MAIN ATTRACTION: Sissel Kyrkjebø

Sissel Is Coming to the Festival of Lights

Sissel Kyrkjebø will be the main attraction when Bergens Tidende's Festival of Lights is combined this year with the European Cultural Capital 2000's closing ceremony.

By BODIL GARVIK, translated from Norwegian by Robert A Jones.

Bergen's number one songbird will be the main attraction on 2. December, when Bergens Tidende invites the cities populace to the tenth annual Festival of Lights around Smålongeren.

This year the Festival of Lights is combined with the European Cultural Capital celebrations in Bergen this year.

Sissel's appearance is a part of the stage show which is the Cultural Capital's contribution to the festival.

"Sissel will, among other things, lead the crowds in Christmas songs," said Sølvi Rolland, who was hired by Stageway as project leader for the stage show.

Sissel is releasing an album on 20. november, and has dropped her annual Christmas concerts this year, which she had been involved in for the past decade. The Festival of Lights is then the only opportunity to hear Sissel sing in Christmas this year.

On stage, Sissel will be accompanied by, among others, Lærerhøyskolen's children's choir.

"Although there will be a lot extra this year, it is important that we don't rock the traditions Bergens Tidende has established with the Festival of Lights," points out Sølvi Rolland.

The Festival of Lights' traditional ingredients of lighting the Christmas tree and fireworks are therefore included in this year's program.