APPLICATION | EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2024 - Bodø kommune
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AP P L I CAT I O N | E UROPE A N CA P I TA L OF CULTURE 2 0 24
INTRODUCTION
– G E N E R A L C O N S I D E R AT I O N S
2
I N T R O D U CT I O N – G E N E R A L C O N S I D E R AT I O N
Q1
Photo: Gøran Kristensen
Why does your city wish to take part in
the competition for the title of European
Capital of Culture?
I
t’s time for Bodø’s cultural Arcticulation and This huge threat could overwhelm us. But we
to truly open our doors to Europe. Time to prefer to see the possibilities. By moving the
challenge the notion that this is simply a cold airport one kilometer to the south, we can
region, far from civilisation. Only coming alive transform todays military area to a new city
for a couple of months a year when we frolic in quarter, connected to the rest of the city. It
the midnight sun, until we descend once again brings the possibility to create one of the most
into winter darkness and cold. sophisticated and culturally smart cities in
Europe – here at 67 degrees North!
In 2024 we want to articulate how and why
people have settled in our region for thousands And we are in dire need for it. We are losing
of years. That it’s because of – not in spite of – our people. Especially the 25 to 45 year olds
how nature and the climate make Nordland an leave and most don’t come back. Our region
abundant land. suffers from the rural exodus which seriously
challenges regions like ours across Europe.
It’s time to once again take ownership of our Within the region, the population is ageing and
spaces and our landscape. Since the 1950s especially younger people are moving away
Bodø has prospered as a military town, being from the countryside into the urban centres.
Norway’s chief military airbase. But a decision We have the jobs, but we are not attracting
by our Parliament to move the aircraft fleet enough people to make up for the brain drain.
means that our airbase will close, taking with Population growth in Northern Norway will be
it jobs and much city income. only half of the national average over the next
25 years if nothing is done. This is a genuine and connected communities, offers solutions
crisis in our region. built on rebalanced relations between economy
and ecology.
Part of our challenge is to end the stereotypical
Arctic “Orientalism”. This tendency to objectify The title European Capital of Culture in 2024
places like ours and lock us in a status of would help cement Bodø’s transition from
interesting inferiority… How many Europeans Cold War target to a vibrant, forward thinking
really know what “Arctic” means and what cultural hub as an attractive career choice for
culture is connected to it? Here’s a chance to young people. Realization of our vision will see
change this. Bodø as a recognized European cultural city
in the Arctic, one which will attract people to
Because Bodø is an Arctic city. And we want to come, and which encourages people to stay and
be the first ever Arctic city to hold the title. To build a life here.
show Europe that our under-recognised region
is culturally vibrant and resilient. Just now we feel it’s the right time to share
with Europe some of our Arctic values. Values
To share our incredible stories. Our lasting of resilience, fortitude and ingenuity. The
influence on European culture in the past, values which enabled us to thrive because, not
producing some of the most spectacular art and despite of, the challenges nature and culture
literature of medieval Europe. The little-known are handing us to solve. Us in Nordland and all
story of how much current Europe, the World of us in Europe and beyond.
even, owes this City for its role at the height
of the Cold War in 1962. And our vision for a Bodø is ready to transition from Arctic to
future Europe where our values of sustainable ARCTICulation, from cold to cool.
3
Q2
Does your city plan to involve its
surrounding area? Explain this choice.
B
odø will involve the County of Nordland Decentralisation has been a key driver of our
which includes 9 regional centres in our cultural tradition. And today it offers a huge
Application. Our partner cities and their opportunity to drive positive strategic change.
cultural centres enable us to present a full As important as the plans to create a major
spectrum of our region’s culture. new cultural centre in Bodø were, as important
are plans to capacity build and connect smaller
Bodø will fulfil the role as the “Lead City” in the institutions. Rich, alive, living culture is if
Application, but other centres like Brønnøysund, anything more important to less populated
Mosjøen, Sandnessjøen, the Islands of Lofoten, regions like ours than to larger cities. Without
Mo i Rana, Fauske, Narvik, Svolvær, Leknes them we will continue with the struggle to
and Sortland will be included in the 2024 vision attract people to work here or to retain the
and programme. This is because the region and people we have. Keeping culture alive keeps
city are “culturally interwoven”. our industries alive.
In addition, we will have cultural cooperation We also believe that decentralized thinking for
agreements with cities, cultural institutions regions like us is an important alternative in the
and larger festivals in northern Norway, face of today’s frequent economic and cultural
including Tromsø, Harstad and Alta. We will domination by larger cities. That’s why we
see a year as European Capital of Culture as believe our Application offers something really
an opportunity to look north-east, to further important to Europe. For regions like ours –
develop our bonds with the northernmost parts geographically spread and with a relatively
of Norway and the rest of Barents region. small population.
We will use the geography of Bodø and works. One which builds on the fundamentals
Nordland to explore the big challenges regions of a decentralised democracy, cultivated and
like ours face, but also try to share positive developed over the years by the people of
ideas. From 2025 – 2045 we know we need a Nordland. But reinterpreted for the challenges
completely new approach to how our society of Europe today.
Q3
Explain briefly the overall cultural
profile of your city.
