Norway
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Bergen gets new performing arts center

21/10/2024, 13:21
Bergen gets new performing arts center
Photo: Bergen kommune
Hilde Wexels Riser Hilde Wexels Riser
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The cornerstone marks the construction of the new Sentralbadet. This will become a new and modern building for Bergen’s performing arts community, where Carte Blanche and BIT Teatergarasjen will be the primary users with 75 percent allocated time and 25 percent for the rest of the performing arts scene in Bergen.

“Now Bergen’s performing arts community will get the facilities they deserve. The modern performing arts center will elevate Bergen as a city of culture,” says Cultural Affairs Commissioner Reidar Digranes.

From Swimming to Performing Arts

In 1960, Sentralbadet was built and was Norway’s most modern swimming facility, designed by architect Halfdan B. Grieg. The swimming facility has since been upgraded and renovated before it closed in 2014 when the ADO Arena opened. After that, the building has housed activities like the Gingerbread Town, served as a vaccination station, and parts of the facade have been used for legal street art.

Bergen’s performing arts community has needed better facilities for a long time. The converted swimming hall will get an amphitheater, workshops, offices, dressing rooms, a foyer and cafe, and everything else a modern performing arts center should have.
From 2027, the building will be filled with a full artistic program. Additionally, some performances will take place already in 2026.

Cornerstone with Content from Today

Along with the cornerstone, today’s newspaper, a coin from our time, and documents describing the time the building is being constructed and who will use it and how, were included.

BIT Teatergarasjen contributed a book marking their 40th anniversary, and Carte Blanche contributed a book made for their 25th anniversary.

Additionally, a special time capsule was included – a glass bottle donated by the local residents’ association. On the bottle is a label with the following text: “Swimming pool water from Sentralbadet. Tapped on the last swimming day, October 23, 2014. Contents: Water, chlorine and the soul of Bergen. May contain traces of Bergen swimming joy dating back to May 2, 1960 (Sentralbadet’s opening date).”

Facts About Sentralbadet Performing Arts Center

Client: Bergen Municipality
Contractor: Veidekke AS
Architect: HLM Arkitektur and Haworth Tompkins
Area: Performing Arts Center/Renovation: 8,308 m2, Office Building: 3,614 m2, Total: 11,922 m2
The total budget for the performing arts center is 829.9 million NOK. 230 million of this is state grants provided in 2017 from the National Cultural Buildings program. Vestland County contributes 105 million to operations. Bergen Municipality contributes the remaining 494.9 million.

The translation was written by an AI system, though the original text was authored by a human. Read the original article here

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