Welcome to the city of poets

Henrik Ibsen .
Photo: Visit Grimstad

Grimstad has been the scene of two important contributions to world literature, and both authors are vividly present in the city to this day. One is playwright Henrik Ibsen, and the other is Nobel Prize-winning novelist Knut Hamsun. Several experiences are linked to them, and their life and work in Grimstad. Experience Terje Vigen in a pub, eat Hamsun's Nobel dinner, take a walk in Ibsen's or Hamsun's footsteps and get to know the authors better.

Bok på Ibsen museet .
Photo: Gerd Corrigan

Where Ibsen became Ibsen

Young Henrik Ibsen arrived in Grimstad on board the cargo boat "Lykkens pøre" in the autumn of 1843 or in the new year of 1844. He had been posted as an apprentice pharmacist at the town's pharmacy. When he left Grimstad again 6 years later, in 1850, it was as the author of his first play "Catilina". What was it that shaped Ibsen into who he was, and what was his time like in Grimstad? Get to know Ibsen's Grimstad!

Vandring i Ibsens Grimstad

Dere får se sentrale Ibsen-steder i byen og høre historiene fra Ibsens…

Filmspel™ Henrik

Filmspel™ Henrik er en videreutvikling av sjangeren «historisk…

Ibsens urtehave

Ibsens Urtehave er en av perlene i den vakre parken på Dømmesmoen. Her…

Terje Vigen på pøbb

Apotekergaarden – Norges beste Brew pub (Untappd 2020) – er…

Reading of Terje Vigen during Ibsen and Hamsundagen

Opplesning Terje Vigen, Grimstad .
Photo: Kristine Dreessen Johansen, Grimstad Turistkontor

Hamsun - Farmer and author

Author Knut Hamsun moved to the farm Nørholm with his family in 1918. In 1920 he received the Nobel Prize for Literature for the book "Markens Grøde". This money came in handy in upgrading the farm, which eventually became what was called a model farm. Hamsun published several books during his time in Grimstad. The last one was released after he was convicted of treason after the Second World War, and was called "På gergrodde stier". Here Hamsun describes his wanderings over the moors in Grimstad while he was under house arrest. Hamsun died in 1952 and his urn is placed on Nørholm. Get to know Hamsun's Grimstad!

Sommerutstilling om Knut Hamsun i Storgaten 44, Grimstad

For å kunne kjøpe stedet opptok han lån i Grimstad sparebank som…

Omvisning i Hamsuns Dikterstue på Nørholm

Knut Hamsun flyttet inn på herregården Nørholm utenfor Grimstad i…

Hamsun på egenhånd // Grimstad

Forfatter Knut Hamsun flyttet til gården Nørholm med sin familie i 1918…

Hamsuns fotspor

Knut Hamsun ble hentet hjemme på Nørholm i juni 1945 og satt i husarrest…

Vandring i Hamsuns fotspor over heia

Ta på gode sko og bli med på en vandring over «heia» i Knut…

Southern Norway's Literature Festival; The Ibsen and Hamsunda days

The city of poets offers film, theatre, literary seminars, debates, lectures, concerts, readings, exhibitions, tours and tours. With both Ibsen and Hamsun as cornerstones, it is open to accommodate both paradoxes, contradictions and diversity - both enlightenment and entertainment. The festival is organized in August every year in Grimstad - City of Poets.

Experience the city of poets Grimstad with a guide

Bring family, good friends or good colleagues on a literary experience in Grimstad. In collaboration with Grimstad's museums and other local tourism players, we have an exciting selection of experiences in Ibsen's and Hamsun's city.