Midt-Telemark (Bø)

Midt-Telemark is a small municipality located in southern Norway and is known for its beautiful nature and rich culture.

Even though Midt-Telemark is small with its 10.000 residents, it has a big heart and has always had an inclusive attitude. It was, therefore, no surprise that the municipality's politicians in decided for it become an ICORN City of Refuge in 2011. The municipality is also the host for The University of Sørøst-Norge`s (USN) about 3000 students and welcomes a lot of tourist both in winter and summer, thanks to the hard-working community opening the doors to their institution and providing a variety of events throughout the year. In Midt-Telemark municipality, there is room for everyone.

Some of the big cultural organizers in Midt-Telemark are Gullbring Kulturhus - the municipality’s Cultural House, Midt-Telemark Museum, Akkerhaugen Rocksamfunn and Kroa i Bø. We also have festivals and clubs, such as the literature festival - Bøker i Bø,  Telemarkfestivalen, an international folk music festival, and The Summerland Festival - a festival for choirs, corps and orchestras. Norsjø kammermusikkfest, Bø Countryklubb and Bø Jazzklubb also provide rich cultural activities. And for those who just want to have fun, Midt-Telemark houses the Scandinavia’s largest waterpark, Bø Sommarland.

It is The Culture and Keisure department, located in Gullbring Kulturhus, that is responsible for hosting ICORN residents and for coordinating their activities in close collaboration with the Center for Inclusion and Qualification (SKI), which primarily works with education and integration of newly arrived refugees.

Every year, the municipality collaborates with the culture students at the USN and organises a cultural event around the theme freedom of speech / ICORN/ City of Refuge. The local newspaper also provides a spot for the ICORN resident to regularly publish articles on different topics, if they wish to do so. Apart from these two collaborations, only the guest writer's ambitions are the limit to what we can achieve together. 

Since 2011 Midt-Telemark has hosted more than four ICORN Residents, on whom you can find more information below.