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WARDRUNA exclusively premiere new documentary ‘TRACKING BIRNA’ by in Tivoli, Utrecht

18-02-2026

On Wednesday evening, March 11, the documentary ‘Tracking Birna: From Earth to Light and Earth Again’ will premiere at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht (doors open at 7:30 PM; screening begins at 8:15 PM). This intriguing and fascinating film follows the Norwegian world music collective Wardruna on the final European tour of their ‘Birna’ album cycle. ‘Tracking Birna’ offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique and internationally successful Norwegian music projects of our time. Wardruna invites its audience not just to listen to music, but to experience it together—as a community, as a shared journey.


https://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda

The film travels to iconic locations such as the Royal Albert Hall in London, the ancient amphitheater of Pompeii, and the sacred grounds of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. It is a story of encounter, trust, and connection: about the band, its crew, and the relationships that have grown along the way. With exclusive interviews and intimate backstage footage, “Tracking Birna” reveals what makes Wardruna so unique. The documentary reveals their working methods, dedication, and deep connection with nature—the source of their musical inspiration. From their Norwegian home base, the story travels the world, ultimately returning to a new phase: a period of peace after years of movement. Wardruna combines traditional Nordic sounds and historical instruments with a contemporary, international force. Their music transcends borders and brings people from different cultures together. They reached millions of audiences with contributions to the TV series ‘Vikings’ and the game ‘Assassin’s Creed Valhalla,’ played sold-out concerts worldwide, and performed in unique locations, including the Acropolis in Athens.

Einar Selvik: “I have always been somewhat cautious to put Wardruna’s off-stage life on display—perhaps even protectively. What happens on stage has always been the main focus. At the same time, what takes place behind the scenes—the human bonds, the dynamics, the sense of family—is deeply reflected in our performances. We enter the stage as ourselves, yet that is only the visible part of Wardruna. Surrounding us is a large team of people, all playing crucial roles in making everything happen. Offering a glimpse into this world, and doing so with filmmakers who already have a natural place within our circle, felt absolutely right.”

Because of the longstanding relationship between TivoliVredenburg and Wardruna—who performed two sold-out shows in the Main Hall in November 2024—this exclusive premiere will take place in the intimate Club Nine (doors open at 7:30 PM) on a large screen with impressive sound. Expect an immersive audiovisual experience.

Tickets (€12, including service fees) for this unique seated event are limited and available via the website https://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/
Premiere: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Doors open at 7:30 PM
Start: 8:15 PM
Program: introduction, documentary screening, Q&A + giveaway
Expected end time: 10:15 PM (TBA)
Location: Club Nine at TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht

On January 24th 2025  Norwegian Nordic/dark folk/ambient band Wardruna released their new (sixth) studio album titled ‘Birna’ (Old Norse for “she-bear”) on CD, vinyl and digital via Norse Music (Sony Music). In his tireless dialogue with nature, frontman-composer Einar Selvik has been searching for the voice of the bear, for this king of the forest. The last video for ‘Hibjørnen’ was created by Ragnarok Film.

Watch ‘Hibjørnen’ below.

Einar Selvik comments: “The rhythm of the bear embodies the very circle of life: When winter approaches, it goes to sleep in its den – back to the womb; its pulse slowing, its body encapsulated in an intermediate death. Like a lullaby, “Hibjørnen” takes on the perspective of the hibernating bear and its dormant dreams from inside the den. The listener returns from the den of the bear more attuned, aware and contemplative of nature’s wonders, just in time for the freshly sprung buds.”

This cyclical nature of the bear, so embedded both in nature and the worldview of older cultures, drives Einar Selvik’s creative work.

Watch the previously released ‘Himinndotter’ below.

This album track is part of a six-track exploration of the bear. The title plays with the globally accepted idea of ​​the mythical origins of the bear as a heavenly being. ‘Himinndotter’ features a guest appearance by the Norwegian choir Koret Artemis. The video was filmed in Rondane National Park in Norway; once again is directed by Wardruna’s long-time collaborator Tuukka Koski; and was produced by Breakfast Helsinki and Ragnarok Film.

DVD/BLU-RAY RELEASE ‘LIVE AT THE ACROPOLIS’ ALSO ON FRIDAY 24 JANUARY 2025

Wardruna also announces today that on Friday 24 January 2025 the DVD/Blu-ray ‘Live at the Acropolis’ will be released: a stunning audiovisual recording of Wardruna’s unique equinox performance on 21 September 2023 at the world heritage site Odeon of Herodes Atticus – with the iconic Acropolis in Athens as a backdrop. The concert is the culmination of an intense period of a worldwide tour that concluded the ‘Kvitravn’ cycle in a remarkable way. The show lasts over two hours and features excellent live performances of songs from Wardruna’s entire oeuvre; with the full show, additional interviews, and the meet and greet at the Underflow Record Store in Athens, where hundreds of fans showed up the day after the show.

Tracklist:

  1. Kvitravn
  2. Skugge
  3. Solringen
  4. Heimta Thurs
  5. Kvit Hjort
  6. Raido
  7. Lyfjaberg
  8. Voluspá
  9. Tyr
  10. Isa
  11. Grá
  12. Runaljod
  13. Rotlaust Tre Fell
  14. Fehu
  15. Helvegen
  16. Snake Pit Poetry

WARDRUNA LIVE BENELUX 2024/2025

Tuesday 19 November: Cirque Royal, Brussels (BE) – SOLD OUT!

Saturday 23 November: TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht (NL) – almost sold out

Sunday 24 November: TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht (NL) – SOLD OUT!

More Benelux shows for 2025 will be announced soon.

The new album ‘Birna’ was written and recorded between 2021 and 2024, and is the follow-up to the band’s previous studio album ‘Kvitravn’ released in January 2021.

Selvik: “‘Birna’ functions as a quest and a calling for our lost sister of the forest. It is an ode to – and a hymn of praise for – the she-bear. A musical artwork dedicated to this guardian of the forest, the caretaker of nature and her battles here on earth. Driven out of her habitat by modern societies, she has entered a stage of permanent hibernation. As a result, the forest is gradually dying, longing for its pulse and heart – for its shepherd. ‘Birna’ calls for her return.”

Tracklist:

  1. Hertan
  2. Birna
  3. Ljos til Jord
  4. Dvaledraumar
  5. Jord til Ljos
  6. Himinndotter
  7. Hibjørnen
  8. Skuggehesten
  9. Tretale
  10. Lyfjaberg (released July 8th 2020)

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