S
ince people set foot in this area some cultural competence. The need to strengthen
10.000 years ago, they have restructured the cultural infrastructure at regional level is a
and adapted their way of living in response key strategic goal.
to the change of times. Most importantly,
people here have shaped a cultural system THE BIRTH OF BODØ
which has been absolutely central to our ability There are a very special set of democratic
to survive and thrive in a region which some circumstances which underpin the cultural
would find forbidding and inhospitable. For development of Bodø and Nordland. Norway’s
the people of Nordland, distance is no object – first modern constitution did not arrive until
the next city may be hours drive away, but the 1814. It was based on utopian ideas from
region is still connected due to willed politics the French Revolution and the American
4 of spreading important institutions all over the declaration of independence, and on those of
county, expecting the institutions to seek their philosophers such as Kant, Locke, Jon Stuart
audience, and not the other way around. Mill and Adam Smith. Overnight these ideas
I N T R O D U CT I O N – G E N E R A L C O N S I D E R AT I O N
changed Norway and from being a province in
CULTURAL ASSETS AND CHALLENGES one of Europe’s least liberal states, Norway
In recent years, and especially with the advent became arguably Europe’s freest and most
of the highly significant Stormen cultural democratic constitution.
centre (new City library and concert hall) the
citizens of Bodø have seen a new “cultural The impact on our Region was no less dramatic.
heart” put back into the centre of their city. The establishment of the town of Bodø was part
Still, a good deal of work remains to be done. of what was effectively a regional strategy for
Bodø and Nordland do not offer a complete Norway’s peripheral regions. In essence, this
cultural menu today. We have great music and was an early model for Regional Economic
a wonderful library, but we can and should be development.
much stronger for literature and theater, dance
and the visual arts. SAMI CULTURE
The north of Nordland is part of Sapmi, the Sami
Links between the performing arts, the area that stretches between Norway, Sweden,
museums and the university are a key priority Finland and Russia. Today an estimated 5000
of this Application. We also need to connect Sami in Nordland mostly live in urban areas
more effectively with our partner cities to like Narvik, Hamarøy, Tysfjord and Evenes.
become once again a model for decentralized Three endangered Sami languages are spoken
cultural delivery. within Nordland’s borders. It is claimed that
some 20% of the population here have Sami
A SET OF REGIONAL CULTURAL HUBS background of some sort, but a lot of them do
The counterbalance to this is the fact that the not identify with the Sami culture.
county of Nordland brings to our programme
a range of festivals, museums, galleries, THE WAR AND THE COLD WAR TARGET
cultural houses and other cultural institutions. Bodø’s city centre was heavily bombed in
All year round there is something going on. 1940. Actually, the bombing ruined both the
Nevertheless, we need to better connect our visual culture of the architecture and cultural
different actors on the European cultural stage. heritage of the first urban settlement of Bodø.
We will establish at regional level a centre for
A SET OF REGIONAL CULTURAL HUBS
Svalbard
A LTA
VESTER ÅLEN
· THE CULTURE FACTORY
Northern Lights Winter Finnmark
Festival TROMSØ
VesterålsRock
Week of Culture, Cool-tour Tr o m s
and Nature
Sortland Jazz Festival
OFOTEN
Rock Against Drugs
· THE HAMSUN CENTRE
The Regine Days
· ÁRRAN JULEVSAMI CENTER
· MUSIC IN NORDLAND
Nordland Narvik Winter Festival
Markomeannu Festival
LOFOTEN
· NORDLAND VISUAL THEATRE BODØ Cement Blues Festival
Good Enough Festival
Stamsund int. Theatre Festival
Saga Play Week
Lofoten int. Photo Festival
Lofoten int. Literature Festival
Lofoten int. Art Festival S A LT E N
Lofoten Piano Festival · BODØ CATHEDRAL 5
Querini-days · BODØ RYTHM GROUP
Lofotr Viking Festival · NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AVIATION
Puffin Festival · ARCTIC PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
· STORMEN LIBRARY
· STORMEN CONCERT HALL
HELGEL AND
TRONDHEIM · BODØ SPEKTRUM
· NORDLAND THEATRE
Nordland Music Festival
· ÅARJELHSAEMIEN THEATRE
Parken Music Festival
· THE PETTER DASS MUSEUM
Bodø Jazz Open
· WORLD HERITAGE, VEGA
The Bodø Festival
N O R WAY Winter Light Theatre Festival
UpNorth Street Art Festival
Træna Music Festival
Bodø Biennial
The Vega Days
Salten Blues Festival
Hemnes Jazz Festival
Blåfrost Music Festival
Verket Music Festival
Bodø int. Organ Festival
The Melting Pot Music Festival
Tith Market Days
BERGEN Petter Dass Festival
Galleria Art Festival
OSLO
Roots Festival
S TAVA N G E R
(2008)
BODØ Arctic Circle
N O R WAY
In the early 1950s, Bodø was given the status This has forced Bodø in to a dramatic
as the main military airport and a NATO-base reconsideration of its future. Culture at the
in Norway – with military personnel from centre in this reorientation. With the foundation
all over Europe and the Atlantic. The town of the new concert hall and the newly built
therefore developed from a war-ridden town library, and the focus on urban development,
to an antagonist for the European states on the local community and its citizens are moving
the opposite side of the Iron Curtain as the to a new destiny. Get it wrong, and we are lost.
centre of NATO activities in Northern Europe. Vital choices need to be made.
Overnight our neighbour Soviet Russia became
our enemy. The world drew close to nuclear Over the next years the existing airport and
Armageddon in 1960 when the U2 spy plane military area will be developed into the city
was shot down over the Soviet Union on its way district of Hernes with up to 15 000 units of
to its secret base in Bodø. housing and 20 000 new jobs. In this context
Bodø as whole is being reconstructed with the
NEW WINGS aim to create one of the most technologically
Today again, the city is on the verge of change. and culturally sophisticated cities in the world
The Norwegian air force base is closing down, here at 67 degrees North.
moving thousands of jobs away from the area.
