The Bjørnson Festival, established in 1992, is Norway's first literary festival and one of the country's largest in its field. The festival is named after Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Norway's first Nobel Prize winner in literature. Its main goal is to promote interest in literature and writing, and has developed an international profile with ambitions to offer a high-quality event.
The festival is held for a fixed week in September and offers literary events throughout the year. The program includes author visits, book baths and socially relevant lectures, which create encounters between literature and the audience. The Bjørnson Festival is certified with the accessibility label, which emphasizes the festival's focus on making the events accessible to everyone. The autumn events contribute to a varied program that appeals to a wide audience.