Nord-Norges Vegetarfestival
16. mars 11:00 - 17.00 | Driv (Storgata 6)
Italian Pizza
You will also have the chance to learn more about plant-based foods and their advantages for the environment and your health as well as about animal welfare. Have a chat with dedicated NGOs or listen to interesting talks held by knowledgeable speakers.
Tromsø VegFest – Nord-Norges Vegetarfestival is a festival for the whole family. And don’t forget to invite your friends! Everyone who likes good food is welcome.
Tromsø VegFest is organized by the non-profit organization Grønn Framtid.
Great news: Your ticket to Tromsø VegFest gives you free entrance to all our program which includes a cooking class, talks, kid's corner, clothing swap and more! You will join, won't you?
Tromsø VegFest – Nord-Norges Vegetarfestival 2024 with all its stalls, the kid's corner and the clothing swap opens.
Foredrag med Katarina Melland-Grøvlen
Har du noen gang lurt på hvordan mat, sosial rettferdighet og miljø henger sammen? Foredraget tar for seg påvirkningen mat har på samfunnet vårt og kloden vår. Du får høre mer om hvordan matproduksjon påvirker dyrene: Både de i produksjonen, men også ville dyr. Foredraget går også inn på hvordan matproduksjon påvirker miljø, natur og menneskerettigheter.
Katarina Melland-Grøvlen har bakgrunn fra arbeid for dyre-, menneske- og miljørettigheter og en grad innen utviklingsstudier og sosialt arbeid. Katarina Melland-Grøvlen jobber i Grønn Framtid, en non-profit organisasjon som jobber for et mer rettferdig matsystem - for mennesker, dyr og planeten. Grønn Framtids mål er 50 % reduksjon av animalske produkter innen 2040.
The talk will be held in Norwegian
When Gareth Davies was in his prime as a professional footballer in the UK his career was abruptly ended by a knee injury that has prevented him from running ever since.
This would be devastating for any young sportsman and at the time that is exactly how he felt. However, sometimes the greatest disappointments in life can lead to the greatest blessings, this was the case for Gareth.
Significant weight gain soon became a problem for him. High blood pressure was also a probable issue, therefore he needed to take immediate action. In 1989 he started to educate himself about diet and the effect on the human body. Becoming fascinated with his findings, he used his own body as a research tool for several years. Quickly he came to the conclusion that a plant-based diet could be a tool that most people could use to reduce high blood pressure, and therefore decrease their chances of among others stroke and heart attack.
He decided to make this lifestyle change permanent so that he could give himself the best chance to live with energy, mobility, and high brain function right up until the day he dies.
For the past 35 years he has avoided consuming meat, dairy, eggs & fish, along the way helping many people transform and improve their health by moving to a plant based diet.
Today Gareth is based in Tromsø - and is sharing his inspiring story with us at Tromsø VegFest. Come and learn how you too can increase your chances of fully living right up until the day you die.
The talk will be held in English.
Trenger du praktisk matlagingsinspirasjon? Hverdagen har slått inn og du griper til de samme oppskriftene om og om igjen? På dette kokkekurset får du nye ideer, inspirasjon og ikke minst fantastiske smaker!
Når Koen van de Greevenbroek ikke er ute i naturen liker han å eksperimentere med nye smaker og lage veganske hverdagsretter. Vanessa Brall har jobbet med kantiner, bedrifter og organisasjoner for å implementere mer plantebasert mat, samt inspirert tusenvis gjennom årene til å komme i gang med mer plantebasert mat. Hun er grunnlegger og leder i Grønn Framtid og initiativtaker til Tromsø VegFest.
Matglede garantert!
Kokkekurset foregår på norsk.
Join us for a yoga session at Tromsø VegFest! Led by Nelson, an experienced yoga instructor, this class is for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a beginner, this session welcomes all levels, focusing on flexibility, strength, relaxation, mindfulness and feeling good.
Nelson will guide you through poses to help you unwind and feel calm. You'll learn how yoga can make your body and mind feel better.
Grab your yoga mat and join us! It's a great way to take a break and feel peaceful at Tromsø VegFest.
