Peace! is the theme of Førdefestivalen 2026
Things are not as they should be in the world. War, arms races and conflict are the new normal. We see increasing polarization and a hardening international climate of dialogue.
That's when we need to talk about peace.
“ When we now spend so much money on defense, bullets and gunpowder, we must also remember what it is we are defending. ”
Things are not as they should be in the world. War, arms races and conflict are the new normal. We see increasing polarization and a hardening international climate of dialogue. That is when we must talk about peace.
As Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery reminded us in her cultural speech this year: “When we now spend so much money on defense, bullets and gunpowder, we must also remember what it is we are defending.”
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that artistic freedom of expression is fundamental to maintaining a democratic society. Democracy is the foundation of peace. Culture does not make us immune to conflict, but it gives us a language to face conflict with, and a space where we can see each other as fellow players. Art reflects society and takes the pulse of what is happening. Art and music tell the story of a people. As long as the art and culture of a people exist, so do the people. It is about survival. Culture creates pride and identity, builds community and resilience. Then we have something to defend and fight for.
In a time when conversation is stifling and social cohesion is weakening, we need shared experiences that can disarm conflict and build trust. Music does just that: it binds us together across language, culture and political boundaries. Expressing ourselves musically is as fundamental as breathing. Music does not stop. Even if it is banned, even if the bombs rain. People do not stop singing, playing and dancing. When it is dark around us, we need a song to hum, or to sing together, to find strength and meaning.
“ The best weapon is to sit down and talk ”
Bringing people together
Outside the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo stands the Peace Bench. It is shaped like an arch so that those who sit on the bench are brought closer together. The bench is called “The Best Weapon” after a quote from peace prize winner Nelson Mandela: “The best weapon is to sit down and talk”. In Norwegian: “Det beste våpenet er å sitte ned og skanke saman”. In Førdefestivalsk: “Det beste våpenet er å sitte ned og spele saman”. Or to dance together, to sing together, to listen together. Førdefestivalen has always had the goal of being a meeting place for artists from all over the world. And not only that, by being such a meeting place, it also contributes to peace and understanding between people and nations.
Probably more than ever, we need spaces where different traditions, languages, and expressions can meet in respect and curiosity. Førdefestivalen welcomes musicians from all over the world, with cultures and expressions that are both similar and different from our own. The meeting between them does not just create music – it creates understanding, listening and community. It is peace in practice.
Even if there is no peace around us, music can create peace in people. If not always in the sense of "absence of war," then peace in mind, in body, in community - for those who live in a daily life of war.
It's time to focus on peace. To raise our voices for peace. And on the next Førdefestivalen We play for peace.
Sølvi Lien
director