Sigrid Moldestad: In the great silent universe
Ever since I started playing music, the meeting has been important. The discovery that folk music had such social bonuses, both locally and internationally, has been the fuel in my fiddler's heart ever since.
Music makes us ageless because it binds us together across all boundaries. I felt it as a little girl in the meeting with the fiddler group. In the trio my friend and I had with old Sigvald when we were 13 years old. In war-torn Lebanon as a 16-year-old with a fiddle in our hand and bunad silver under our flintlock vest. Soldiers with homesick and interested locals recognized themselves in our tones. Music says what words cannot and creates new films in the one who receives it. Created by something recognizable,
but mixed with new associations and stopping points. Without a receiver, the music itself is quite silent. “What value does it have if I have no one to give it to?” wrote the poet Jan-Magnus Bruheim. We know what it feels like, the safe, welcoming feeling of belonging.
I fall in love easily. With music and musicians. Not in a romantic way, but I often compare the feeling; to be overwhelmed by hearing someone who is good, to be able to mix my notes with someone else's. The intimate conversation of notes. Madness and joy. I have had many crushes on Førdefestivalen . That's why I've spent countless festival nights at Sunnfjord Hotel. Together with new friends, I've raced from the lobby via the bar and library to crowded hotel rooms to play and listen. Like 24-hour flight attendants who have to live right now. We know that tomorrow it could be over. Then everyone goes their separate ways. – I hereby apologize to the frustrated night shifters we've irritated on our way looking for the optimal jam. And I'm glad that this year's festival has made such
meetings on this year's theme.
"Connexions" has actually always been our theme, I think. Because when the world comes to Førde , then the world becomes more interconnected: The musicians swarm. The audience shares magical moments. The volunteers feel community. Before meets now and folk music feels important! Important for big words like respect, understanding, peace & love. It is a great honor for me to be asked to lead the audience and viewers through the Opening Concert 2015. It always feels like coming home to be here. I look forward to new meetings. Find yourself a musical flirt you too and feel the community in being human on the little blue musical planet in the big silent universe.
Happy Festival!
Sigrid Moldestad has written this greeting for this year's festival magazine.