Førdefestivalen – cultural diplomacy
- We need cultural diplomacy. On Førdefestivalen artists, the volunteers and the public get a role as bridge builders, said State Secretary Bjørgulv Borgundvaag when he opened Førdefestivalen tonight. Speaker at the opening concert Sigrid Moldestad said it differently, but the message was the same: The experiences that await in the festival program this year are like floating around the world on a cloud!
With the theme “ World ConneXions ”, cultural diplomacy is a necessary practice for success in many of this year’s new concerts. Across countries and cultures, dancers, singers, musicians meet. What can they create together? The audience got a taste of that tonight. –Fantastic! exclaimed director Hilde Bjørkum after the concert. –I am indescribably proud of our new productions!
The evening was full of such responses, both in the chatter among the thousands of spectators who strolled out into the summer night, and on social media: "The Folk Music Festival in Førde Impressive. Best opening concert ever. Congratulations Hilde, Torill, Sølvi, Lene, Ingebjørg and Fride!”
-Like floating around the world on a cloud. This is how moderator Sigrid Moldestad describes the interaction between Catrin Finch from Wales and Seckou Keita from West Africa during the sold-out opening concert in Førdehuset tonight. This is how the whole concert could be described. Maybe the whole festival?
This year's theme " World ConneXions "points to the core of Førdefestivalen its 26-year-long activity. By producing completely new interactions, the festival renews itself the year after the successful anniversary festival last year. With new success. Artistically, but also in terms of audience:
–All the concerts are selling very well and the sun is shining! beamed a satisfied and happy communications manager Torill Faleide on the warm summer night at the Jølstra Museum last night. Intimate concerts in the small rooms offered the audience close encounters with some of the same artists who were in the spectacular opening concert earlier in the evening, which reflects the great variety in the festival's programming.
Although this year's festival is in the starting blocks, some highlights have already passed. Wednesday evening the festival kicked off by inviting the dance company FRIKAR to their world premiere of the performance "Gotoguta". They performed again for a few minutes during the opening concert. Minutes that made the audience gasp! Then it's over, they land on their feet. Like this Førdefestivalen have done and will do this year too. But first it's time to fly – around the world on a cloud.