Colorful community in Førde
A multitude of people, mostly young, from many countries met those who entered the open doors of Førdehuset last Saturday. The Great Hall was decorated for a party – for Borna's World Day. Førde . But we were in tears. We were supposed to celebrate peaceful coexistence and an enriching cultural encounter. Yesterday's horrific terror against such values was a painful backdrop.
-Olè! It's a very important word that you need to know when you're going to dance flamenco, explains flamenco instructor Bellali Austria. A dozen or so little dancers listen intently. -What do you think it means? -Maybe hello? suggests a little girl. -That was almost right! beams the instructor. -What's your name? -Liv, the little girl replies. -Liv. You're very good!
The beautiful flamenco dancer continues to tell an exciting fairy tale that she illustrates with graceful movements and a determined rhythm through clapping and stomping. Her long, black hair falls in waves down the back of her dress. Maybe she is the princess in the fairy tale? The sound of Spanish heels against the parquet on the stage in the main hall is soon followed by other sounds; Cherroxes, boots and slippers rhythmically walk across the floor, flamenco is no business for little pre-teens, the atmosphere behind the stage is filled with joy and pride.
-Children's Day Førde is an international family festival that gives children and their families sensory experiences from all over the world, says producer Ingebjørg Nomeland. -We use many local forces, which means that everyone who lives in Førde and the surrounding area get the opportunity to see what riches people from other cultures bring here. It can be dance, songs, instruments or written language. Especially the fact that the children get to show their classmates and kindergarten friends a taste of their own culture, becomes a bridge builder between different nationalities and backgrounds, Ingebjørg continues.
More than 2,300 people stopped by Førdehuset this day. For everything from a fiddle workshop with master fiddler Sigmund Eikås to capoeira with Mestre Maclau and Ellen Ribeiro. To a fairy tale cave, colorful café, song sessions, joik and more.
- But the most beautiful moment was perhaps during the last performance on the world stage in the main hall, smiles Ingebjørg. – Hassan played the oud, and got the audience to join in with rhythmic stomping. Suddenly, two members of the audience stood up in the hall and started dancing. Completely impulsively. People laughed and clapped, now also in time with those who were dancing. That's exactly how I want musical gatherings to be. That everyone can show off and share their joy in music, in their own way, concludes Ingebjørg Nomeland.
When I go out into the rain this afternoon, I meet one of the two who are dancing. He is standing in the doorway on his way out, he too. He pulls a big scarf around his neck and pulls the zipper up tight. He braces himself against the cold. I want to ask him his name and where he comes from. What is the name of the dance he showed us, where did he learn it? But I content myself with raising my gaze cautiously and smiling at him: - You were so good at dancing! - Thank you very much, he replies in broken Norwegian. I think he has more on his mind, but no more words. It doesn't matter. It's those warm, dark eyes that smile back that I want to remember.
Then I lean my neck against the autumn rain and stroll towards the car. With a myriad of memories from the day on my retina. And I hear myself humming a song. "Song of Peace" by Odd Nordstoga:
It's a quarter of a minute,
good luck
To move its front further forward.
Just as it is, you can take it,
that the world is both bright and gentle
It's daylight when she passes by.
Text: Janne Karin Støylen/ Førdefestivalen