And again, the city and its people need to react
and adapt.
Q4
Explain the concept of the programme
which would be launched if the city is
6 designated as European Capital of Culture.
I N T R O D U CT I O N – G E N E R A L C O N S I D E R AT I O N
O
ur concept is ARCTICulation. We feel outside of our part of the world. But an example
there is a lot in this word and concept of how little people really know about the Arctic.
that relates to us. Arctic and Articulation,
of course. But also Communication. Art. Arcticulation provides an opportunity to show
Cultivation. Community. They are key words for that there is much more to our part of Northern
us. And they all find themselves in our Concept Indeed, for most Europeans “Arctic” first of all
for 2024. means unsuited for human life. It is not where
anybody would like to establish a business or
Arcticulation is our chance to show Europe the take up work, even if they might like to travel
pulse of the Arctic. Four times a day, nearly there to see the polar bears, the Northern
400 million cubic meters of water have been Lights and Sami culture. That needs to change.
streaming through Saltstraumen, among the We suffer from chronic shortages of labour,
strongest tidal currents in the world, nourishing especially qualified labour, and an inability to
one of the world’s largest populations of sea attract new creative industries.
trout, enormous halibut and coalfish, monkfish,
wolffish, shrimp and more. The Gulf Stream Arcticulation aims to show ourselves as a true
is maybe our most important lifeline. Without region in Europe and the world. Not as a distant
warm water keeping the sea outside Nordland periphery, but as the prosperous, innovative
free from ice and the fish accessible we would and creative area it is. Or at least could be…
most likely not be here. The sublime nature Closely connected to the European continent.
of the arctic, the proximity to Russia and the Arcticulation will show why and how Bodø and
mix of Norwegian and multiethnic culture(s) Nordland is central to Europe. No longer an
together with the indigenous Sami culture is exotic periphery.
part of what we mean to arcticulate.
The Winters of Bodø are, after all, less harsh
Bodø, despite the earlier truism about long, than those of central Europe; with temperatures
dark winters, enjoys more daylight than any rarely descending much below freezing. So, let
other city in the world. A little-known fact us Arcticulate the real, unexpected and hidden
elements of Europe’s least understood region.
1. CONTRIBUTION TO THE
LO N G - T E R M S T R AT E G Y
7
Q5
Photo: Bodø kommune
Describe the cultural strategy that is
in place in your city at the time of the
application including plans for sustaining
the cultural activities beyond the title
year.
I
n the last year, Bodø and Nordland County situation. Culture needs to be for everyone and,
have produced two complementary cultural in the longer term, created by everyone. Our
strategy documents. Those documents have 7 shared strategic goals are described in the
been endorsed by Nordland County Council table on the next page.
in February 2018 and by Bodø City Council in
March 2018. This is not a short- term fix, designed just to
tick the boxes for our Application. There is a
Children and young people are a key group for real and urgent challenge to change the focus
the cultural strategy. We aim to strengthen our of our city given the impact of the airbase
work to empower young people to becoming closure, but also the economic challenges we
independent actors in culture and in society in face if we continue to lose our people and fail
the future. If we are to succeed in our long- to attract newcomers.
term aim to be seen as an innovative European
cultural region, investment in the young people So the vision of Bodø as a creative and cultural
on whom a successful future depends is city, where cold is replaced by “cool”, is vital for
fundamental. a sustainable future. Returning to the values
on which our region was created – a holistic
Another key element in our cultural strategy is approach to the connections between culture
that culture should be available for all people and lifestyle – will be the thing that ensures we
not regarding their background or economic prosper in the longer term.
The proposed new city – built on these very The smart city needs a kind of “cultural
principles – will be the clearly visible feature smartness” or consciousness in which we
which showcases our ideas. But the kind of capture and use the essential connection
society we want cannot succeed on gleaming between people, architecture, culture and
new buildings alone. nature. That’s what we really want to build.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES GOALS
To reverse the image of Nordland More attractive and exciting to visit, to study, to
– internally and externally work and to stay in
To widen the production base for culture More producing, co-producing and cross working
To connect with groups still not engaged Addressing issues like diversity, mental Health,
isolation
To make better use of unusual spaces New cultural areas and venues , driven by where
people live
To create a connected web of “hotspots” Facilities, technology, training are improved to
especially for young people create a strong and widely recognized cultural
region
To make our cultural offer more international More international collaborations. Better links
with European artists and institutions
To improve the careers and opportunities for A major capacity building programme which
cultural professionals improves skills, experience and increases jobs
8
1 . C O N T R I B U T I O N TO T H E LO N G - T E R M S T R AT E G Y
Q6
Plans to strengthen the capacity of the
cultural and creative sectors.
Q7
How is the European Capital of Culture
included in this strategy?
W
e have grouped the answers to these than having things “done to them”. That is why
two questions together because of the two projects are, for us, so interconnected.
their close connection. We also see a fundamental connection between
The decision to bid for the European Capital of the need to develop and internationalise
Culture, speaks loudly of our long- term desire our cultural sector as set out in the cultural
to use the bidding process and the title as a strategies and the build-up to ECoC 2024. So in
bridge over which we can reach the long term our programme line “Transition” we set out a
vision we have for Bodø and Nordland. pathway which is a widespread capacity building
programme called “Room for Culture?” not
We have seen some of the best examples just for people in the cultural sector (though
from other cultural capitals and how a major that will be a key element). Instead it will reach
physical regeneration programme connected out to people in all forms of life, education
to a well-planned and inspirational culture and work. It will be a kind of “Stealth-Fare”
programme can galvanise people. Making them programme…some people may not even realise
an integral part of the building process rather their capacity is being built!