Lisa and Parsa Massahi are the masterminds behind Polarhagen, a biodynamic and vegan vegetable farm located in Lofoten.
The couple want to show that it is possible to feed Norway and the world through a vegan cultivation practice. And it's not only possible, but it's also better for non-human animals, for humans, and for our planet. Do you want to learn more about vegan farming, future food production and animal rights? Then you are most welcome to a lecture with Parsa from Polarhagen! Parsa will share both practical experiences, philosophical and spiritual food for thought and take up a number of myths about our Norwegian agriculture. What challenges will we face in the shift from an agriculture that destroys nature to an agriculture that heals - and how do we solve these challenges?
Finally, Parsa will give us a sneak peak to the new, exciting concept for Polarhagen, namely that they will create an animal sanctuary on their farm! An animal sanctuary (dyrefristed in Norwegian) is a place where animals are allowed to live without being a product. They do not have to create a product, such as eggs, milk or meat, and are simply be allowed to exist in the world. These are often animals that are saved from slaughter, in that the farmer does not want to keep them any longer, because they do not produce enough for the farm. Do you think that sounds exciting? We’ll see you at the lecture then, won’t we?
The talk will be in English.
Not everyone is going traditional ways, and that’s how the local mushroom farm by Tromsopp started - nestled just a few kilometers from Tromsø.
Tromsopp grew from our desire to fight food security. In Norway, food imports have increased by 400 % between 2000 and 2020. Producing food industrially requires a large amount of synthetic fertilizers, but the cost of fertilizers is skyrocketing and their supply is a challenge for farmers around the world. Producing food sustainably is not enough says Tromsopp: We must now find ways that are regenerative, and create positive impacts on the planet while feeding humanity.
Delphin from Tromsopp will take you on a journey to discover the culinary delights of Tromsopp. Specializing in varieties like shiitake and lion's mane, the farm utilizes innovative methods to cultivate highly nutritious mushrooms while minimizing waste. Situated within a repurposed industrial building, Tromsopp proudly contributes to preserving agricultural land for local farmers.
In the talk you’ll learn how repurposing materials such as wood dust and coffee grounds, not only reduce waste but also conserve water and energy, all without the need for synthetic fertilizers and how Tromsopp is collaborating with local farms to enrich their soil for vegetable cultivation.
More than just a sustainable option, our mushrooms offer a delectable alternative to animal protein, catering to individuals embracing a more ethical lifestyle. Join Tromsopps mission to combat food insecurity and promote regenerative practices that nourish both people and the planet!
The talk will be in English.
Tromsø VegFest (Nord-Norges Vegetarfestival) with all its stalls, exhibitions, clothing swap and the kids corner closes.
Visit Repair Café, where community meets sustainability! Bring your damaged clothes, and get help of skilled volunteers of Framtiden i våre hender who will work their magic to help you fix them up. There will also be sewing stations for garments, we've got you covered. Join us to reduce waste, learn new skills, and connect with your neighbors. Let's repair, recycle, and rejuvenate together!
The repair café is run by the local chapter of Framtiden i våre hender.
Tromsø VegFest is for everyone - including the small ones! Come to the kid's corner at Tromsø VegFest for fantastic face painting fun! Join Fest & Moro Studio for a day of colorful creativity. Let your kids' imaginations shine as they become their favorite characters with our magical face paint designs. Don't miss out on the smiles and laughter!
The kid’s corner is a collaboration between Fest & Moro Studio and Grønn Framtid.
You know the struggle: Your wardrobe is full of clothes, but you’d like something different to wear. Well, here you go! Bring up to 7 pieces of clothing to Tromsø VegFest and take up to 7 pieces home again! Voila, different things in your wardrobe, all free and swapping is all good for the planet!
The clothing swap is a collaboration between Grønn Framtid and the student chapter of Framtiden i våre hender.
Step into a world of compassion and connection at “SANCTUARIA" at Tromsø VegFest. Join us for a heartwarming journey as we showcase a captivating collection of tender and joyful photographs captured in the Spanish sanctuary Gaia.
In a society often inundated with distressing images from the meat industry, this exhibition offers a refreshing perspective, illuminating the beauty and dignity of animals living in peace and harmony. Each photograph tells a story of resilience, gentleness, and the universal desire for a life free from harm.
