About the anniversary
Stavanger is turning 900! In 1125, the completion of Stavanger Cathedral marked the beginning of the city and its diocese. In 2025, we will celebrate Stavanger’s 900-year anniversary with a grand event.
Stavanger 2025 celebrates the 900th anniversaries of the city, the cathedral, and the diocese, as well as the 200th anniversary of the first organized emigration with the voyage of the “Restauration” to New York in 1825.
The main organizer of Stavanger 2025 is Stavanger Municipality, with the Church of Norway and the University of Stavanger as co-organizers. Other partners include Museum Stavanger, Stavanger Sentrum, Stavanger Tourist Association, and Sølvberget. You can read more about Stavanger 2025’s anniversary committee [here].
The 900th anniversary celebration will feature various projects and initiatives aimed at building community and leaving lasting legacies. The program is divided into three main themes:
- Origin, highlighting history and cultural heritage, with the cathedral as a key project.
- Interaction, focusing on the relationship with nature and today’s world, with Pedersgata as a central area.
- Transformation, looking to the future and asking how we will shape it, with Ullandhaug as the focal point.
Why celebrate?
The year 1125 marks the completion of Stavanger Cathedral and the establishment of the diocese, with the bishop’s seat in the cathedral. Stavanger has celebrated previous milestones, such as the 800th anniversary in 1925 and the 850th anniversary in 1975.
An anniversary offers a chance for conversation, debate, and engagement. It invites discussion about what makes a city, and what year truly marks Stavanger’s beginning. These conversations are welcome.
Stavanger 2025 in the cultural plan
Stavanger 2025 is one of three priority areas in the municipality's art and culture sub-plan for 2018-2025 (Kulturplanen). The perspectives and goals outlined in this plan will help shape Stavanger 2025.
Mission and objectives
The celebration aims to connect the people of Stavanger to the city's history, making it relevant through debates and cultural experiences. By doing so, it seeks to strengthen local identity, fostering a sense of belonging, trust, and community. Everyone is invited to actively participate in anniversary events and projects.
The celebration also aims to boost Stavanger's reputation, both nationally and internationally, making it an even more attractive place to live and visit. It will create inclusive spaces for different social groups to come together, in collaboration with various partners.
As a hub of knowledge and culture, Stavanger will highlight its innovative spirit during the anniversary, encouraging collaboration between institutions and the arts and culture scene.
Stavanger is also a leading "green city," committed to sustainable urban development. Stavanger 2025 will contribute to this by enhancing urban spaces and streets, inviting everyone to engage with the city in new ways—whether through events, major projects, or cultural activities. Nature and food experiences, two of Stavanger's key strengths, will also be central to the celebrations.