What Is Arendalsuka? Norway's Biggest Political Event Explained

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Arendalsuka is Norway's biggest political gathering, and almost no one outside the country has heard of it. Every August the town of Arendal, on the south coast, fills up with politicians, ministers, journalists, and hundreds of interest organisations for a week of debate, and most of it is open to anyone who walks in.

In this video we explain what Arendalsuka actually is, why it matters, and what it reveals about Norway. You can walk up to members of parliament and government ministers at party booths in the street. There are over 2000 panels and presentations across the town, most of them free to attend. And the whole thing runs on a very Nordic idea: that no one, however powerful, gets to act like they are above everyone else.

I also look at the parts most people don't notice, the security you can't see, the shadow of 22 July, and why the King is nowhere to be found. And I answer the practical question: is Arendalsuka worth visiting if you're a tourist in Norway? (Short answer: probably not, and I explain why.)

Similar events exist elsewhere in the Nordics and Baltics, Almedalen in Sweden, Folkemødet in Denmark, SuomiAreena in Finland, but the list of countries where something like this is possible is surprisingly short.

Arendalsuka usually takes place in the second week of August.

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