Literature Boat Epos visits Børve, Grimo and Nå
Saturday 27. September 2025,
10:00-20:00
Get your free ticket(s) here:
https://bergen-assembly.hoopla.no/event/1930441995
The Literature Boat Epos is a traveling cultural arena with a long tradition of visiting coastal societies across the western coast of Norway. Epos functioned as a floating library from the 1960s until 2020.
The boat is now a mobile cultural arena funded by its own foundation, where readings, exhibitions, school visits in collaboration with libraries, festivals, and other local happenings are arranged.
The Literature Boat Epos invites you to a day filled with art, literature, and conversations – on both sides of the Hardanger fjord. Together with Olav Bleie, Lars Korff Lofthus, Leander Djønne, and Tora Sanden Døskeland old connections between the villages Grimo, Børve and Nå are brought forth again. These events will find place on land and at sea, turning the fjord into a meeting place – a place for conversations with “the other side”.
In collaboration with Bergen Assembly 2025, Epos is the host for the art programme, Water as a Linker and Separator. The programme fills Epos with artist residences, readings, conversations, film screenings, and performances.
Programme
10:00 Epos departs from the quay at Grimo, bringing participants and audience members across the fjord to Børve.
10:30 Lars Korff Lofthus opens his studio at Børve, located in the old Børve fruit warehouse.
Those arriving by car can park at the old fruit warehouse. The address is Ullensvangvegen 1525.
11:00 After an introduction in the studio, the artist leads a walk toward Børvehovden along the trails that inspire his work. Important: Bring sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes and preferably a sitting pad for the forest.
In the forest, there will be light refreshments, coffee, and a conversation between Lars Korff Lofthus and Shahram Khosravi, author and guest on the Literature Boat Epos. Those who wish can continue all the way to the top with a local guide, while the others head back down. There will also be an opportunity to stop by Tessa’s apple farm along the way.
13:30 Epos transports participants from Børve to Nå.
14:00 Upon arrival in Nå, the group walks up to Alde Cider, where Olav Bleie welcomes them and offers insights into cider production, long-standing traditions, and the neighborly ethics among farmers. Tastings of Alde’s cider and apple juice are included.
17:00 After the farm visit, the program continues on board Epos, moored in Nå. There will be readings and conversations with Leander Djønne, Tora Sanden Døskeland from Grimo, and Agnes Ravatn from Valevåg. Audience members and contributors gather for a shared meal on the boat.
19:00 Epos sails to Lofthus to bring people from “the other side” back.
19:30 Epos returns to Grimo, where the onboard bar remains open for informal conversations.
About the Contributors
Olav Bleie produces cider from Hardanger, and is the founder of the cider house, Alde Sider. He combines traditional cider techniques with apples from the family farm, together with innovation with local roots.
Leander Djønne (b. 1981, Odda) lives and works in Grimo, Hardanger. He has studied at Malmö Konsthögskola/Lunds universitet, the art academies in Oslo and Bergen, Städelschule in Frankfurt am Main and Werner Herzogs Rogue Film School. Djønnes’ artistic practice explores the tensions between nature and civilisation. He works cross-disciplinary, combining film, text, photo, and sculpture. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally.
Shahram Khosravi (b. 1966, Teheran) is an anthropologist and author researching migration, borders, and time. He is a professor at Stockholm University, and has written multiple books, amongst them: Illegal Traveller and Waiting. He is a co-founder of the network, Critical Border Studies, and frequently writes for international publications.
Lars Korff Lofthus (b. 1978, Bergen) is a painter living in Hardanger. His work spans across paintings, sculptures, installations — often thematising queer identity in connection with local folklore and tradition. He has studied at the former Art Academy in Bergen (KMD), and has experience with both educating and curating.
Agnes Ravatn (b. 1983, Ølen) is an author with a sharp and humanistic voice. Her novel, Fugletribunalet (2013) is her most known work, and has been translated into multiple languages.
Tora Sanden Døskeland (b. 1992, Bergen) is an author, literary scholar, and mediator. She holds a Bachelor in Literature from Copenhagen University, a Master from The University in Oslo, and has graduated from Forfatterstudiet (Author studies) in Bergen. She debuted in 2018 with the poem collection, Behold meg (Oktober forlag). She works as a freelance journalist and programme consultant for Sentralbadet Litteraturhus in Odda, and lives in Hardanger.