Fifteen years as the driving force behind the Jewish Cultural Festival Trondheim
Rita Abrahamsen has been the founder, festival director and driving force behind the Jewish Cultural Festival Trondheim since its inception in 2010. After fifteen years of leadership, she stepped aside in 2025 and moved into an advisory role. This closes a chapter in the festival's history, but at the same time the legacy of her work is continued in a new form.
Theatre and pedagogy in interaction
Abrahamsen (b. 1953) began her artistic career at Scene 7 in Oslo and trained as a director in the UK before later studying special education. She has had her main work at Trøndelag Teater, with performances such as Den gang nå (1982), Dager blir så lange (1986) and Napoleons død (1988). She has also directed at Det Norske Teatret, Telemark Teater and the Nationaltheatret.
In 1996 she established the theatre group Kjernehuset, and in 2012 she initiated the award-winning project "Young Dramatists" together with Trøndelag Teater. She is also a qualified teacher in Alexander Technique and has taught at NTNU. For her, the combination of art and pedagogy has always been a source of inspiration.
From idea to festival
The inspiration for the festival came after a visit to Krakow in the 1990s.
"When I was in Krakow at the big Jewish cultural festival, I thought: If Krakow can have such a big festival, then Trondheim must be able to have a slightly smaller one. And so it was."
The first festival was organized in 2010 – with modest funds and a lot of volunteer effort. Gradually, the synagogue became the heart of the festival, and the festival grew in both scope and recognition.
Making the culture known
From the very beginning, Abrahamsen wanted to highlight Jewish culture in Norway.
"Jews have lived in Norway for 150 years, and the culture was still little known. Many wanted to live quietly and become Norwegian as quickly as possible. The festival was to help showcase this culture."
She has been keen to show diversity:
"There is not just one Jewish culture. As Jews have lived in different countries, they have been influenced by their host country. As a result, we have many cultures – Ashkenazi, Sephardic, American, Norwegian."
Integration and identity
With his own Jewish background, Abrahamsen has been keen to show how the minority has both been an integrated part of Norwegian society and at the same time preserved its traditions.
"I think Jews hold the world record in immigration – but perhaps also in integration. Everywhere we have been significant contributors to society, while at the same time preserving our traditions."
She often shares memories from her own family:
"It wasn't long before Jewish children were also born with skis on their feet, and May 17th was celebrated with great fanfare. My mother, who was exiled in 1917, always had waffle batter in the fridge – in case anyone came by."
The festival that opens doors
According to Abrahamsen, the festival has played an important role as a bridge builder.
"It is important that small minorities open up and offer themselves, so that members of society can get to know us – with emotions, atmosphere, food, drink and theater. Not least perhaps in the small conversations between program items."
Mayor Kent Ranum expressed it this way during the anniversary in 2025:
"A cultural festival like this is a festival to come and eat good food and meet nice people. But above all, it is a festival to open doors. Openness and inclusion are the recipe for the right way to go. In this respect, the Jewish Cultural Festival is a prime example."
Volunteering and collaboration
The festival has always been based on great volunteer effort, something Abrahamsen has never hidden.
"Running a festival doesn't happen by itself. Without the volunteers, there would be no festival. Period."
She has also highlighted the importance of support from public actors, sponsors and the public. As dance educator Heléne Don Lind has expressed:
"The festival preserved history and enlightened the entire community. It removed prejudices and increased understanding."
International voices
The festival has had guests from all over the world. For Abrahamsen, this has been a confirmation of the festival's role in a larger context. The American clarinetist David Krakauer said it this way when he visited Trondheim in 2025:
"If we take away art and cultural dialogue, we are left with barbarism. Music and culture help us to hold the line between civilization and barbarism."
Transition to a new role
After fifteen years as festival director, Abrahamsen will enter a three-year advisory role in 2025. She will contribute experience, knowledge and historical insight, but without the same responsibility as before. The goal is to ensure a smooth transition to new management, while maintaining continuity.
A legacy to manage
The legacy of Rita Abrahamsen is a festival that has left its mark both in Trondheim and in Norwegian cultural life. She herself has formulated the festival's goals as follows:
"We wanted to give the audience an experience of Jewish culture in all its breadth – both musically, in the lectures, and in the food we served."
Chairman Yngve Brox summed it up as follows:
"Without culture, we have nothing to fight for. The festival has shown us a rich culture that makes the city richer and better for everyone."