Poetry Festival!
Thursday 19 November, 7:00–9:00 pm
Bergen, Traditional Verse Forms and the Poetry Debate
What is happening in Bergen's poetry scene at the moment?
Three of this year's most notable debut poets – Fredrik Parelius, Mads Tjønum Alfsen and Matilde Øverland – come together at the House of Literature for the opening evening of this year's Obstfelder Days. They will each read from their recently published poetry collections, before the evening concludes with a discussion about poetry, Bergen and this year's highly unusual poetry debate.
Fredrik Parelius made his debut this year with Salt/Land, published by Gyldendal, and sparked a lively debate about something as unconventional – or perhaps traditional – as fixed poetic forms. The discussion spread from literary circles all the way to the national radio programme Dagsnytt 18: Should poetry free itself from the modernist tradition of free verse?
Parelius will be joined by Mads Tjønum Alfsen, whose monumental collection Svartediket has attracted attention, and Matilde Øverland, who made her debut with Hodegjerde. Three debut poets, three very different poetry collections – all connected to the same vibrant literary community in Bergen.
The evening begins with readings by Parelius, Alfsen and Øverland. They will then come together for a panel discussion chaired by Birk Florian Fischer.
Featured poets and collections:
- Fredrik Parelius – Salt/Land, Gyldendal
- Mads Tjønum Alfsen – Svartediket
- Matilde Øverland – Hodegjerde
