Féile Oslo
A summer school of Irish music and dance in Oslo, Norway
Féile Oslo is a summer school of Irish music and dance in Oslo, Norway, and as far as the organisers know, it is the first of its kind.
Irish music and dance
One of the founders, Cecilie Stensrud, says “The summer school’s purpose is to promote Irish music and dance in Norway, and to offer people more opportunities to learn. We want the summer school to be an important platform for musical and social exchanges for people from all over the country – and also from abroad. Through organising open sessions and concerts, we also want to be an arena where all those interested – whether they are performers or not, Irish or not – can join in the celebration and enjoyment of Irish music and dance.”
Irish culture in Norway
Stensrud is Norwegian herself, and was drawn to Irish folk music from a young age, building up a love of traditional Irish music and dance over the years. She says no one was surprised when she married an Irishman, Brendan Monaghan, with whom she founded Féile Oslo, amongst other Irish-focused organisations that help to celebrate Irish culture in Norway.
Irish community in Norway
Stensrud’s best guess as to why Irish people move to Norway, and why Norwegians are drawn to the Irish, is a bit of “irresistible charm” on both sides. She says, “The Irish community in Norway is a varied group of people. Some have been here for decades and have Norwegian grandchildren, while others are just settling in. It seems to me that the number one reason for people to move to Norway is love, the second is work. Of course, I have to admit that I have no statistics to support this claim, but I suppose they are fairly universal reasons for moving. In numbers, it is not the largest group, but it is a very active and productive community that is making itself noticed in Norway.”
Emigrant Support Programme funding
Funding provided by the Emigrant Support Programme has given Féile Oslo financial security for two years in a row. Stensrud explains “For two years in a row, funding from ESP has covered a large part of our venue and marketing costs. It means that we can spend the rest of our income on running the summer school in a serious and professional way (with invaluable help from our volunteers). It allows us to book high quality teachers, to make the name ‘Féile Oslo’ known, and lay the foundations of a solid organisation.” Finally, Stensrud adds that an important aspect of the ESP funding, as well as support from the Irish Embassy in Norway, is knowing that your work is being seen and appreciated. She says “Personally, it is reassuring to know that people believe in what we do.”