Culture Is Evicted From the High North, but Not Even Soldiers Can Live on Bread Alone Comment: I don't know how many ministers and politicians I have heard speaking fondly about the significance of culture for the High North. I just know there have been many. From now on, however, we will be free of that fuss.
Norway's Government Cuts Culture as Part of the High North Strategy In the national budget for 2025, the Norwegian government proposes a cut of NOK 4 million in funds for cultural cooperation in the High North. "Defense policy is not the only thing that must be pursued in the North," replies major cultural institutions in Northern Norway.
A Northern Gateway to the Charm and Gravity of Life For this year's Arctic Arts Festival exhibition, the curatorial collective Pikene på Broen and various artists offer interesting perspectives on the good life in the north. Shoulders are lowered, senses are engaged – and Finnish gallows humor incites smiles all around.
A Northern Gateway to the Charm and Gravity of Life For this year's Arctic Arts Festival exhibition, the curatorial collective Pikene på Broen and various artists offer interesting perspectives on the good life in the north. Shoulders are lowered, senses are engaged – and Finnish gallows humor incites smiles all around.
A Northern Gateway to the Charm and Gravity of Life For this year's Arctic Arts Festival exhibition, the curatorial collective Pikene på Broen and various artists offer interesting perspectives on the good life in the north. Shoulders are lowered, senses are engaged – and Finnish gallows humor incites smiles all around.
A Tour of Eradicated Russian Protest Art The center of the border town Kirkenes in Northern Norway has been transformed into a gallery of protest art originating from Russian streets. With their war and regime criticism, the original works were quickly removed by the Russian authorities, but live on digitally through the app of the art group Yav.
The Thorvald Stoltenberg Award to Pikene på Broen and the Samovar Theater Kirkenes: Pikene på Broen and the Samovar Theater have received an honorary award for their years-long efforts to involve artists from the entire Barents region and convey its shared history. "Despite the current demanding situation, the actors are able to contribute to contact and tolerance between neighboring countries in the region," the jury states.
Powerful Opening of Barents Spektakel, One Year After the Invasion Kirkenes: Last Friday, in the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes, there was strong advocacy for Ukrainian freedom and for art as a point of contact with Russian regime and war opponents. Within this contact lies a vital fight against dehumanization and therefore against authoritarian Russia, says Director of the Fritt Ord foundation.
Barents Spektakel Raises Questions of Doubt and Trust Today – exactly one year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and breach of trust – Barents Spektakel commences in the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes. With the help of art productions, concerts, and debates, the festival will address difficult questions of trust and border-crossing cooperation in the North.
Norwegian Russia Diplomats: The Barents Cooperation Has Not Been In Vain The Barents cooperation has turned 30 years. This interaction – especially the people-to-people dimension – has created a less tense and more constructive neighborship in the High North and this is not zeroed out because of the Ukraine War, believes veterans of the Norwegian MFA.
After 30 Years, the Barents Cooperation Faces an Uncertain Future On Wednesday, three decades of cooperation in the Barents region will be marked in Kirkenes, on the border to Russia. The history and future of this distinctive cooperation format in the High North – which is on shaky ground due to the Ukraine war – will be illuminated from different angles.
Keeps the "Bridge of Art" over the Russian Border Open Astrid Fadnes and her colleagues in Pikene på Broen continues the interaction with independent artists in Russia. "This connection through art provides hope on both sides. Both for individuals and for the future," she says.
