Issue 24th April 2025 Stavanger 900th Anniversary

When Stavanger celebrated its 900th anniversary, residents were invited to reimagine and utilise the city's urban spaces in innovative ways. The anniversary created an opportunity for sharing ideas, sparking debate, and fostering engagement, while also featuring a range of community-building projects and initiatives. The aim was for the anniversary to leave a lasting legacy that would endure well beyond 2025. 

Traditionally, Stavanger is believed to have gained city status in 1125, marked by the completion of Stavanger Cathedral and the establishment of the diocese. Stavanger 2025 commemorated multiple milestones: the 900th anniversaries of the city, the cathedral, and the diocese, as well as the 200th anniversary of the beginning of emigration to North America, marked by the journey of the Restoration from Stavanger to New York in 1825. 
The main organiser of Stavanger 2025 was Stavanger Municipality, with the Church of Norway and the University of Stavanger as co-organisers. Museum Stavanger, Stavanger Sentrum, Stavanger Tourist Association, and Sølvberget were also key partners. The anniversary programme itself was organised around three main themes. The first was entitled Opphav (Origin). This theme focused on highlighting the city’s history and cultural heritage. Samspill (Interaction) was the second main theme, focusing on the relationship between people and nature, as well as our engagement with the world today. The third and final main theme was  Omslag (Change). This theme encouraged looking forward and asking how we should approach and shape the future.

Stavanger is an innovative knowledge hub and a city rich in culture, and the anniversary celebrations aimed to highlight and reinforce this identity. The anniversary inspired the transformation of urban spaces and city centre streets through a series of events and significant projects. Collaboration between various institutions in the fields of art and culture was promoted, creating inclusive spaces for the community to gather in. Stavanger boasts a variety of nature and culinary experiences, which became integral to the anniversary celebrations.