Culture – a bridge builder and identity creator in the Barents Region
Strengthened cultural ties between the countries and regions in the Nordic Barents - that is the goal of the Working Group on Culture, WGC. On May 6-7, the Barents Cooperation Working Group on Culture met in Jokkmokk.
The cooperation within the WGC is based on a view of culture as a “bridge builder”. Culture has the potential to create understanding in a diverse society and shape a Barents identity. Region Norrbotten hosted the Jokkmokk meeting, which included discussions on priorities and the group’s new strategy.
The conversations covered issues such as:
- How can minorities be more represented and part of our work?
- How can we bring their voices to the fore about regional and national development in the Arctic?
- How do we share our knowledge?
- What does the future look like for regional, national and international co-financing of culture in the Nordic countries?
- Are we well coordinated, do we support each other's efforts, do we overlap, what are we missing in the contemporary cultural landscape?
- The exchange of experiences is important. It is always valuable to listen and learn from each other, says Kristina Nilsson, strategist at the cultural unit at Region Norrbotten.
From left: Christine Hemdal Sandling, Region Norrbotten, Hannele Autti, Regional Council of North Karelia and chair WGC, Robert Nilsson, Swedish Ministry of Culture and chair WGC, Lea Simma, indigenous representative, Pia Brinkfeldt, Region Västerbotten, Tomi Aho, Arts Promotion Center Finland, Rovaniemi, Maija Lummepuro, Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland, Janus Brandin, Region Norrbotten, Sverre Miøen, Ministry of Culture in Norway, Kjell Gunnar Nilsen-Moen, Nordland County Library, Norway, Kristina Nilsson, Region Norrbotten, Joakim Sandberg, Region Västerbotten
The participants came from the northern regions of Norway, Finland and Sweden, as well as the three countries' ministries of culture. They visited Jokkmokk's cultural institutions: Ájtte Mountain and Sami Museum, Tjállegoahte – Sápmi Writers' Centre, the Sami Library and the Sámi Duodji Sami Crafts Foundation.
Sami dance
Dancer, choreographer and Rubus Arcticus fellow Liv Aira participated to talk about the next cultural venue in Jokkmokk municipality: the world's first Sami dance center, Jillat, which is emerging in Vuollerim. WGC also got to see an excerpt from the dance performance that will be staged in Storforsen this summer.
Tomas Bokstad, Giron Sámi Teáhter, came to Jokkmokk to talk about the work to gain status as a Sámi national stage in Sweden. The participants also got to listen to music by Pavva Pittja.
Dancers Liv Aira, Jenny Schinkler, Sara Zurl, Linn Lindström and Marika Renhuvud, as well as circus artist Vejde Grind, gave the participants a taste of the dance performance that will be staged in Storforsen this summer.
Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director of Region Norrbotten, spoke about our responsibility for sustainable development in the Arctic for everyone who lives here, including the indigenous Sami and Tornedalingar, Kväner and Lantalaiset people. Norrbotten influences the Arctic through the high demand for natural resources, but also with its unique culture.
- Region Norrbotten is already an active part of the working group for culture but also wants to become active in other areas within the Barents cooperation, said Janus Brandin.
In September, the WGC will meet again in Bodö, where it will be possible to establish the group's new strategy and set the framework for the 2025 Barents Scholarship.
Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa
Photos: Katarina Israelsson