With the financial support of the European Economic Area (hereinafter – EEA) Fund for Bilateral relations, bilateral relations between Latvia and Norway have been strengthened, as from June 20-23, 2024, representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the “Liepāja 2027” foundation went on an experience exchange visit to Bodø, Norway.
The purpose of the trip was to gain experience in Bodø as the European Capital of Culture 2024 in creating the content of the cultural program, promoting community involvement and cohesion. Taking into account that the Ministry of Culture has committed to cooperate and support the state city of Liepaja and the foundation “Liepaja 2027” in the preparation and implementation of the European Capital of Culture 2027 project, a meeting was held with representatives of the Bodø 2024 (European Capital of Culture) team, organizers of the “Midsummer Madness” event and attending this event, as well as viewing the exhibition of the Sámi Museum, so that the knowledge gained in the experience exchange visit would help to create the 2027 cultural program for the events of the Liepaja as Capital of Culture in 2027 and elsewhere.
Photos from the meeting with the creators of the “Midsummer Madness” event
During the visit, representatives of the Bodø 2024 team shared their experience on how to create inclusive events in cooperation with local communities. Also, the creators of the “Midsummer Madness” event – the creative team of the British company “Walk the Plank” talked about the involvement of the local community in Bodø both in the creation of the theme of the “Midsummer Madness” event and in the implementation of the event, as well as the connection of the story of the performance directly with Bodø, etc., because in their events it’s important for them to involve the local community, which participates in the planning and implementation of events. It was possible to see final result – “Midsummer Madness” event in the next day. The event gathered a lot of spectators and was attended by young people, families and others.
Photo from the event “Midsummer Madness”
The coordinator of the youth program in Bodø 2024 – “yoUNG2024” presented the program what is created specifically for young people in order to involve them in the creation of cultural content and provide them with the necessary knowledge and support, which could give them a greater sense of belonging to this community and reduce the outflow of young people after studies to other Norwegian cities. As part of the program, since 2023, 77 projects for young people in Bodø and Nordland region have been supported for a total amount of 4 million Norwegian kroner. So far, projects have been submitted by individual young people, youth clubs, and music groups, and they had to meet the condition that the project’s events must be created by young people, or if the events are created by adults, many young people must be involved in their implementation. It was the young people who decided which projects to support.
Photo from the meeting with the coordinator of the youth program “yoUNG2024″ in Bodø 2024
The Chief Curator of the Sami Museum talked about the recent reconstruction of the museum, which has made it a much more interesting place to visit for the public and guests, and also introduced the recently opened museum exposition on Sami culture, household items and handicrafts. (The Sámi Museum is located in the premises of Bodø City Museum, which has temporarily changed its name to Sámi Museum/Bådåddjo/Buvvda Musea, as well as changed the museum’s exposition and this project is part of Bodø 2024 as the European Capital of Culture.)
Photos from the Sami Museum exposition
The experience gained in this experience exchange visit and the contacts established will help to shape the cultural program for the events of Liepāja as the European Capital of Culture in 2027 and elsewhere, thinking about the promotion of public involvement and cohesion.
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