“The trouble with a lot of classical music is that it’s often felt to be very exclusive. We’re trying to do something different. We want to take classical music to the people.”

We’re speaking to Katrine Lilleland, managing director of the Stavanger Kammermusikkfestival (that’s “chamber music festival” in English). Alongside the artistic directors, Andreas Brantelid and Christian Ihle Hadland, Katrine is determined to make classical music as welcoming as possible for the people of the city.

“We don’t want chamber music to be intimidating or scary,” she says. “This kind of music can be lots of fun—it’s often happy party music!”

That’s one reason why you won’t just hear the festival’s program in concert halls and theatres. Instead, attend the 34th edition of the festival in August, and you’ll catch the joyous sounds of Handel, Dvorak, Bach, and others in bars and galleries across the city.

“This way, the festival’s always been embedded within Stavanger,” Katrine explains. “We’re a big part of the community, and the community has always contributed to and supported the festivals.”

The week-long event has long been recognised as one of the foremost chamber music festivals in Europe—in no small part thanks to the work of Christian and Andreas. And this year, it brings Europe’s best musicians to Stavanger to explore the complex theme of exile.

“Exile can be trauma and challenge,” Katrine says, “but it can also be a stimulating, inspiring experience. At a time when there’s so much pain in the world already, it’s these positive, hopeful aspects that we want to emphasise through music.”