The Transition programme will focus on 2 key determined to create a programme of change
features: management built around the need to equip our
(i) More “joined-up” work both across cultural people and organisations (cultural, economic,
organisations and with other sectors social) to respond to those challenges.
(ii) A major capacity building programme.
Transition focusses on 3 “Cs”
Joined-up working - Competancy (skills to survive and thrive)
Both cultural strategies have indicated a need - Character (personal growth, resilience)
to be more connected at cultural level. Both - Culture (connections, shared history and
between genres and across geographical values).
boundaries.
We will deliver this by creating an action
We are absolutely serious about creating the learning programme which uses cultural life
multiplier effect between our different cultural not as a separate sector, but as an energizing
players so that the sum of their work is far and creative force in the process of designing a
greater than the individual parts. It’s not quite sustainable and culturally smart future for our
so simple in a region as geographically spread region. Using dialogue not just to try to find new
as our is. However, the reality of our ability to answers to some of those global challenges,
cope with our dispersed region is that we have but also as a way to vitalise relations between
learned how to work with it. people. Making our society more lively and
creative. We have already seen this happen
We are delighted that the University has already during the development of this Application in
taken a full and active role in developing our the way our young people have become engaged
Application. A city whose future is built around in the process to a degree we simply did not
a balanced appreciation of the balance between expect (see Q 19)
culture, work, nature, climate and economics 9
may not technically be the most efficient way The Transition programme, for example, and
of being. But for many it offers a genuine our plans to strengthen artists and the creative
alternative to a world driven by number sector and how to attract these people to the
crunchers who -as they say – know the cost of Arctic would not be possible to anything like
everything and the value of nothing. the degree we need without the 2024 European
Capital of Culture impetus. This process will
Capacity building allow us to establish more cultural arenas,
This leads us to our capacity building connecting the professionals with the new
programme – “Room for Culture?” More detail talents, place more art in public areas and
is set out in the next section of our Application. create new production arenas. Our aim is to
But we are using the “external drivers”, the be seen as a European best practice example
threats and opportunities of migration (in for decentralised cultural development and
and out) and the airfield development. We are delivery.
Photo: Per-Inge Johnsen
Q8
Set out the longterm cultural, economic
and social impact on the City (including in
terms of urban development)
O
ur long-term vision can be summarised of all ways of life, integrated to encourage
in two numbers. 25 45. Let’s explain. learning and sharing through music, theatre,
2025 would be the first year of a Bodø installations and paintings.
2024 ECoC legacy, and 20 further years would
take us to 2045, and our 20 year legacy. The Barents region is a recognised cultural
hotspot in Northern Europe where exchanges
But that’s not the real point. 25/45 is the age and collaboration between communities and
group we need to build our future around. We artists has forged greater understanding
are losing that group from our region now. between people and nations, including relations
And few are coming back. We also fail to with Russia.
attract 25/45 year olds to work here. We have
a particular challenge to retain and attract Attracting national and international figures
women in that key age group, not least from a to perform is no longer difficult. Many of our
cultural perspective as broadly speaking that venues are firmly on the map. Our cultural
group largely forms the core cultural audience competence has been recognised across Europe
in most European cities. where “Room for Culture?” has been emulated
10 as a best practice capacity building model.
Therefore we will use 25/45 to form the basis
1 . C O N T R I B U T I O N TO T H E LO N G - T E R M S T R AT E G Y
to assess the long term impact of Bodø 2024. Narvik Winter Festival is considered amongst
After all, today’s 18 year olds will be 25 in 2025. the best 5 winter festivals in Europe.
Today’s 45 year olds will be approaching 60.
Today’s 8 year olds will be 15. We want more Bodø library is one of Scandinavia’s best 5
of the 18 year olds to be here at 25. We want libraries and also heads a thriving regional
the 45 year olds to be active, alert, healthy and library network, encouraging new writers to
involved in the cultural and community life of build on the traditions of Petter Dass and Knut
Bodø and Nordland. And we are particularly Hamsun.
keen to reverse the tide of women leaving our
region. Lofoten piano festival is voted no 1 in Europe by
the Pianist Magazine.
SO WHAT WILL 2025 LOOK LIKE? Museum visitor numbers have increased by 25%
from 2018. The Stockfish Tranpsort Museum
In 2025, Bodø and Nordland will have gained is one of Europe’s most interesting industrial
a Europe-wide reputation as a place where museums and has won several architecture
culture forms a vital part of life, constantly awards. The Cold War museum now opened in
creating new experiences and values. These an iconic venue on the former military airfield.
qualities set the tone for an area which A new contemporary arts museum is now under
energises the young people living and working construction
here. More and more new settlers are attracted
to a place which is tolerant, and welcoming. Economy
Creative yet technologically advanced. The Nordland business sector has moved up
the value chain. No longer simply a commodity
Culture producer. Industries such as hydropower and
Bodø is now known as an important and green industry, and mineral production have
innovative European cultural city. Where created high value jobs which attract workers
culture is not just performances, installations to Nordland.
and concerts. Culture is the spiritual dimensionYoung people still study, travel and collaborate Building on the strength of the University’s
outside the region, but mainly to earn the skills nursing degree, we have become a leading
to secure better jobs when they return home. European centre in developing programmes
Numbers of students returning to Bodø after linking culture and health and well-being.
studying away from here has grown to almost
50%. Urban development
In the coming years the dominant urban
We have increased by 25% the number of new development project will be the new city area
workers coming to settle here every year. created after the opening of the new airport on
the south-western point of the Bodø peninsula.
