Jorvik Viking Centre to host online Viking festival in York with folk composer Einar Selvik

Ambitious plans are under way in York to host a major online Viking festival.

The event, called That JORVIK Viking Thing, will take place during the week starting February 15.

It will feature chart-topping music, livestreamed events for all ages, virtual tours and the first ever 360 degree immersive video of JORVIK Viking Centre’s ride through Viking-age York.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the annual JORVIK Viking Festival – the largest such event in Europe, according to Visit England – unable to take place during the pandemic, organisers from York Archaeological Trust have been working on creating the new online festival.

The festival will include the first ever 360 degree immersive video of JORVIK Viking Centre’s ride through Viking-age York.The festival will include the first ever 360 degree immersive video of JORVIK Viking Centre’s ride through Viking-age York.
The festival will include the first ever 360 degree immersive video of JORVIK Viking Centre’s ride through Viking-age York.

It is due to culminate with an evening with Einar Selvik, the Nordic folk composer and musician whose band, Wardruna, has a new album out called Kvitravn.

Festival creator Gareth Henry, who is also events manager for York Archaeological Trust, said: “For many people, the February half term is synonymous with Vikings as we’ve been hosting a festival for over 35 years, whether that be families drawn by the thrilling combat displays and spectacle of hundreds of Vikings marching through the city, or academics here for our annual Symposium, where the latest research from all over the world is presented by leaders in the field of Viking studies.

“We can’t replace the crowds, but we can offer several hours of Norse- themed fun, including our most ambitious livestreamed series of events, live from JORVIK Viking Centre, on the final day of the Thing – perfect preparation for the evening with Einar Selvik!”

The event goes live on at 10am on Monday February 15 and will remain accessible until midnight the following Sunday.

Related topics: