Call for green, vibrant and inclusive Nordic culture
Northern Network for Performing Arts is a regional network for performing arts professionals that has received funding from the Nordic-Baltic mobility programme for culture. The photograph features the Norwegian circus artist Emma Langmoen.
Culture has always played an critical role in Nordic co-operation. In fact, when the Nordic Council of Ministers was founded 50 years ago, cultural co-operation was the starting point for the process. In their new programme for 2021–2024, the ministers emphasise that culture will continue to play a crucial role.
“As chair of the Nordic cultural co-operation, I am happy and proud to launch a new programme for co-operation on cultural policy. Cultural co-operation is a key driver for the green transition. The new programme sets out the priorities for the Nordic Council of Ministers’ cultural sector over the next four years,” says Annika Saarikko, Finland’s Minister of Science and Culture and chair of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Culture in 2021.
Cultural co-operation is a key driving force for the green transition in the Nordic Region.
Strategic priorities
The programme calls for a green, competitive and socially sustainable Region, which is the core of the Council of Ministers’ vision of the Nordic Region being the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The work will be based on the following priorities and will align with the Council of Ministers’ overall vision, action plan and objectives:
- A green Nordic Region: Green cultural life ensures opportunities for a good life for current and future generations
- A competitive Nordic Region: Vigorous art and cultural life in and outside the Region contributes to green growth
- A socially sustainable Nordic Region: Inclusion in cultural life promotes democracy, diversity and quality of life
Media, art and culture must retain their freedom of expression. Co-operation on cultural policy is based on the arm’s length principle and always integrates a children’s rights and young people’s perspective, gender equality and sustainable development.
Culture plays a crucial role in Nordic co-operation and binds the people of the Region together across borders. We will strive to support and promote Nordic cultural life both in and outside the Region.
Equal opportunities for all
As part of the co-operation on culture and media, everybody must have equal opportunities to express themselves freely and participate actively in cultural life. Language and culture create understanding, trust and solidarity across borders. It is often through books, TV series and music that people of the Region first encounter the neighbouring countries.
“Culture plays a crucial role in Nordic co-operation and binds the people of the Region together across borders. We will strive to support and promote Nordic cultural life both in and outside the Region,” Saarikko concludes.
The programme will boost development, co-operation and the sense of Nordic affinity in the cultural sector across the Region. The ambition is to bring cultural heritage to life and promote inclusive and innovative art and culture that profiles the Nordic Region as sustainable, competitive and attractive.
The new digital publication is illustrated with photos, text extracts and illustrations from a number of different Nordic artists, authors and projects.