Many young creatives are building successful Even before the new airport is operational,
businesses using natural products and turning planned to be in 2025, the new urban area can
them into internationally desirable items. begin development on the former airbase area.
Visitor numbers have increased by 20%. A municipal masterplan will show how this
large area, close to existing parts of Bodø,
Social can be formed into a compact, sustainable
Bodø and Nordland have repositioned as and liveable city to cope with the city of Bodø’s
a region known for developing a balanced growth through the next 50-100 years – as well
lifestyle that is more focused on values such as from 25-45. In the future, this area will have
as collaboration, trust and reciprocity. We find approximately 20 000 jobs and 30 000 inhabitants
opportunities for people to contribute to their living in zero emission neighbourhoods with
communities, building on a long and good schools, kindergarten, shops, parks, work and 11
tradition of “virtue” (unpaid voluntary work) in social meeting places in walking distance from
sports, outdoor activities and cultural events. where they live. The municipal masterplan will
be completed in 2022. Throughout this planning
People expect to and enjoy having artists living process, the entirety of cultural heritage in the
around them and actively participating in the area will be considered for preservation and
design of community activity and use of places future repurposing.
and spaces.
By 2025, we intend that Bodø will have been
Our Newton Centres for cultural education (see able to make a major difference in the way the
Q11) have become an established model for Arctic is recognised. 2025 – 2045 will see the
involving people of all ages in learning about long -term effects of an effective Arcticulation
their heritage and culture. in the way the Arctic Region is seen as a go to
place not one to avoid unless you have to come.
Nordland wins a European award for exceptional Cool not cold.
public art.
Q9
Outline briefly the plans for monitoring
and evaluation.
Our Monitoring system will be built on 2 measure in particular the economic and
features. social impacts set out in Q8 above.
i) Firstly a set of core of economic and social ii) Secondly a more qualitative analysis of
indicators to measure improvements to the what we have described as a “Dialogues for
long - term success of Bodø and Nordland a Living City.” We will also analyze what the
using the 7 objectives set out in Q5 for ECoC year is doing with population in Bodø
strategic cultural development. These will and Nordland. We will develop this concept
also add some key economic indicators to in partnership with Nord University and
Nordland Research Institute.We are also keen to share the development of and our plans to build a new cultural model for
this “better lifestyle articulation” with a number our Region.
of other European partners who we find are
also interested in this aspect. These include Dialogues for A Living City
Kaunas 2022, one of our fellow 2024 candidates One of our strategic objectives has been to
– Stavanger 2008, Turku 2011, Aarhus 2017 and make a closer connection between City and
Valletta 2018. University. This Application has already begun
that process with significant contributions to
We will also connect with Liverpool University’s our Application through the participation of
Institute of Cultural Capital should we progress senior faculty members in our various working
to Phase 2. We are keen to learn lessons around groups.
measuring longer term impacts and building
on their work to include more social and well- We have also spoken much about work-life
being dimensions. balance and also creating a more culturally
inclusive approach to urban development and
Core Indicators smart city technologies. We believe this will
The table below/opposite shows some of our help solve our 25/45 issue.
core indicators and current baselines. For
our core indicators, we have connected the In Phase 2 therefore, and in cooperation with
strategic objectives and success factors in Q5- Nord University we will build a methodology
8, together with our plans for capacity building. to measure what we are calling “dialogues for
This is to create the indicator framework in a living city”. Our plans for this period also
the table, taking further the “3cs” approach to involve making connections with the parallel
capacity building. In this way there is a clear work taking place in those European partners
and measurable connection between Bodø 2024 we identified above.
12
BODØ 2025 – 45 ARCTICULATION IMPACT
1 . C O N T R I B U T I O N TO T H E LO N G - T E R M S T R AT E G Y
FACTORS OUR PLAN BASELINE STATEMENT SUCCESS FROM 2025
CHALLENGE Change the image of At present the region is From cold to cool.
AND Bodø and Nordland. seen as undynamic and not Bodø recognised as a top 20
CHANGE Create more ambitious somewhere where many European small city cultural
mentality in the city. Europeans would come to destination.
Increase both visitor work. Young people feel they live in
numbers and numbers Too many 25-45 year olds a cultural hotspot. Increase
of people coming here leave. Too few come. by nearly 50 % of students
to work. returning to region after
leaving to study elsewhere.
25 % Increase in visitors
and a 20 % increase in new
workers.
COLLA- Cultural Production, Cultural Partnerships need Hotspot model is recognised
BORATE, Cultural Capacity. to be stronger as described as decentralised best
CAPACITY Cultural Careers in the cultural strategy. practice.
are addressed and No of jobs in culture More young people Impact of
developed through currently approx 2000. Transition programme
Transform. Need to improve 20% increase in culture jobs.
connectivity and career
development.
CREATIVE, New cultural and Number of creative New venues set out in Q8 are
CONNECT, creative businesses. businesses is very low. in place.
COMMUNITY More European cultural Need to be more Number of creative
connections. international in outlook and businesses increase by 100%.
Connect with “under- content. More venues are located near
consumers of culture” Standard audiences are where people live and hike.
good, but we fail to reach Audiences improve by 30
and involve significant %. Greater penetration of
groups. “under-consumers”.2 . C U LT U R A L A N D
ARTISTIC CONTENT
13
Q10
Photo: Morten Eriksen
What is the artistic vision and strategy for
the cultural programme of the year?
