Electric at the Mingel party
Are you new to Haugalandet, or do you already live here and want to get to know new people? Then Mingel is here for you.
Haugaland Vekst’s monthly Mingel events have become a popular meeting place for anyone who likes to meet new people and get to know local businesses better.
– Godly atmosphere
– At Mingel, you meet nice people, there’s always a good atmosphere and good food,” says Hedda Solbakken.
She recently moved from Oslo to Haugalandet and has been working as a journalist at NRK’s local office in Haugesund since last autumn. On 3 April, she travelled to Mingel together with her friend Cecelie Sætre.
– “We met and got to know each other at a Mingel event a couple of months ago,” they smile.
Sætre is from Bømlo, and she works as a nurse at Helse Fonna’s neonatal intensive care unit at Haugesund Hospital.
– It was through my job that I was tipped off about Mingel, it’s a really nice initiative for those of us who are new here,” says Cecelie.
Birthday party
The April event marked the 2-year anniversary of Mingel, and this evening was hosted by Helgevold Elektro AS.
– Mingel for us in Helgevold is incredibly good. We meet people we wouldn’t normally meet otherwise, and in an arena where you can do cool things together and get to know each other better. We get applications based on this,” says Sales and Marketing Manager Benjamin Bjørgen of Helgevold Elektro AS.
Helgevold Elektro AS had chosen the art gallery Galleri Hantho in Haugesund as the venue for tonight’s Mingel. Around 50 people found their way to the cosy gallery, where free finger food and drinks were served – and of course chocolate cake on the occasion of Mingel’s second anniversary.
– “After two years of Mingel, we have lots of great stories about people enjoying it and meeting new people. I’m constantly seeing people who didn’t know each other before coming together at Mingel. I know of several dinner clubs and groups of friends that have started here. The feedback we get is that it works, that Mingel is a low-threshold offer where you can come alone and meet new acquaintances. This has an incredible impact on the individual and how much they enjoy themselves,” says Karianne Ellefsen of Haugaland Vekst.
Gallery owner Anita Saltnes Coury and Galleri Hantho employee Fredrik Bjørgen gave talks on selected artists, and also organised a small portrait competition where everyone was challenged to draw Mingel boss Karianne Ellefsen. And the attendees didn’t hesitate when blank sheets of paper and crayons were handed out. After the local jury had assessed all the entries, it was the duo Liana Ivanova and Beata Zawistowska who were crowned winners with a work they collaborated to complete.
Greetings to Mingel on its 2nd anniversary:
“Congratulations on the 2nd anniversary of Mingel! We have really appreciated this great offer for us young people in the city”
“Dear Mingel. Congratulations on your second birthday. It’s a pleasure to see the place you’ve taken in the city. Haugesund has become much richer and nicer with Mingel. Thank you very much.”
“Happy birthday! I think Mingel is absolutely fantastic. Every time I participate, I learn something new about Haugalandet and Haugesund. I hope we can celebrate many more years together in the future.”
“Hi, Mingel. It’s always good to be here. Especially for a guy like me who’s new in town. It’s nice to meet new people and get to know them.
Hello Mingel! Happy birthday to you! Thank you so much for everything you offer! You are absolutely amazing, stay as you are!
The next Mingel will take place on 14 May. It will be hosted by the municipality of Haugesund, while the Norwegian Maritime Authority will take over the baton on 4 June.
