Debate, Local culture | Closure of the civic music: Take care of Larvik’s cultural heritage!

For 175 years, the people of Larvik have been able to eat Sunday breakfast in Bøkeskogen in the summer to the sound of beautiful horn music. Larvik borgermusikk, founded in 1849, is one of the country’s oldest public orchestras, and since its inception they have played a breakfast concert from 9 am to 10 am every Sunday in the summer months. Borgermusikken was founded on the initiative of Larvik’s mayor at the time, Johan Sverdrup, who later became prime minister and known as the “father of parliamentarism”. The tradition of “choral music” has survived two world wars, a pandemic and decades of tight municipal finances, but in 2024 the tradition will be discontinued in order to save an insignificant amount.

Since I was little, “coral breakfast” in Bøkeskogen has been a regular start to Sundays in the summer months. The outdoor dining area at Bøkekroa has been filled with Larvik people of all ages who enjoy breakfast outside, whether it has been brought with them or bought at Bøkekroa. As a child, it was great to eat breakfast with the adults before we little ones could go down to the playground when the food was finished. In the end, it was a matter of running back to the table as soon as we heard the first notes of “God signe our dear fatherland”, which ends every concert with a sing-along. As an adult, I have realized how special this tradition really is, and that this is actually an important part of Larvik’s cultural heritage. Which other Norwegian city can boast such an offer – a free concert with a historic orchestra in such beautiful surroundings every Sunday all summer? In our family, we have often brought friends and acquaintances from out of town for a “coral breakfast” when we have had visitors.

The feedback is usually that they have never heard of anything like it, that this is a special and nice tradition, a good opportunity to gather friends and acquaintances, and that they are fascinated by how long this has roots.

Will 2024 be the year when 175 years of “choral music” become history? In a letter sent out by the cultural department in the municipality in connection with the extensive cuts in the cultural sector, it is stated that “the municipality will continue to focus on cultural heritage and on local traditions and cultural expressions going forward.” Does it mean anything, or is it just nice words?