Nordic Bridges cultural initiative postponed to 2022

25.06.20 | News
Story Story Die, Nordic Bridges
Photographer
Mats Bäcker

Story Story Die by Norwegian choreographer Alan Lucien Øyen

The global impact of COVID-19 has prompted the ministers for culture to postpone Nordic Bridges in Canada by one year. It is now scheduled to start in January 2022. This decision will enable the partners to fully leverage the potential of this ambitious programme, which aims to strengthen exchanges and collaborations between Nordic cultural practitioners and Canadian partners, while giving a broad Canadian audience the chance to engage in art and culture from across the Nordic Region.

Nordic Bridges in Canada was scheduled to take place from January to December 2021. The decision to postpone the event for one year was made following a formal request from Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, which is running the initiative on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Joy Mogensen, Denmark’s Minister for Culture and chair of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Culture says:

“Nordic Bridges will be a hub for Nordic culture and build bridges between the Nordic Region and Canada. For this to work at its best, people need to be able to come together to enjoy the art and culture on offer without restrictions. Consequently, we have decided to postpone this Nordic cultural initiative until 2022.

We’re really looking forward to the development of Nordic Bridges into a unique opportunity for Nordic artists to engage with their art throughout Canada in a rewarding collaboration between Nordic and Canadian cultural practitioners.”

Nordic Bridges to commence in January 2022

Nordic Bridges is a unique cultural initiative that seeks to promote interaction and exchanges between Canada and cultural sectors in the Nordic countries.  The artistic programme that will be presented is based on four core principles: artistic innovation, accessibility and inclusion, indigenous perspectives, and resilience.

The initiative involves a variety of partners from right across Canada, Nordic artists and cultural practitioners in a wide range of disciplines, as well as the Nordic embassies in Canada. Every effort is now being put into bringing the programme to fruition in 2022.

“Harbourfront Centre has had to adapt to current realities along with everyone else, and we are optimistic that Canadian arts and cultural establishments will be in a stronger position by 2022 to once again welcome international artists and guests. More than ever, there is a need and desire among Canadian and Nordic partners and artists to explore and celebrate shared cultural values from the northern latitudes, such as democracy, gender equality and freedom of speech,” says Marah Braye, CEO, Harbourfront Centre.

What happens now?

Harbourfront Centre is continuing its work with Nordic and Canadian partners to bring the year-long festival to fruition with a programme that accommodates artistically innovative elements that can give rise to dialogue on topics such as sustainability and inclusion. The countdown will start in January 2021.

About Nordic cultural initiatives

Nordic Bridges is the third joint Nordic cultural initiative by the ministers for culture. Previous initiatives – Nordic Matters in London and Nordic Cool in Washington – served as ideal opportunities to increase creative collaboration between different countries and to boost interest in Nordic culture.