# Aarhus Festuge

Aarhus Festuge (Aarhus Festival) is a 10-day arts and culture festival in the city of Aarhus, Denmark. It takes place every year in late August to early September (in weeks 35–36).
The first Aarhus Festival happened in 1965, after being established the year before as an experiment to bring together and activate the city's institutions and associations. The overarching purpose was to present Aarhus’ cultural profile, based on the political idea that art, culture and community are essential for a flourishing city. It was considered a great success, and the festival have been an annual tradition ever since.
From 1965, Aarhus Festuge has evolved to become more than just a local event. Nowadays, it has a more international focus, and over the years, artists from all across the world have been part of the festivities.

## Description

With local and international artists, and events for both children, young people, and adults, Aarhus Festival has grown to encompass around 1000 events in 10 days. That makes it one of the largest cultural events in Northern Europe. The happenings spans a broad range of cultural genres, such as music, theatre, architecture, food, art installations, talks, and dancing, as well as general entertainment.
About one third of the events are planned and arranged by the Festival's head office, while the remaining two thirds are organised by private or external actors in the city. Thereby, Aarhus Festival creates a platform for creativity, development and cooperation between the city's cultural actors, businesses, restaurants, venues, and associations.

## History

Aarhus Festuge was established in 1964, debuted in September 1965, and has since then become one of the largest themed festivals in Northern Europe.
In 2014, Aarhus Festival took place from 29 August to 7 September. It was the festivals' 50th anniversary, and was marked with the theme ‘Same but different’.

## Themes

Aarhus Festival always revolves around an overall theme, which is now used for three-year periods. The theme serves as a guideline and an inspiration for the events, and is visible in many aspects of the festival. The annual poster, which is created by a different artist each year, is the visual representation of the theme. For 2023–2025, the theme is ‘Mind the Gap’.
previous themes :
| Year | Theme in Danish | Theme translated into English |
| 2020-2022 | In It Together | - |
| 2017-2019 | Bridging | - |
| 2016 | Upside Down | - |
| 2015 | Lys mere lys | Light, more light |
| 2014 | Same but different | - |
| 2013 | Tegn på liv – i en ny virkelighed | Signs of life - in a new reality |
| 2012 | Big | - |
| 2011 | Skønne Fejl... Og Andre Lykketræf | Lovely Mistakes ... And other strokes of luck |
| 2010 | Naboer | Neighbors |
| 2009 | Fremtiden er nær! | The future is near! |
| 2008 | Åben by | Open city |
| 2007 | I bevægelse | In motion |
| 2006 | WOMANIA | - |
| 2005 | Mit livs eventyr | Fairy tale of my life |
| 2004 | Fra Aros med Eros | From Aros with Eros |
| 2003 | Images of Asia – Asiatiske forbindelser | Images of Asia – Asian connections |
| 2002 | Lusofonia: Kultur fra den portugisisktalende verden | Lusofonia: Culture from the Portuguese speaking world |
| 2001 | Global-Lokal | Global-Local |
| 2000 | - | - |
| 1999 | 10 år efter Murens fald | Ten years after fall of the wall |
| 1998 | Danske visioner | Danish Visions |
| 1997 | Latinamerika | Latin America |
| 1996 | Prolog til fremtiden | Prologue to the future |
| 1995 | I Østen | In The East |
| 1994 | Twist and Shout | - |
| 1993 | Grænseløs | Borderless |
| 1992 | Det ny Europa | The New Europe |
| 1991 | Nordisk Hvælv | Nordic Vault |
| 1990 | Et vindue mod øst | A window to the East |
| 1989 | Århus Festuges 25-års jubilæum | Aarhus Festuge's 25th anniversary |
| 1988 | Verdenstrommer | Drums of the World |
| 1987 | Det dansk-franske kulturår | The Danish-French Cultural Year |
| 1986 | Afrikansk Kultur | African Culture |
| 1985 | Dans nu | Dance now |
| 1984 | Århus Festuges 20-års jubilæum | Aarhus Festuge's 20th anniversary |
| 1983 | Alsidighed | Versatility |
| 1982 | Musikhuset | The Music House |
| 1981 | Rytmisk musik | Rhythmic music |
| 1980 | Idræt i centrum | Sports in highlight |
| 1979 | Dans i centrum | Dance in highlight |

## Gallery

* The city-scape is temporarily refurnished. Here, trees on central town squares.
* Sandy beaches on the inner harbour front.
* Visual art (Aarhus Streetart Festival)
* Sculptural decorations around town.
* Interactive light and sound installation.
* Circus in the town center.
* Street performances
* Several festivals within the festival. Scene from Food Festival.
* Inversus Festival, a music festival geared towards young people primarily.
* Several music scenes are set up around town. Understrøm Festival.

## Nearby cities

Similar cultural festivals are simultaneously held in some nearby cities. Randers Ugen has been celebrated in Randers since 1976 and Trekantsområdets Festuge since 2014 in the cities of Vejle, Fredericia and Kolding and surrounding smaller towns, collectively known as the Triangle Region.