Setesdal Valley

Just 50 kilometers north of Kristiansand, in southern Norway, lies the green Setesdal Valley, an area known for its commitment to preserving ancient customs and traditions. The valley's folkloric music and dances have been included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Here traditional music and dances are intertwined with everyday life and are still handed down from generation to generation. The most common instruments are the Hardanger fiddle and the Jew's harp, and the melodies are mainly danceable tunes. Traditional vocal styles include kveding and stevjing: the latter uses a four-verse poetic form often performed by two or more singers, like a question-and-answer dialogue.

At the Setesdal Museum in Rysstad you can learn about the rich cultural traditions of the Setesdal Valley.