Festival is incredibly important to Kongsberg. During these five days, the jazz festival manages to create a city festival and a real folk festival. Not just the musical experiences, but also the atmosphere and not least the marketing of Kongsberg at home and abroad. Kongsberg Jazz Festival puts Kongsberg on the map as a city of culture! 

We are part of the cheerleading team and are very much looking forward to this year's event.

 

What are you most looking forward to experiencing during this year's festival? 

So to speak everything! It will be particularly exciting to hear the commissioned piece by the folk musician Erlend Apneseth. He brings with him a dream team of musicians in Kongsberg church on Jazz Thursday. If we look outside the church, we will highlight the extremely good experiences in the Jazzbox. This is a gem of a concept that works so well. And the atmosphere there just has to be experienced - absolutely magical!

 

Who in Kongsberg town deserves a pat on the back? Why?  

We applaud everyone who starts new things. Be it shops, cafes, experiences etc. Perhaps an extra pat for those who have started "Along the river" - Cathrine Kvitnes and Tassy Thompson. And not least the world's best culture school! 

 

https://www.facebook.com/3600.no/videos/645975482527245/UzpfSTI5MDYwMzIzMDk5NzM1MToyMjQ1NTQ4OTU4ODM2MDky/