Rich cultural life
In Finnmark we have a lot of culture. And we have very varied culture.
Festivals
Any place with respect for itself has its own festival, from jazz to deep sea fishing. Among the biggest festivals is the Varanger Festival in Vadsø, the County Revue Festival in Lakselv, the Easter Festival in Kautokeino, the Alta soul and Blues Festival and the Deep Sea Fishing Festival in Loppa.
Read more about the different festivals here:
Music
People in Finnmark are fond of music and we like different kinds of music. Choir, band, locale heroes, professional musicians from Finnmark and a steady 
flow of national musicians touring our county. The County Authorities has their own producer of music (Music in Finnmark) that stands behind a lot of the arrangements - both rhythmic and classic music. Thanks to this producer we also have our own piano quartet that ever so often pleases a small, but enthusiastic audience all across the county. One of the county's characteristics concerns Sami music. Joik has a long tradition in Finnmark, and over the last few years more musicians have begun using it - and also experimenting with it. There is also a separate Sami Music producer (Sapmi Music).
The Student Week at the Finnmark University College is known as the place where new stars have visited.
Revue
Most people are familiar with the enthusiasm behind the different revues in Finnmark. It is said that people in Finnmark uses humour to survive in a society that sometimes has had poor prospect. Despite this the revues are more alive an kicking even now when Finnmark is doing great. In the county's 19 municipalities there are almost 40 different revues. And every October many of these revues come together in Lakselv to compete in the County Revue Championship.
Theatre
We also have professional theatres in Finnmark. The most famous of these would be the Sami Theatre Beaivvas from Kautokeino. In Kirkenes there is the Samovar theatre, in Vadsø The theatre factory, and in Hammerfest Stellaris Dance Theatre.
Film
Film is an area of investment in Finnmark.
Sports and outdoor activities
There is a large sport dommunity in Finnmark, both for adults and children. Our winter climate makes the county excellent for wintersports such as cross country skiing, snowboard and snow kiting. The dog sled race Finnmarksløpet is an annual event in March and is the world's northernmost dog sled race, 500 kilometres with up to 8 dogs or 1000 kilometres with up to 14 dogs in front of the sled. In Vardø in April they have the Nordic championship in snowball throwing - the Yukigassen. Several famous winter athletes come from Finnmark, such as the skier Kristin Størmer Steira from Tana and the Nordic combined skier Håvard Klemetsen from Kautokeino. Also in summer and indoor sports are people from Finnmark active. In the world of football Sigurd Rushfeldt and Morten Gamst Pedersen are the most famous persons from Finnmark. An overview over the different sports activities can be found with at the website of the Finnmark Idrettskrets.
Gallery
Juhls Silvergallery is in Kautokeino and is renowned for their silver juwelry inspired by our county. However, the gallery contains more than jewelry.
Cultural institutions and organisations
Culture as a business
Finnmark is a good example on how you may make a living from culture. With a big commitment to projects intended to make a living from culture, several small culture projects have been turned into running businesses. Examples of this are silver smith Anu Forselius in Varangerbotn, Arctic Glasstudio in Berlevåg, Nordlysmat in Alta and the worlds northernmost chocolate factory Northern Delights in Kviby.
Pictures
Top: From the Varanger festival in Vadsø. (Picture: Trond Magne Henriksen)
Middle: All girl punk band Cyaneed are predicted to do well. (Picture: Bjørn Erik Dahl)
Bottom: Cross country skiing is popular in Finnmark. (Picture: Trond Magne Henriksen)
