The birth
Reconciliation festival is a dream that comes true. It was born from several magical moments in 2022: first the vision of the choreography the man and the sea, on TV during the pandemic in Mars 2002 then the random encounter between Nirina Haller, now festival director, and physicist Yves Quéré from the French Academy of Sciences in September 2022 at the Institut de France during the Journées du Patrimoine. The reading of Yves Quéré’s book un coquillage au creux de l’oreille was the trigger to start the pilot edition in 2023 with the two artists performing in “the man and the sea”, dancer and choreographer Julien Boclé and pianist Frederic Vaysse-Knitter.
After the pandemic and the worrying situation related to global climate change and ecological challenges, we felt that art could be a transformative force in society and a way to restore connection to nature and create greater social cohesion.

All on stage
Yves Quéré accepted immediately to become the godfather of the festival and the volunteer association, Den Gjenfundne Tid, engaged all its energy to showcase the scandinavian premiere of the man and the sea in Stavanger. A full festive program was set up by our volunteers shaping some key activities of the festival like our yoga classes in nature, the kids workshops and the beach cleaning action in collaboration with the association Clean Shores. In 2023, we spent three wonderful days of joy but also reflection to change our relationship to Nature and we decided to register the festival within the framework of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

We also recognise the values of technologies and the wellness and progress that science brings to us, therefore scientists are always invited to the festival…Maybe it is not a hazard that they are also music lovers and musicians themselves!
Reconciliation festival was born and is here to stay. Sustainability is a pillar of our vision and also our operating mode as a small non-profit initiative. We could not be there without the economical support of our sponsors and public institutions, the spiritual support of our mentors and of course the vibrant energy of our public. Thank you so much!
“Nature, which pre-exists the way we look at it, gives birth to science: it is the framework of our first words, the source of our first questions, and it remains an inexhaustible source of enigmas and wonders.“
Yves Quéré, French Académie of Sciences
The growth
The international artistic direction was set up following the first pilot edition, as another result of a beautiful encounter between the french pianist Frédéric Vaysse-Knitter and the Stavanger-based finnish cellist Ilmari Hopkins. Together they define the artistic line of the festival and how it will develop. We are looking forward to the exciting program they have set up for 2024 and in particular their first concert together on 24th august!
The growth of the festival is undeniable with 18 guests, 5 concerts, one art exhibition and always the will to stay sustainable.
The artistic board
Our commitments towards the SDG

We invite our audience to embrace the idea that art, and music in particular, are essential ingredients for a fulfilling and healthy life, as we share the joy of cultural experiences together.

We offer free art and science workshops for young people, aiming to actively engage them in achieving the goals of 2030 Agenda. As the global citizens of tomorrow, their involvement is key to shaping a sustainable future.

We achieve a good balance between male and female guests and strive to highlight female composers. The project ‘Atomic: A tribute to Marie Curie and her daughters’ in 2025 is a strong initiative aligned with this sustainability goal.

We offer free workshops and a pricing strategy where our concerts are offered at lower prices than other chamber music festivals of the same quality. Free concerts to refugees.

We limit printed materials (no programs) and encourage a vegetarian and flexitarian diet. We refrain from distributing single-use promotional items to volunteers and artists, opting instead for lasting and meaningful gifts.

Festival guests are encouraged to avoid flying. In 2024, two artists traveled by train from Paris and Stockholm. Locally, we are committed to using public transportation and carpooling within Stavanger region.

Our collaboration with Clean Shores enables us to organize professional beach cleanups alongside educational activities, particularly focused on microplastics and reducing single-use plastics in everyday life

Partnerships are crucial for the execution of the festival and form the very foundation of our association’s structure and the vision we uphold. We are delighted to invite each year different communities and associations to participate in the festival.
2024 Highlights
We had a wonderful 2nd edition! Thank you all, dear artists, public and our sponsors for being the breath of the new world!
music: Reynaldo Hahn, quintet in F sharp minor performed by Sonoko Miriam Welde, Ivana Jasova, Vårin Lie Rognes, Jakob Koranyi and Frédéric Vaysse-Knitter at the closing concert.
2023 Highlights
Dance
Thank you Julien Boclé for a breathtaking moment! Vigor, energy, grace and poetry, the scandinavian premiere of the man and the sea offered us a wave of emotion. Bravi to our young dancers who performed “Les sauvages” by Rameau after a 2 hours workshop with Julien!
Science Workshop
Thank you to our volunteer, Stéphanie Kretz, who organised a hands-on science workshop inspired by Yves Quéré, festival’s godfather, Georges Charpak (Nobel Prize) and Pierre Léna’s initiative La main à la pâte.
Yoga in nature
Thank you to all who came on the Sunday beach yoga session with Vanessa Livingston. Sun shone and warmed up our savasana moment!

Concert
Thank you Frédéric Vaysse-Knitter for a sumptuous programme of piano music with Debussy, Chopin, Grieg and Szymanovsky! Frédéric is now artistic director of the festival, together with Stavanger-based cellist, Ilmari Hopkins. We are looking forward to seeing you back, Frédéric!
Sustainability
The festival was registered in the FN calendar for World Ocean Day 2023. During these 3 days, we learned about reducing our environmental impact and protect our nature.
Beach cleaning
Thank you to all who joined the beach cleaning action led by Nadia Aarab from Clean Shores! This was a simple way to put in actions these words of FN General-Secretary “Let’s put the oceans first”!
Clean Shores organises beach cleaning actions around Stavanger all year round.