Over Half a Million in Support to Make Fantasyfestival 2025 Even More Magical
Fantasyfestival 2025 in Esbjerg can look forward to an extra powerful magical boost. The festival has received half a million Danish kroner in support from foundations and sponsors, all of whom wish to strengthen the festival’s position as Europe’s capital of fantasy.
The funding makes it possible to expand the program, create new experiences, and give the audience a festival that both embraces widely and dares to delve deeply into this year’s theme: Villains.
From life on the Square to tales of villains
The received funds mean that this year the festival can fill the town square with even more music and magical atmosphere. Spar Nord Fonden has supported the initiative Life on the Square at Fantasyfestival 2025 with 248,000 DKK, which opens the way for a larger concert program and more activities in the heart of the city.
The Danish Arts Foundation contributes to the project The Fantasy Genre as a Mirror of Real-Life Villains, which will explore how fantasy’s dark figures can give us new perspectives on the world around us.
Esbjerg Fonden has granted 100,000 DKK, and Johan Hoffmann Fonden will support with 75,000 DKK each year for the next three years. Both donations are intended to strengthen the festival’s overall content and activities.
Among the sponsors are also Det Faglige Hus, E. Bank Lauridsen Holding, and Villemoes Holding.
Room for new ideas and magical moments
For project manager Stine Liberty Skovgaard, the support from foundations is crucial:
“It is fantastic that so many have recognized that the festival makes a difference – and we are incredibly grateful for that. The support means that we can create a festival that is even more vibrant, accessible, and magical. It gives us the opportunity to experiment with new formats and surprise the audience, without compromising on quality.”
Foundations with their hearts in culture
Johan Hoffmann Fonden has with interest followed the development that Fantasyfestival Esbjerg has undergone since its beginning more than ten years ago. On the background for the new three-year support, a total of 225,000 DKK, the foundation’s director, Erik Haldan, says:
“It has been fascinating to see how a good idea driven by just a few people has developed into a great asset for Esbjerg as a cultural city. We believe that the dedicated forces behind Fantasyfestival Esbjerg have the skills and ideas that can lift it to new heights. The festival is already a success of international class and interest, and it attracts an attractive audience. That is good, because we need imaginative and creative young people from all over the country to see Esbjerg as a city where there is room for imagination and creativity. We have chosen to support the festival because it benefits Esbjerg. And we believe it can grow into an even bigger and more important cultural event in the coming years,” says Erik Haldan.
Esbjerg Fonden also highlights the festival’s positive development:
“Esbjerg Fonden is pleased to support activities in Esbjerg that benefit and bring joy to the city’s many citizens and guests. We have seen Fantasyfestival develop very positively year by year with many exciting activities and great support from a steadily growing number of participants and guests around Esbjerg. Behind the festival there is also a large and respectful effort from many people in the city. Such an event the board of Esbjerg Fonden is pleased to support financially this year,” says chairman Brian Knudsen.
At Spar Nord Fonden, it is particularly the inclusive communities that spark enthusiasm:
“Fantasyfestival not only celebrates the fantasy genre, but also creates a community with room for everyone – from fantasy fans and role-players to the simply curious. The festival sparks imagination, strengthens togetherness, and nurtures interest in the genre – we are happy to support that,” says foundation director Bo Uggerhøj.
A boost for the whole city
With the many contributions, Fantasyfestival this year can present an even stronger program: the live-action adventure Fantasy Quest Esbjerg, a new cosplay competition, more magical concerts on the Square, international top authors, and countless experiences for both curious newcomers and experienced guardians of the fantasy realm.
Fantasyfestival takes place September 19–21, 2025 in Esbjerg.
