The county is divided into five different regions, each with its own unique character, institutions and Sami identity. This is a story about a region where nature – the mountains and fjords – sets the scene, and about why coastal culture is so important to us. Nordland’s population of around 240,000 people is spread across the entire large and long region. The five regions of Helgeland, Bodø/Salten, Lofoten, Vesterålen and Narvik each have their own culture and characteristics.
The cultural travel suitcase
This article is one of several as a follow-up to Bodø 2024 – European Capital of Culture.
Read your favorite book, listen to your favorite artist and experience your favorite art from the north on your journey through our region:
Nordland is part of Sapmi, the Sami cultural area that stretches across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Five Sami languages are spoken within Nordland’s borders. Nordland’s county capital Bodø was the European Capital of Culture in 2024, the first north of the Arctic Circle.
Stockfish tied Nordland closely to Europe
Stockfish; the export of dried cod laid the economic foundation for Norway to become a separate country. It may have started as early as 570 to 800 AD, before the Viking Age actually. The Pope in Rome contributed to a huge market for Norwegian fish. The church decided that meat should not be eaten during Lent. Lent lasted at most a third of the year. This gave us enormous opportunities for Norway in markets such as Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal. Gradually, in the 16th century, the jet trade took over as the most important means of transport south to the markets, via Kjerringøy, Trondheim and Bergen.
This export gave Norway income that was used to finance, among other things, Nidaros Cathedral. And then we have the story of Pietro Querini, the merchant from Venice, who drifted ashore off Røst in 1432. To this day, this export from Nordland is an important trade item, a carrier of culture and connects us closely to Europe and the world’s stockfish lovers.
Experience our living coastal culture
Our Sami Culture
In the far north of Europe, a people with unique craft traditions and a special language live side by side with modern technology. The Sami live in four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, of which about half live in Norway. Just under half of these speak Sami, and the Sami live in almost all parts of Northern Norway. A total of nine different, but closely related Sami languages are spoken in the Sami region.
Nordland is the county in Norway that has the most Sami languages within the county boundaries. In Nordland we traditionally have five Sami languages; Southern, Ume, Pite, Lule and Northern Sami. Nordland County Council has a special responsibility for Lule Sami and Pites Sami as these languages are only represented in Nordland, in addition to Southern Sami which is part of the existing administrative area for Sami languages. You have many opportunities to experience Sami culture in Nordland, either through museums, reindeer herding, traditional accommodation or by exploring tracks in nature, such as at Saltfjell Sami Adventure.
The Taste of Nordland
The taste of Northern Norway is as varied as the region’s geography and culture. Local food traditions have always stood strong here. Exports of stockfish from the north are one of the great social builders in Norway, while long, bright summer nights provide perfect grazing conditions for reindeer, cattle and sheep – which in turn leads to first-class meat and dairy products. Add wild salmon from some of the world’s leading salmon rivers, and the selection of raw materials is world-class. Read more about this in A Culinary Journey to the North.
Taste our food treasures from the North
Bodø2024 European Capital of Culture
Bodø2024 was the largest cultural project in Norway in over 10 years and the largest in Northern Norway ever. The Capital of Culture year 2024 was a fantastic year with music, dance, theatre, food culture, outdoor activities, sports, gaming, film, literature and many other cultural expressions. For young and old, for professionals and amateurs, for new and old culture users.
More than 1000 events are now history. Our shared history. For us, new perspectives, reflection, nuances and innovative experiences have been central. And even closer human encounters. Experiences you can still take part in, if only a little more spread out and fewer events than in 2024. All the more unique encounters await you!
