Rikke Øxner to Step Down as Director of Aarhus Festuge
August
5
The Danish cultural festival Aarhus Festuge will see a change in leadership this autumn, as Rikke Øxner steps down after ten years as director.
Øxner, who has led the festival since 2015, will oversee one final edition when this year’s event takes place from 29 August to 8 September. Her successor, Jakob Tekla Jørgensen, will formally assume the role on 1 October.
Prior to joining Aarhus Festuge, Øxner spent two decades at Roskilde Festival, where she played a central role in developing its programme and international profile.
Under Øxner’s leadership, Aarhus Festuge has maintained its reputation as one of Denmark’s leading multidisciplinary festivals, known for its innovative programming and strong local engagement.
Jørgensen brings with him a broad background in performing arts, including ten years as director of Teater Nordkraft in Aalborg, as well as roles at Kolding Egnsteater and Viborg Municipality. He holds a degree in philosophy and Nordic literature from Aarhus University.
Aarhus mayor Anders Winnerskjold, who chairs the festival’s board, praised Jørgensen’s appointment, calling him “a cultural entrepreneur” with “both a solid professional background and a deep understanding of Aarhus and the festival’s legacy.”
According to Aarhus Festuge, Jørgensen will spend the remainder of 2025 developing a new long-term vision for the festival.