Christinegården Diversity Festival

Children & youth

Jun 16

Written By Annikken Grieg Sæthre

Who: Christinegården Dagsenter

What: The Diversity Festival

Where: Bergen, Norway

Project period: 2026-2028

About the project

True to tradition we gather and include all the city's day centers for the mentally disabled for an annual festival where we celebrate - and highlight - how diversity enriches the community. We do this with work-shop activities and entertainment, food service and a good atmosphere.

Good experiences and memories for the festival participants. Networking across 10-15 different institutions for the mentally disabled from Bergen. Including people with many different cultural backgrounds. Visibility of diversity in the neighborhood.

All experience shows how this festival makes a positive difference in the lives of the target group. We register experiences of recognition, equality, unity, community and mastery. And, not least, JOY.

Background:

People with mental disabilities often have limited access to ordinary cultural and leisure activities. Lack of adaptation can lead to social isolation and reduced quality of life. There is therefore a need for inclusive and adapted cultural venues that promote participation, community and mastery. Christiegården has a long tradition of being a supplier and provider of the Diversity Festival.

Purpose:

The Diversity Festival shall function as an adapted cultural event. Here, people with mental disabilities shall have good cultural experiences, increased social participation and improved quality of life.

Target group:

People with mental disabilities, as well as their companions and relatives.

The events are adapted to the wishes/needs of the target group through predictable structure, universal design, adapted sound and light levels, clear information and quiet zones.

The project is implemented in collaboration with local suppliers, voluntary organizations and local cultural actors and support.

About the organization

In 1850, customs treasurer Andreas Christie bought the property, which had long been run as a farm. Christie lived in the city in the winter and on the farm "Christiegården" in the summertime.

In 1959, Bergen Municipality made two old houses on Christiegården available for a symbolic rent of 10NOK per year.

The purpose, under the auspices of Bergen Red Cross Children's Aid, was to find a place where mentally disabled people could work and have good coping experiences.

Now, after 60 years of operation, we have the same commitment and the same purpose, to be able to contribute to developmental processes for the best of service users. Central to this work is our vision of being a meeting place - for and with - people in development, with a focus on well-being, security and coping.

Christiegården has for many years been responsible for a number of activities, from the Diversity Festival to exhibitions, trips, Christmas events, concerts etc., and we plan to continue with this in the years to come.