First programme launch for Nordic Bridges

The year-long cultural venture initiated by the Nordic ministers for culture and led by Harbourfront Centre in Toronto – one of Canada’s leading arts and culture institutions – will engage artists and cultural stakeholders from all the Nordic countries. 

Nordic Bridges is the largest ever international Nordic cultural venture, in that it will take place across ten locations and involve nearly 20 partners from around Canada from January to December of 2022. The venture has been delayed for an entire year due to the pandemic, so the ministers for culture are eagerly anticipating the launch.

“We’ve been looking forward to Nordic Bridges and are very pleased to see how the ambitions of Harbourfront Centre are coming to life through an extensive and engaging programme, involving not only a broad range of exciting Nordic and Canadian artists, but also strong programming partners throughout Canada. Nordic Bridges comes at a time when international exchanges are most needed and the initiative’s emphasis on collaboration lays the foundations for long-lasting connections between the Nordic Region and Canada. It’s also an excellent platform for highlighting the important role of art and culture in sustainable development,” says Antti Kurvinen, Finland’s Minister of Science and Culture and chair of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Culture 2021.

The artistic programme is based on four key programme pillars: artistic innovation, accessibility and inclusion, indigenous perspectives, as well as resilience and sustainability. The programme is curated by Canadian partners and includes performing arts such as dance, theatre and music, visual and digital arts, crafts and design, as well as literature and film. 
 

Nordic artists will collaborate and perform with Canadian artists at established festivals such as the Toronto International Film Festival, new start-up festivals, recognised art institutions such as Canada’s National Arts Centre in Ottawa, independent theatres, galleries, and various events across the country.

Choreographer Alan Lucien Øyen, director Amanda Kernell, composer Ingi Garðar Erlendsson, artist Randi Samsonsen, designers such as Liss Stender and Teemu Salonen, singer-songwriter Julia Clara, and director Lone Scherfig are some of the Nordic artists confirmed to be participating in the programme.
 

The first programme launch provides a taste of what will happen during the unique cultural initiative that aims to promote interaction and exchange between Nordic cultural stakeholders and Canada.  

“We believe that Nordic Bridges is a way to bring people back together, not only by building bridges with our Nordic collaborators, but by once again gathering to share in art, conversation and community.” says Marah Braye, CEO of Harbourfront Centre, who continues:

“These presentations and commissions across the country will generate dialogue between Canada and the Nordic Region on culture’s role in the creation and promotion of sustainable societies and increasing awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, most specifically, the environment, inclusivity, and accessibility.”

In addition to arts and culture, Nordic Bridges includes the new Nordic-Canadian Fellowship in Environmental Journalism for emerging writers, and a year-long series of Nordic Talks, which is a platform for dialogue that connects Nordic and Canadian artists, thinkers, youth leaders, innovators and policy-makers.

The list of events, artists and acts will be updated continuously throughout 2022. Keep up to date by following #NordicBridges on social media.

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