– exhibition and events

Østfold International Theatre has interviewed more than 1000 people from Østfold and illustrated their thoughts on everyday life, what they miss and what their hopes are for the future of Østfold. We now invite you to “Future Østfold,” a thought-provoking collective exhibition and events series in Østre bydel in Sarpsborg!

Location: St. Marie gate 42, Sarpsborg
Duration: 21.8-7.9.2025, se details and events below

Since 2020, Østfold International Theatre has toured with In Search of Democracy 3.0, an art project consisting of two parts: A research performance and an interactive installation.

Over the past five years, the In Search of Democracy 3.0 installation has visited Moss, Fredrikstad, Halden, Indre Østfold and Sarpsborg. We’ve invited people to think out loud about what the future might look like, as professional illustrators visualise their answers.

The result is more than 550 unique illustrations – a bank of ideas in pictures, created through interviews with people throughout Østfold. Now, for the very first time, the illustrations are being shown together – in a major exhibition in Sarpsborg, ahead of the Norwegian 2025 general election!

A multitude of voices

Individually, the drawings are small stories and strong visual entries into other people’s hopes, concerns and visions. Together, they provide a striking and inspiring snapshot of how people in Østfold think about society – and the future.

The Future Østfold exhibition will also serve as a backdrop for open performances and discussion events in the weeks leading up to the election. Several exciting partners will also contribute their own lectures, workshops, and other activities. The event overview below is updated continuously. Click on the links to read more about each event. All events are complimentary!

This isn’t just an art exhibition – it’s an invitation to join the conversation about who we are and where we’re going. Welcome!

The exhibition is open

– Thursdays and Fridays 14-18 (from the 22.8)
– Saturdays and Sundays 12-16

Events

Thursday 21.8 18:00
Vernissage!

Sunday 24.8 12:00-16:00
Culture Sunday: Come get your ideas drawn by the illustrators behind the exhibition.

Wednesday 27.8 14:00
Book launch and the performance In Search of Democracy 3.0

Thursday 28.8 at 18-20
Når maskinene stilner, hvem er vi da?
Lecture by Østfoldmuseene with following panel discussion

Tuesday 2.9 11:00-12:30
Pådriv Østfold
SoCentral, Pådriv and ØIT invites everyone who wants to help strengthen everyday democracy in Østfold!

Wednesday 3.9. at 8:00-8:40
Democratic Fitness –
(cancelled)

Thursday 4.9. at 17-17:40
Democratic Fitness –
>> Read more and sign up here

Thursday 4.9 at 19:00
Performance: In Search of Democracy 3.0

Friday 5.9. at 8-8:40
Democratic Fitness –
(cancelled)

Sunday 7.9 at 14:00
Performance: In Search of Democracy 3.0

Credits

Produced by Østfold Internasjonale Teater, Anette Havna Tømmerholen
Events in collaboration with: Sarpsborg municipality’s Områdesatsing Østre bydel and Olavsdagene, So Central, Østfoldmuseene and Særp Tropez
Curator: Anja Bjørshol
Producer performance: Malin Østli
Technicians: Øyvind Andresen, Knut Ole Ringstad
Illustration Østfold : Simen Langeland