Tabita Berglund Awarded the Telenor Culture Prize 2026

“I am very grateful to receive the Telenor Culture Prize. The award is a great encouragement and confirmation that I am on the right path. Over the years, I have been given many opportunities to develop as a musician and conductor, and I see this prize as a recognition of all the people and environments that have been part of that journey,” says Tabita Berglund.

Tabita Berglund (b. 1989) grew up in Trondheim and has, in just a few years, established herself as one of the most sought-after conductors of her generation. Before stepping onto the conductor’s podium, she was a cellist and performed with, among others, the Trondheim Soloists. Following conducting studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music, she has conducted leading orchestras across Europe and North America and is currently the Principal Guest Conductor of both the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Dresdner Philharmonie.

Earlier this year, she was appointed incoming Chief Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. When she takes up the position in 2027, she will become the first Norwegian female Chief Conductor of one of Norway’s major orchestras, and the first Norwegian Chief Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in more than 40 years.

“The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra holds a special place in the hearts of many people in Bergen, me included. The fact that Tabita Berglund will become the first Norwegian female Chief Conductor of a Norwegian orchestra marks an important new chapter in Norwegian musical life. At the same time, she has established herself as one of the most exciting conductors of her generation,” says Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer, President and CEO of Telenor.

The Telenor Culture Prize – Boundless Communication – has been awarded since 1995 to Nordic artists who have distinguished themselves in music, literature, performing arts, film and visual arts. The prize is worth NOK 500,000 and aims to inspire cultural innovation and communication across borders. This year’s prize will be presented to Tabita Berglund in Oslo on Tuesday evening.

“One of the most impressive aspects of Tabita Berglund is the way she practises leadership. She demonstrates how clear direction can be combined with trust, curiosity and the ability to help others succeed. These are qualities that build strong communities, whether in an orchestra or in an organisation,” says Fasmer.

Berglund has deep roots in Norwegian music education and orchestral life, while also establishing herself on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. The jury highlights how she represents a new force in Norwegian musical life, with an artistic practice that is both locally rooted and internationally oriented.

“When we set out to describe Tabita Berglund, one word kept returning: listening. She represents a form of artistic leadership that is about bringing people together through music, encouraging them to listen to one another and creating something greater than the sum of its parts,” says Martin Revheim, Head of the Jury.

The jury highlights Berglund’s ability to build trust and a sense of community, both in her work with musicians and with audiences. She is described as a conductor whose authority opens rather than closes, and who combines strength with sensitivity, precision with warmth. Through her artistry, she demonstrates how classical music can be both rooted in tradition and innovative at the same time.

“Tabita Berglund makes great works feel new, not because she breaks with tradition, but because she enables us to hear the music afresh. She shows us that classical music is not a museum, but a living language of beauty, community and human experience. At a time when so much competes for our attention, she reminds us of the value of gathering in a room simply to listen. That is a rare quality,” concludes Revheim.

The jury for the 2026 Telenor Culture Prize consists of Martin Revheim, Head of the Jury and Project Manager at Ferd; Lars Saabye Christensen, author; Ingrid Lorentzen, Artistic Director of the Norwegian National Ballet; Henrik Mestad, actor; Alexandra Archetti Stølen, Festival Director of Oslo World; and Randi Winnem Due, Head of Event & Expo at Telenor Group.

The Telenor Culture Prize – Boundless Communication – is a central element of Telenor’s cultural programme. The programme aims to bring together artists from different genres and cultures, while highlighting cultural expressions that contribute to diversity, engagement and unique meeting places. You can read more about Telenor’s cultural programme and previous recipients of the Telenor Culture Prize at telenor.com.