I
n developing the artistic vision and strategy
for our bid we have related our discussions
to the following description of the main
ARCTICulation
concept which emerged from and energized our
From a cold war target
programme development group:
to a European cultural hub.
Our programme will celebrate and reflect the We are articulating an arctic perspective
qualities of the Arctic. Its unique relationship on today and tomorrow
with land and sea and with nature. Its unknown through borderless culture.
and un-appreciated history. Its invention, With respect for our histories,
resilience and imagination. Its surprising and the land and the sea,
inspiring connections with Europe. Its potential aiming for new horizons.
for a positive contribution to the questions
which challenge us Europeans.
PULSE
Our artistic vision is connected to the pulse
of nature. The sun, with its one- year pulse of
disappearing completely in the winter, only to
stay up for a full month in summer. The moon, Our artistic vision is connected
and the monthly pulse of the tides and the to the pulse of nature.following currents and maelstroms. The fish, we are, living in some of the most vulnerable
coming and going at the same time year after areas of Europe. Seeing white snow on the
year, making it possible to harvest, preserve mountain tops and crystal clear sea water is a
and trade in a sustainable and natural way. constant reminder of some of our times’ most
The ever-changing and intense light, either important challenges, influencing everything
the midnight sun keeping you awake in the from how we live our private lives to politics.
summer nights, or the magic aurora borealis Our programme will articulate and explore
suddenly dancing on the dark blue winter sky. these connections and seek to give them
The movement of the Sami people and their universal value to share with an international
reindeer, following the seasons and pastures. audience.
Our vision and strategy is an inclusive view on Like art, the pulse of nature has its irregularities.
our 21st century society. One which combines The tides rise and fall not in six hour cycles,
indigenous Sami culture and expressions to match the day, but in six hours and twenty-
as much as traditional and contemporary some minutes. The midnight sun just avoids
Norwegian culture and the culture that new following the calendar, staying up in Bodø from
migrants and ex-pats contribute to the mix. 9 June to 8 July. The cod from the Barents
Sea normally arriving just after New Year. The
Our aim is to invite Europe and a broader sun returning on 13 January, instead of New
international audience with our projects to Year’s Day. The erratic aurora borealis. Always
experience this exceptional interconnectedness slightly «off», or unpredictable, reminding us
of culture(s) and nature, prospering from the who is truly in charge. Like the actress earning
same resources continuously for thousands her «Kunstpause» or the drummer hanging
and thousands of years. This awareness that the snare slightly behind the beat, everything
people of the Arctic have of the environment in streaming within a steady pulse, but slightly
14 a concrete, personal way. We know how fragile offset, like a true artist.
2 . C U LT U R A L A N D A R T I S T I C C O N T E N T
Q11
Give a general overview of the structure
of your cultural programme, including
the range and diversity of the activities/
main events that will mark the year.
THE PROGRAMME IS STRUCTURED AROUND THREE MAIN THEMES,
ARTICULATED THROUGH A BROAD PALETTE OF DIFFERENT ARTISTIC
EXPRESSIONS AND ART FORMS.
THE ART OF NATURE FISH AND SHIPS TRANSITIONTHE ART OF NATURE is about exploring art and how it has impacted on our collective
in – or from – an arctic perspective. Building consciousness and confidence.
on the idea of being one with nature and the
environment, as opposed to hiding from it. We TRANSITION is highlighting connections with
are programming projects and events that bring city development and capacity building projects.
art into the nature, and vice versa. We want to The towns and centres of Nordland have
articulate our responsibility of the nature we adapted to change through history, surviving
are part of. the rise and fall of the industrial era, becoming
modern societies. In the years coming we will
FISH AND SHIPS is about our history, and again be challenged, as we are developing a
through the programme we are taking aim smart, sustainable region.
at communicating both the story of living in
Nordland, and how our story is still living all Transition also relates to our ambition to build
around us today – our living (hi)story. The on and develop a number of regional festivals
story of stockfish trade that has made such an and events. Currently they are good, but they
important contribution to the development of can be better. By investing in their development
our nation, and how it’s still a living part of our between now and 2024, they can move from
everyday life when the fishing boats and factory good to great in 2024. Great too as a long-term
trawlers dock right in the Bodø city centre. legacy of quality international festivals which
It also looks at and shares with a number continue to work with European partners and
of European partners our Cold War history draw larger and more diverse audiences.
THE YEAR 2024 WILL BE STRUCTURED BY SEVERAL HIGHLIGHT EVENTS 15
WHICH CONNECT TO THE PULSE OF NATURE:
HERE COMES THE SUN – Opening 13 January, the day the sun is back to Nordland
WINTER FESTIVAL – Equinox 20 March, when the day is equal length all over Europe
MAJOR SUMMER SPECTACLE – Midnight sun 22 May – 21 July
AUTUMN STORMS EVENT – Autumnal equinox, 22 September
ARCTIC LIGHTS – Refraction from 29 November
They are not intended as a strict rule or autumnal equinox. The period of midnight sun
template for the programme, but rather a part and winter refraction, or «dark period» (which
of the programme itself, articulating how the really is a misleading name, the winter lights
people of Nordland in various ways celebrate being the most exotic to foreigners) is equally
these happenings every year. It is common present in people’s consciousness – Facebook
practice to take a break from work to see the walls and Instagram accounts flooding with
sun returning. People flock to the top floors of aurora borealis or bright-as-the-day midnight
the hotels or put on their coats and gather on hikes, depending on the season.
the roof of their workplace, just to see the first
sun rays of the year. Our vision is that in 2024, our citizens will
adapt their practice of welcoming the seasons
Equinox, on the contrary, is not commonly to welcoming in our special cultural seasons.
celebrated in our culture, but the idea of this Turning out in force to share a programme
day being equal for all of Europe seems like which helps them to unlock the stories and
a great challenge for our artists to explore mysteries of arctic cultural life and the depth
in the making of our programme, as with the of our European cultural connections.THE PROJECTS
This is a selection of projects which will form the core of the 2024 programme.
