WEXFO YOUTH VOICES

About Lillehammer

The WEXFO annual conference takes place in Lillehammer, Norway, in May/June. Lillehammer is a UNESCO City of Literature, an ICORN city of refuge for artists at risk, and is the host of the biggest literature festival in Scandinavia. Both the city, the region (Innlandet) and Norway as a country are committed to supporting freedom of expression around the world.

The small, idyllic city of Lillehammer, only 2 hours by train from Oslo, offers a warm and friendly atmosphere surrounded by peace and beautiful nature. Lillehammer is one of the most significant cultural cities in Norway, in a region with a rich literary tradition.

Photo: Geir Olsen/FjellNorge

Lillehammer UNESCO city of literature

Lillehammer was granted UNESCO City of Literature status as a part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2017. It is one of 39 cities of literature, and the only one of its kind in Scandinavia.

The Norwegian Festival of Literature

The Norwegian Festival of Literature, the biggest literary festival in the Scandinavian region, takes place in Lillehammer every year at the end of May. The 2023 festival will run from May 22nd to May 28th.