We are the thousands who play

Text Janne Karin Støylen | Photo Heidi Hattestein

Europe is facing a refugee disaster whose scope is difficult to grasp. How do we meet the thousands who are sailing towards the hope of survival? Best by seeing them as fellow human beings, with names, ages and inalienable value. As an audience at Førdefestivalen It is impossible to defend oneself against this insight, that we must meet our fellow human beings like this. Perhaps especially in the theater hall during the Talent concert.

Throughout history, people have wandered in the hope of a better life. It can be compared to the earth's blood circulation, and wandering has a history as long as humans themselves. On a smaller scale, the talent project can be compared to Førdefestivalen its blood circulation. Almost as long as the festival has existed, the National Concerts and Førdefestivalen Collaborated to bring young musicians from all over the world. New music is created, new friendships are made.

- In a time when we can once again see tendencies towards forces pushing girls away and behind, controlling and suppressing them, I am very proud that Førdefestivalen this year, among others, has brought two girls here. Two instrumentalists from a country where expressing yourself as a woman is more than challenging. This is how moderator Sigrid Moldestad introduced the two Iranian performers Afarin Nazari and Golnoush Salehi during the opening concert at this summer's Førdefestival. Freemuse ambassador and artistic director of the talent project, Mahsa Vahdat, had brought the two girls to Norway from their home country of Iran, together with singer Firoozeh Raeesdana. Mahsa Vahdat knows all too well the challenges Sigrid Moldestad is referring to. Last year she was among the stars at Førdefestivalen This year she was back, behind the scenes. To bring new women forward.

Forces that want to push girls away and behind. Stifle free speech, song, dance. Deny the individual the opportunity to live a free life for the best for themselves and their loved ones. What do we have to do against such evil?

Together with Harutyun Chqolyan, Monica Nazaryan, and Albert Ordinyan from Armenia and Malin Victoria Alander, Hans P. Kjorstad and Selma French Bolstad from Norway, the three Iranian girls created a thought-provoking and poetic response to this during this year's talent concert in the theater hall. Behind bright screens, the musicians came towards us as shadows. Without nationality, skin color and culture. Only as people. And musicians. So many filters were gone, we had to accept without hesitation. Then they stepped forward before us with faces, names and ages. Instruments and costumes. Now we could see them. As representatives of their tradition, as representatives of the thousands who play. But also as world citizens to whom human rights should apply. Such cultural experiences give the audience insights that it is not possible to defend themselves against. And thus a responsibility that it is not possible to avoid taking.

Talent 2015 at Førdefestivalen
From Iran: Afarin Nazari (ghanoon), Firoozeh Raeesdana (vocals) and Golnoush Salehi (tar).
From Armenia: The Harutyun Chqolyan Trio with Harutyun Chqolyan (duduk), Monica Nazaryan (vocals), and Albert Ordinyan (dhol)
From Norway: Malin Victoria Alander (vocals) from Sandane, Hans P. Kjorstad (fiddle) from Sør-Fron and Selma French Bolstad (fiddle) from Ås. Musical directors: Andreas Skeie Ljones and Mahsa Vahdat