We have not clustered them against the themes. Our reasoning is that many fit more
than one theme. So rather than creating an artificial grouping of “best fit” projects, our
design feature shown above illustrates which themes relate to each of our projects.
VIND I HÅRET (WIND IN YOUR HAIR) an app, where both facts and fun stories pop
up on your phone as you walk. Maybe you are
passing a bench where someone experienced
their first kiss? Or perhaps you are straight
above an F-16 shelter? Or was it a Viking grave?
Wind in your Hair is a different kind of art
and culture trail. The trail is in itself an A trail from central Bodø to the university is
articulation of our culture, as being Norwegian already part of the urban development plans.
is almost synonymous with “exposing yourself It will be running through the areas becoming
to the elements”. Walking on this trail you available when the air strip is moved; starting
will become Norwegian yourself with wind at the downtown quay, where you see the
in your hair and possibly getting soaked by regular ship traffic pass the historic fort,
the ocean spray on a stormy day or floating going through the «reconstruction district» of
16 in the eerie light of a cloudless arctic winter Bodø (an observable result of the World War II
day. The trail is not about making the trip as bombing) further through the current airport
comfortable as possible. The trail will hug the which will be developed as a «Port of Culture»
2 . C U LT U R A L A N D A R T I S T I C C O N T E N T
shoreline, making you literally feel how we live (see project below), housing the Bodø 2024
here because of nature, not in spite of it. Our headquarters. From here through the new city
European far and near neighbours will be able district, across the former military air base,
to understand much better what Bodø and the past the new Museum of Historic Stockfish
arctic circle are about on this immersive art, Transport and along the shoreline.
nature and urban history experience.
Potential partners: KORO (Public Art Norway)
The culmination of the project Vind i Håret is to
give the trail a dimension of art by challenging
a number of important European artists the PORT OF CULTURE
like of Tomás Saraceno, Per Kirkeby, Jeppe
Hein, Anish Kapoor, or Monica Bonvicini to
create installations along the trail, exposed to
the arctic weather, telling us and our visitors
new stories of who we are. This project will Port of Culture is about re-using and reviving
be the perfect sequel to Artscape Nordland disused buildings. As Bodø’s Main Air Force
(realized 1992-1998 and 2009-2015), a project Station is closing down, Bodø will have a
that developed an internationally significant «once-in-history» opportunity to create a
contemporary art collection in the public space sustainable, dynamic and both technologically
all over the region. The art works are created and culturally smart city as 3,400 acres of land
based on the conditions inherent to Nordland. free up for urban development. In connection
On the Vind i Håret art trail we take this to the with New City, New Airport and Vind i Håret we
next level and present new art works which have initiated a project with the architect who
engage in a dialogue with their surroundings designed the current airport terminal building,
within walking distance from each other. Per Morten Wik at Boarch architects.
Vind i Håret has a participatory element where
the collected ideas and experiences from the Mr Wik and Boarch have made their contribution
local citizens will be part of the story through to our bid by providing plans to prepare theterminal building (which will be deserted about their success in part being a result of
by mid 2024 as the new airport will open) to Bodø investing in rooms and instruments,
become a cultural and creative link between uttering their concern for the next generation
the new and the old city, as well as between the if this infrastructure is not cared for. As Bodø
different city eras of the “before” and “after”. is growing, the foundation of a success like The
We want to set up headquarters of Bodø 2024 Bodø Wave needs public care to keep growing.
in the terminal building, as well as initiating a Band on the runway can be an incentive for the
creative “port” for creative industries, cultural city to prepare for a new Bodø Wave, by giving
organizations and producers to settle there the young pop and rock scene attention and
from 2024 onwards. As a legacy of the ECoC support in the years leading up to 2024.
2024 the then disused former airport would
turn into a Port of Culture – with co-working Potential partner: Room for Resistance/Night
spaces, office and gallery space, affordable Tartu Strategy Tartu 2024 Candidate City
ateliers and performance spaces as well as
an exhibition space suitable for contemporary
visual art that is currently missing in the city. MIDSUMMER MYTHOLOGY
BAND ON THE RUNWAY
No programme for our region would be
complete without bringing in the wonder and
excitement of our Norse culture and mythology
Band on the Runway will be a music festival, (of which Nordland is a cradle), the Trolls and
taking stage on the current air strip in the end Talking Mountains.
of June 2024. The new airport will open 7 June 17
2024, over night making the current airport – Midsummer Mythology – will be a huge outdoor
including landing strip, terminal building and family event where the creatures of our past
other infrastructure – the perfect stage for the provide the basis for a weekend of mythological
largest festival in the history of Bodø. Checking culture. The link between the magical, scary
in through the airport security control, the creatures which filled our childhood with fear
audience will board a musical round trip of and excitement and our relationship with nature
European bands, including artists representing is a crucial one. Often they were used to put
former ECoCs. And, who knows, maybe we can young people on guard for the dangers which
wrap up the history of this air strip by having lurked in the woods or of playing too close to a
another U2 touchdown, this time captained by sea which might eat you up. But they also form
Bono and his crew in a peaceful get-together a special part of the exoticism of our region.
on the Edge of Europe. Something for everyone to celebrate and share.
