Best Traditional Hardanger Fiddle and Norwegian Folk String Craft Tour Destinations
Browse more guides: Norway travel | Europe destinations Best Traditional Hardanger Fiddle and Norwegian Folk String Craft Tour Destinations TL;DR The Hardanger fiddle - hardingfele in Norwegian - is Norway's national instrument, played with a melody set of four strings over four sympathetic resonating strings, and decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay and pen-and-ink rosing. Travel to Hardanger fjord country in western Norway, Telemark in the south for the deepest village tradition, and time around Landskappleiken (the national folk-music championship, location varies year to year). About ten days for a focused trip, two weeks for a broader Norwegian arc that adds the Setesdal valley and the Bergen coastal scene. The instrument has been a UNESCO-supported folk tradition through Norway's intangible-heritage programs and remains genuinely alive - bridal processions, bygdedans (regional dance), and the kappleik competition circuit drive a steady demand for new instrume...