As you wander through the exhibit, immerse yourself in the serene landscapes and the soulful gazes of our sanctuary residents. From playful moments of camaraderie to serene scenes of tranquillity, these images serve as a poignant reminder of the inherent value of every sentient being.
Together, let us celebrate the remarkable bond between humans and animals and inspire a future rooted in kindness and respect for all beings.
The exhibition is composed by the work of Ana Palacios and coordinated by Nuria Cots and will be part of Tromsø VegFest.
Tromsø VegFest – Nord-Norges Vegetarfestival takes place at Driv in Tromsø. Driv is located at Storgata 6. Take the bus to any bus station in the centre and you will have Driv within walking distance. Driv is a usually a student house, but we promise you that Tromsø VegFest is a veggie food celebration for the whole family! The nearest bus stops are “Polaria” and "Peder Hansens gate" which are a couple of minutes away. Use Troms fylkestrafikk to plan your route.
We recommend to use public transportation. If you do want to come by car, “Fjellet parkeringshus” is close to Driv. There are two entrances from downtown and two from “Sentrumstangenten” (the tunnel under Tromsø center).
Free entrance | Be part of an amazing team
Free meal | Make a real difference :)
WHO'S BEHIND VEGFEST?
Grønn Framtid is the organiser of Tromsø VegFest.
Grønn Framtid is a charity organisation working towards a more just food system – for humans, animals and the planet alike. Many of the most pressing problems in today’s society have one thing in common: They are connected to our high consumption of animal products. Grønn Framtid’s work for a more plant-based diet saves the environment for huge strains, prevents the most common lifestyle diseases and helps animals suffering in intensive agriculture.
Read more at gronn-framtid.no.
A big thank you: Tromsø VegFest is supported by Tromsø municipality (Tromsø kommune) and Troms Kraft.
Would you like to become a sponsor for or exhibitor at northern Norways biggest veggie festival?
Tromsø VegFest is the biggest veggie festival outside of Oslo and gives you therefore an excellent opportunity to reach a lot of people in your target group. Our festival attracted already more than 1 000 attendees when first organised in 2019, while celebrating another success when organised for the second time in 2022.
Join us at the same time making a difference for the environment, the animals and public health with us! Vegetarianism is on the rise in Norway and a lot of companies – big and small – are jumping on the veggie bandwagon.
We are looking forward to welcome you at Tromsø VegFest 2024! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at tromso@vegfest.no.
Non-profit webshop with meaningful stickers and buttons – for a better future!
Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge Tromsø is a voluntary animal protection organisation. They work with animal protection and help animals who are homeless or for other reasons do not have a well-functioning home.
Fest & Moro Studio means creative and colorful face painting! The company is a latino inspired business where designers, artists and free souls match together to create a magic entertainment for kids and adults! At Tromsø VegFest they’ll offer free facepainting and more!
Flavour Catering sells authentic East-African dishes at Tromsø VegFest! Look forward to their tasty dishes with cassava and yam in creamy coconut- and peanut sauce!
Framtiden i våre hender (Future in our hands) is a Norwegian non-governmental organisation promoting ethical and sustainable consumption. Their goal is a socially just world within the planetary boundaries. At Tromsø VegFest you can meet the UiT student group as well as the local group of Framtiden i våre hender.
Grønn Framtid is a charity organisation working towards a more just food system – for humans, animals and the planet alike. Our work for a more plant-based diet saves the environment for huge strains, prevents the most common lifestyle diseases and helps animals suffering in intensive agriculture.
Stop by Holt Økepark’s stand to taste freshly baked sourdough bread, try fermented veggies, and sip on kombucha or herbal teas. Join their competition for prizes, learn about upcoming events, and sign up as a volunteer. And psst: They would love to hear your wishes for future activities at Holt Økopark!
The International Vegetarian provides free information about the aspect of eating plant-based, and recipes for a variety of tasty veggie food. Also look out for the free vegan biscuits!
Kaninhold.info is a website that provides important information and practical advice about how to give house rabbits the best lives possible. The goal of the website is to stop pet rabbit suffering by educating the owners about rabbit needs and behavior.
