A Christmas Concert from Norway - Watch For It On Your Local PBS Station

A Christmas Concert from Norway

This holiday season, I had the opportunity to travel to Oslo, Norway to attend the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony and concert, which was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity onto itself. 

However, what made the trip to Norway even more special was the side-trip I took to Hamar, Norway, to attend the taping of the A Christmas Concert from Norway concert, which has since been airing throughout the holidays on many PBS television stations here in America. This year marked the first time this concert was televised internationally. 

Musicians Mari Silji and Haakon Sameulsen perform

The A Christmas Concert from Norway was co-hosted by Hollywood director Harald Zwart (a Norwegian, whose most recent movie project was the Karate Kid movie, which is now available on DVD), as well as HH Princess Martha Louise of Norway. 

The concert itself was held within an absolutely gorgeous church in the center of Hamar, and featured a handful of heartwarming, holiday musical performances by musicians Mari Silje and Haakon Samuelsen, who are originally from Hamar. 

This brother and sister are highly accomplished musicians, who tour around the world performing throughout the year, but come home every holiday season to produce and perform in this very special holiday concert.

This year, another performer at the concert was soprano Measha Brueggergosman, who had performed at New York's Carnegie Hall just weeks before. The Oslo Philharmonic also performed.

The Viking Ship Olympic Arena in Hamar, Norway

Located about two hours by car from Oslo, the city of Hamar is a beautiful area that is well worth visiting. Back in 1994, during the Lillehammer Olympics, thousands of spectators came to Hamar to witness the speed skating events which were held within the Vikingskipet (The Viking Ship Olympic Arena). 

Today, this small city offers a wide range of activities for visitors, as well as several extremely comfortable hotels and other accommodation options.

I stayed at the lovely Scandic Hamar Hotel in the city's center. It offers extremely comfortable accommodations, with all of the modern amenities a tourist could ask for.

Hamar is a truly historic region of Norway, and is home to several museums, unique local shopping opportunities, plus golf courses, lakes for fishing and boating, and plenty of incredible landscapes. A variety of entertainment options are also available throughout the year.

While the winter months are breathtakingly beautiful in Norway, the temperature is extremely cold. But, if you're planning a trip to Oslo, taking a side trip to the Hamar region is highly recommended, as this smaller city offers a true look at past and present Norwegian culture, without being inundated with other tourists.

Hamar, Norway is a beautiful winter wonderland

I highly recommend visiting Hamar, Norway. However, this holiday season, if you want a taste of Norway without leaving home, you should most certainly watch the A Christmas Concert from Norway when it airs on your local PBS television station.

To learn more about the A Christmas Concert from Norway, visit www.klassiskjulekonsert.no. If you're planning a trip to Norway, and you'd like to learn more about all there is to see, do and experience within the Hamar region, visit www.hamarregionen.no.