We’re making a film – in collaboration with Valdresruta and NOR‑WAY Bussekspress

The collaboration is carried out in close dialogue with Valdresruta, represented by Helge Kvame, who operates services for NOR‑WAY Bussekspress and has contributed significantly to the project.

– We are very pleased that NOR‑WAY Bussekspress and Valdresruta wanted to join us in creating this film. Valdres Sommersymfoni aims to showcase our beautiful valley and the opportunities that exist within public transport. As an environmentally certified event, we encourage all visitors to travel by bus when coming to our festival and courses, says Mona Kleven, Director of the Norwegian Centre for Classical Music.

The journey from Oslo to Valdres

In the film we follow Scarlett and Otto, two children from Oslo who play the leading roles. In the story the girl is already a participant in Valdres Sommersymfoni’s courses and the Gnist programme, while the boy becomes “infected” by the music and the sense of community he experiences in Valdres. The narrative shows how the joy of music can grow — and how it can inspire new children to take part.

The first scenes were filmed in Oslo, including in Maridalen, where NOR‑WAY Bussekspress provided a bus, driver and assistant for the shoot depicting the journey from Oslo to Valdres. The idea behind using the bus in the film is to highlight a safe, efficient and sustainable way of travelling — the same journey many of the summer participants actually take when coming to Valdres for courses and concerts.

Later the same day, filming continued at Otto’s home in St. Hanshaugen, where his parents, Olav and Anine, opened their home to the film crew and helped create an authentic setting for the story.

Filming in Valdres next week

The final scenes will be filmed on 24 June in Valdres, both outdoors in nature and at Valdres Folk High School in Leira, where the courses begin on 19 June and run until 29 June. Here, the film will capture ensemble playing, musical joy, and the strong sense of community that arises when more than 250 children and young people come together to make music.

Music by Henning Kraggerud

The film’s main theme is composed by violinist and composer Henning Kraggerud, whose music ties the entire film together — from the journey through the valley to the encounters between the children during the courses.

The film will be released later in the autumn and will be used to highlight the course activities and showcase the growing musical community in Valdres.

Facts about NOR‑WAY Bussekspress

• One of Norway’s largest express bus networks, with 14 routes covering much of Southern Norway.

• Around 2 million passengers travel with NOR‑WAY annually.

• Operates as a marketing company for the express routes; the routes themselves are run by affiliated bus companies.

• Offers discounted tickets for children, students, families and travel companions.

Facts about Valdresruta AS

• A local company based in Fagernes.

• Operates the NW150 Valdresekspressen (Oslo–Fagernes–Beitostølen) for NOR‑WAY Bussekspress.

• Established after the sale of Valdresekspressen to ensure continuity, quality and local anchoring.

• Owned by Olto Holding AS (50%) and brothers Magnus and Helge Kvame from Valdres.

Sources: NOR‑WAY Bussekspress, Langsveien, NRK