Look forward to a local company from Kvaløya: Litt Grønnere produces environmentally friendly alternatives to disposable packaging such as bread bags, fruit bags and gift wrapping as well as alternatives to disposable products such as kitchen rolls and make-up pads. Many of the products have been redesigned from tablecloths, curtains and kitchen towels.
NOAH is an organisation that always promotes the animals’ case and is never satisfied with compromises at their expense. Animals do not exist for human use. They exist to live their own lives. This is why NOAH works against all exploitation of animals.
Tasty Norwegian Energy drinks that also boost your health and immune system! Enjoy a refreshing boost that keeps you feeling good and ready for whatever comes your way.
To honor the Nepalis who built the trail to the top of Fløya and all the culture that goes with it, Sherpatrappa will be here with its Momos, a well-know traditional Nepali dish which will soon become Tromsø’s signature. Never tried stuffed-dumplings before? Well, come and give it a shot, it’s like falling in-love! If you have never travelled to Nepal before, don’t worry, it will almost feel like being in Kathmandu. Is tea your thing as well? Wait to try our spicy chaï, it will warm you up for the whole winter, that’s for sure!
Sunn og Grønn will be giving you information on how to eat more healthy and green. We will hand out free recipes as well as selling a book on eating healthy and green.
Enjoy their delicious and juicy kebab - a VegFest favourite that quickly sold out in at the previous festivals. Throughout the year you can also join Tromsø Meditasjon & Yoga for free classes in meditation & relaxation, as well as yoga courses, and get filled up on the inside as well :)
Learn more >
Located in the village of Utskor within the scenic Vesterålen archipelago, Elrid's Farm is a picturesque haven. Elrid cultivates a variety of herbs, berries, and vegetables - and does magic to them. Find treats such as jams, herbal salt, teas, spicy sauces, candies and her unique gløgg (non-alcoholic Norwegian mulled wine) and taste Vesterålen!
Wedeb’s Restaurant serves dishes made from authentic recipes originating from Eritrea, full of delicious flavours. And what makes Wedeb’s dishes even more wonderful - all proceeds go to a local football club, Skarp G06!
Learn more >
Senja Roasters is a specialty coffee roastery in wild Senja, which also produces kombucha - with love! At Tromsø VegFest, you will find Senja Roasters with four delicious flavours of Wild Animals Kombucha. One animal, one flavour, all wild.
World Saving Hustle is a network organization working for a better world through nature, animal, and environmental rights. Stop by their booth and learn about activism. Here, you can become a supporting member, volunteer, or simply have a chat. Free coffee and tea will be served to all members!
Try some delicious homemade food from Palestine! Yalla Habibi makes tasty dishes like hummus, baba ganoush, and dolma. These recipes are traditional and full of flavor, just like they make them in Palestine. Whether you're familiar with Palestinian food or trying it for the first time, Yalla Habibi welcomes you to enjoy their warm and delicious offerings. Come taste the goodness!
Learn more >
Tromsø VegFest – Nord-Norges Vegetariske Festival depends on volunteers and we need many to make it as awesome as it can be!
There are loads of possible tasks, both at the event and beforehand. To name a few: helping at bake sales or information stalls before the festival, baking vegan cake, handing out leaflets before the event, setting up and taking down on the day of the event, selling lottery tickets during the festival, check tickets at the entrance, photography/videography, helping at the kid’s corner and more! Part of the last shift is the tear down.
Our shifts are short (around 4 hours), so you have the possibility to both volunteer & enjoy the festival as a guest.
Read more about the different tasks below :)
Moving/setting up tables, chairs, cables and signage in the hall. Helping exhibitors to find their table. We have little time to set up everything, so your work is crucial! And hey, be one of the first people seeing all of the great things Tromsø VegFest has to offer 🙂 Side note: Volunteering for this task enables you also to enjoy the ENTIRE festival!
Want to make people enter the festival with a smile? You’re the first person visitors meet and you check tickets, sell tickets and hand out event guides. Join this crew if you want to give people a great festival start!
