Gunnar Olavsson Helland

Gunnar Olavsson Helland (July 15, 1852 – 1938) was a Norwegian Hardanger fiddle (hardingfele) maker from Bø in Telemark, Norway.

[1] [2] Gunnar Olavsson Haugen was a brother-in-law of Knut Eriksson Helland who was married to his sister, Liv Olavsdatter Haugen (1849-1883).

Gunnar and Gunnhild were the parents of: Following his marriage to Gunnhild, Gunnar Olavsson Haugen re-located to Helland and shortly after began learning the art of making violins from his brother-in-law.

He became a successful violin maker, winning prizes and medals both in Norway and abroad.

He had the farm for 26 years and then bought a larger farm below Bø Church (Bø kyrkjelyd), now the site of the trade and research center Hellandtunet Forsknings og Næringssenter.