Welcome to a weekend dedicated to Hans Dahl, National Romanticism, and the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Balestrand! In connection with the opening of the exhibition “Hans Dahl – With a Heart for Balestrand”, the Norwegian Tourism Museum and our partners invite you to a diverse cultural programme during the Whitsun weekend (22–25 May 2026). (Unfortunate, much of the programme is in norwegian)
Over these days, you are welcome to join guided tours, panel discussions, lectures, musical performances and historical experiences. We also offer a rare opportunity to step inside some of Balestrand’s iconic dragon‑style villas.
Throughout the weekend, you can meet experts, authors, art historians and local cultural communicators who, in different ways, illuminate the life and work of Hans Dahl – and how his art helped place Balestrand on the tourism map. The programme offers both scholarly insight and rich cultural experiences, accompanied by local food and drink traditions and musical moments in atmospheric historical surroundings.
All events are open to the public, and we warmly welcome residents, invited guests, holiday visitors and anyone interested in art and culture to an inspiring Whitsun weekend by the Sognefjord.
Programme:
Saturday 23 May
11–13 | Norwegian Tourism Museum
11:00 – Exhibition opening:
“Hans Dahl – With a Heart for Balestrand”
Café Vindreken.
Sverre Følstad opens the exhibition.
Price: NOK 140 (tickets at the door)
11:30 – Panel discussion
On National Romanticism with
Sverre Følstad,
Tommy Sørbø,
Frode Skag Storheim.
Moderator: Kunstbygda Balestrand AS v/ Silje and Helle.
12:30 – Guided tour and film screening
“The Photographer and the Emperor” (Ingrid Ese)
15:00 | Villa Strandheim – Book sale and music
Reception with book sale and musical performances.
Frode Skag Storheim leads us into the world of Hans Dahl.
Price: NOK 100 (Vipps at the entrance)
19:00 | Kviknes Hotel – Historic dinner
A historic dinner with storytelling and musical contributions.
The menu is inspired by Dahl’s 70th birthday celebration.
Art-music hosts: Frode Skag Storheim and Berit Hella Lindberg.
Reservation: booking@kviknes.no
Sunday 24 May (Pentecost Day 1)
10:00 | St. Olav’s Church – Church service
Anglican service with musical contribution.
Free entry.
11–16 | Norwegian Tourism Museum
Guided tours of the Dahl exhibition at 12:00 and 13:00
Film screenings in the auditorium:
“The Photographer and the Emperor” at 12:30 and 13:30
12:00 | Høyvikhuset – Lecture and lunch
Lecture on Eli and Ivar Høyvik in the carving workshop.
Soup lunch served in the garden (or in the basement in case of rain).
12–14 | Balestrand Library – Children’s art activity
“Kunstspiren” (The Art Sprout) for children aged 4–15.
We create Dahl-inspired art!
Free, no registration required.
14–18 | Visit the dragon‑style villas
Open house at Villa Heimdalstrand and Høyvikhuset.
Open garden with coffee at Villa Nordlandsheim.
Vipps at the entrance.
17:00 | Norwegian Tourism Museum – Lecture
Lecture on Hans Dahl by Frode Skag Storheim.
Price: NOK 200 (tickets at the door)
Monday 25 May (Pentecost Day 2)
11–16 | Norwegian Tourism Museum
The exhibition “Hans Dahl – With a Heart for Balestrand” is open.
12:30 | Ciderhuset – Cider tasting and lunch
Booking: www.ciderhuset.no
Programme partners:
Norwegian Tourism Museum, Fotefar Cultural Tours, Kviknes Hotel, Kunstbygda Balestrand AS, Ciderhuset, Frode Skag Storheim