As a volunteer at the Grønn Framtid booth you inform people about the organisation behind Tromsø VegFest – Nord-Norges Vegetarfestival: Grønn Framtid! You inform about campaigns, give information on vegan food, sell books and look for new members who will support Grønn Framtids work. You’ll receive training before 🙂 Curious to know more now about Grønn Framtid and our mission to reduce animal products by 50 % by 2040? Check out www.gronn-framtid.no!
You are the one who jumps in if someone is sick, if we realise that we need more people somewhere or who helps solving unforeseen problems. Bonus: You might get to see/do lots of different cool things!
You are caring for the festivals smallest visitors by drawing with them, playing or other activities – and making them smile! Bonus: Want to be the person/one of the persons planning the childrens corner as well? You already have suggestions on what the kid’s corner should look like/what the activities should be? Go ahead and write to tromso(at)vegfest.no
You are the person keeping the festival and it’s message alive: Even when the festival is over! As a photographer you will be all over the festival taking photos of exhibitors, visitors, speakers, cooking classes and more! Big plus if you have experience with taking good photos and if you have the possibility to take photos during the whole day – with lots of breaks of course! It’s a requirement that you bring your own camera.
You’re a star, because you make the festival look nice, tidy and clean! We need you! And of course our shining star will see a lot of the festival as you’re roaming around 🙂
You are the one making sure that speakers and cooking demo assistants have everything they need and that there are no problems during the talks and cooking demos – and of course you get to see a lot of what’s going on on stage. For this position you need to be able to speak both Norwegian and English.
At the welcome table you help visitors finding their way at the festival location, answer questions as well as selling awesome cake and raffle tickets. You are representing Tromsø VegFest even more than other places! 🙂
You know, somehow we need to get all that equipment to the location. That's where you jump in! You'll transport boxes, maybe listen to some good music while driving and be the our transportation hero!
Let us know if you can help with your own car, or if you need us to fix a car for you. Note: Valid driving licence for Norway is obviously a requirement :) And: Volunteering for this task enables you also to enjoy the ENTIRE festival!
Hand out flyers about Tromsø VegFest in the city center to let even more people know about our delicious festival! You’ll be away from the festival venue, but therefore your shift is one of the shortest – so plenty of time to enjoy the festival!
You’re updating people out there on social media on the day of the event – inviting everyone at home to come and join or show them what a great festival they missed! This role requires that we get to know you better before the festival – because you’re not only speaking to more than a thousand festival attendees, but also thousands of people out there!
You are the person keeping the festival and it’s message alive: Even when the festival is over! As a videographer you will be all over the festival taking videos of exhibitors, visitors, speakers, cooking classes and more! Big plus if you have experience with recording videos. It’s a requirement that you bring your own camera for this position.
Volunteer opportunities beyond the day of event/sporadic help before:
Do you have a special skill or experience and passion to volunteer with Tromsø VegFest on a more ongoing, deeper level? We’d love to hear from you! The planning committee is looking for dedicated and reliable team members to help in various ways. If interested, please contact us at tromso@vegfest.no and tell us about yourself, your experience what you can contribute with and how much time you have.
You might also want to check out Grønn Framtid’s volunteer page or join our Facebook group for Tromsø as we are working on several other awesome projects!
tromso(at)vegfest.no
Donors help to make Tromsø VegFest possible and ensure that Tromsø VegFest can continue as a yearly event, an event that can ultimately improve the overall health of our community, create environmental awareness and highlight the connection between our food choices and animal welfare.
Become a member today to help Grønn Framtid achieve its goals of making plant-based food accessible for everyone – for our planet, our health and animal welfare! As a member you support Tromsø VegFest as well as our other campaigns so we can effectively make a difference!
Read more about Grønn Framtid here.
Would you like to work in an organisation that aligns with your values? With more plant-based food on our plate, we can combat several of the most pressing problems in today’s society: We save the environment from enormous strains, prevent several of the most common lifestyle diseases and help animals suffering in factory farms.
That is why Grønn Framtid changes thousands of meals in Norwegian schools and canteens every year, while Tromsø VegFest – Northern Norway’s Veggie Festival and our Plant Power Challenge inspire thousands of people to eat more plant-based. Furthermore, we are cooperating with companies and are responsible for V-Label Norway. Do you want to be part of this exciting and important development?
