DANTE ALIGHIERI COMMITTEE OF STAVANGER -
ITALIENSK KULTURFORENING I STAVANGER
(DANTE-IKIS)
Friend of Via Querinissima
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The Dante Alighieri Committee of Stavanger – Italiensk Kulturforening i Stavanger (Dante-IKiS) aims to be a vibrant and welcoming cultural hub in the Stavanger region, open to people of all nationalities. Its mission is to foster friendships, encourage dialogue, and promote understanding of Italian and Norwegian history, society, language, and culture.
Founded in 2006 and officially registered in April 2007 (Brønnøysund Registeret), the Dante-IKiS association has grown steadily over the years. Its activities now include regional and cultural events, social gatherings such as hiking trips, language exchange sessions, film nights, and the annual highlight in December, a festive Italian-style Christmas party for families.
Stavanger received city status in 1125, but the area has been inhabited for many thousands of years. In 2025, the city celebrates its 900th anniversary.
It was here that Harald Hårfagre united Norway into a kingdom during the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872. In Hafrsfjord, you can see the monument of the Swords in rock, which provides our association with another link to Italy—even though the artist was Norwegian. The sculptor, Fritz Røed, grew up in Bryne, near Stavanger, and found his dream home in Liguria, Italy, in the town of Villa Faraldi, where he is also buried. In 2004, the Skulpturparken opened in the center of Bryne, which now houses eleven of Fritz Røed’s sculptures. Last but not least, our association’s logo is also inspired by the Swords in rock.
Stavanger municipality has around 150 000 inhabitants (2024 figures). Over 80 000 people live in the neighboring town of Sandnes. The two towns have grown together and over 240,000 people are living here.
The region is a hotspot for resource-based industries including energy, aquaculture, and agriculture. Coupled with a highly educated workforce, excellent infrastructure, and capabilities within engineering and IT, the region provides an innovative setting for start-ups.