On Tuesday 3 November, Tor Inge Vormedal will give a talk on the 1980s, a period that left a clear mark on business, culture and everyday life in the region.
A decade of growth and new opportunities
The 1980s were characterised by liberalisation, longer opening hours, easier access to credit and the establishment of new shopping centres. Society was changing, and these developments affected both consumer habits and business.
Business in transition
The development of the Kårstø plant and Nordsjøhallen contributed to stable employment and new jobs in Haugalandet. At the same time, several local businesses changed ownership, and the economic structure of the region shifted throughout the decade.
The cultural city emerges
It was during the 1980s that Haugesund cemented its position as both a film festival city and a ‘herring jazz’ city. Cultural life took on an increasingly important role, and new events attracted audiences from across the region.
Technology and youth culture
Computers and mobile phones were still in their infancy, and technology looked very different from today. At the same time, new trends left their mark on youth culture, ranging from breakdancing in the pedestrianised street to debates about skateboarding.
About the speaker
Tor Inge Vormedal is an author and journalist with extensive experience from, among others, Haugesunds Avis, Kapital and TV Haugaland. He has written a comprehensive series of books on the history of Haugaland and shares the region’s development through books, photographs and lectures.