Bodø is considered a Norwegian music capital. Together with an international partner, we will
Home to half of the Arctic Philharmonic work with communities to produce their own
Orchestra (shared with the city of Tromsø), Trolls, Draugs and other mythical creatures,
one of our country’s longest running children’s as well as inviting artists to produce work to
song schools, choirs, bands, groups and an animate the city. Over the weekend Bodø will
extensive programme of concerts of all kinds. be turned into a mythological maelstrom with
Since the early 2000’s the city has invested installations, events and activities for all of
in band rooms and backline in a number of the family. The climax will involve a parade of
public youth clubs, helping form a series of these phantasmagorical creatures around the
successful bands and artists on the Norwegian City, culminating in a spectacular show in Bodø
pop and rock scenes during the last ten years, Harbour. The show will be based on one of our
often referred to as The Bodø Wave. Several most evocative myths, with the midnight sun
of these bands and artists are an obvious part and the talking mountains providing a breath-
of an international level Band on the runway taking setting.
line-up. While celebrating, we must not forget
that these musicians are clear and outspokenIn tandem with this event, libraries all a different approach to art, presenting it
around the region will involve young people outdoors, in direct connection with the nature
in reading stories of myths and legends, and and environment surrounding us. Former ECoC
holding creative writing workshops to produce and fellow member of the Norwegian City
new myths for the 21st century. We also see Network, Stavanger is home of the street art
opportunities for our new settlers to tell the festival NuArt, widely considered the world’s
stories of the myths and legends from their leading celebration of Street Art among its
countries of origin, playing a full part in the peers. UpNorth director Gøran Moya and NuArts
programme and in the work with young people. Martyn Reed are in dialogue, building on each
And we will invite our 2024 partners from others’ experience. In the build-up to 2024 we
Estonia and Austria to join us if the winners want NuArt and UpNorth to connect, preparing
are prepared to brave our scary summer and if for a unique, multi-city event in 2024.
they have decent monsters to contribute. Who
knows, the Beast of Kaunas may make a guest Through partnering with «big sister» NuArt,
appearance… UpNorth will be challenged to visit different
towns of Nordland as well as our fellow
Potential partners: Kaunas 2022, Austrian ECoCs. We have been in dialogue with the
and Estonian candidate cites. Estonian candidate cities, seeking to include
the Estonian company SprayPainter and their
wall-climbing robot that paints in large scale
CONNECTING WASTE what the artists draw digitally, on a tablet or
pad. The digital dimension of this project opens
a world of new possibilities; artists in any
one of the 2024 ECoCs can be online, creating
their art locally, letting the SprayPainter robot
18 Connecting Waste is interactive art made realize it on a wall in another city. Certainly,
from waste. This project is one of the winners by 2024 technology has come even further, and
of the idea-contest run by our region’s main this project could see artists have their work
2 . C U LT U R A L A N D A R T I S T I C C O N T E N T
newspaper for ECoC project ideas. Connecting robot painted in each of the ECoCs in real time?
Waste is about exploring the possibilities
of waste, including both young and old in Potential partners: NuArt Stavanger,
the awareness of our global environmental SprayPainter Estonia
challenges. Professional artists are challenged
to work with the citizens and express what they
see in this waste. The goal is to express history, NEW VIEWS
multicultural aspects and environmental
issues, in sculptures that inspire physical
activity, curiosity, pondering, dialogue etc.
We have visited candidate city in Estonia
and discussed this project. We envision a New Views was developed by the festival
collaboration, where we will exchange each Nordland Musikkfestuke, our tourist
others materials – children from Tartu creating information office Visit Bodø and Bodø Trekking
art with waste picked from Nordlands beaches, Association. Now we want to build on it for Bodø
and children from Bodø working with waste 2024. Local artists are commissioned to write
from the Emajõgi River in Tartu. music for specific viewpoints and the music is
only available on a mobile phone app when you
are at the actual spot.
UPNORTH
For Bodø 2024, the project will evolve into a
European collaboration with artists from other
European cities creating music for special
places or views in each other’s cities. This will
UpNorth is a street art festival. The festival allow an increased European mobility of artists
engages top international artists, who are and at the same time can be used for exchanging
invited to express themselves in the gigantic concerts and participatory activities. Bodø
format of house walls. UpNorth articulates 2024 could produce the platform, in form of anapp but also in cooperation with music agents, THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE
letting musicians across Europe musically
colorize the unique places and views of their
area and the areas they travel to. Giving
their musical comment on places they visit,
connecting cultures and people across Europe. The Nordland Theatre in Mo i Rana and the
At the same time the project invites people south Sami theatre Åarjelhsaemien Teater
out of the traditional culture venues, making usually present four productions with up to
virtually anywhere a venue. 90 shows a year. Both theatre work under the
same roof and their idea is to produce Bertold
Brecht’s play The Caucasian Chalk Circle as a
THE LEGEND OF STONES play with Sami and non-Sami actors adapting
the story to our own cultural backgrounds.
Talking about THE Sami culture is like speaking
about THE European culture – it is too diverse
and too manifold to be pressed into one single YOIK OF THE RETURNING SUN
expression – as we said: Three Sami languages
are being spoken within the Nordland area
alone. Sami culture nowadays spans the arch
of traditional artistic and craft expressions to
intermixes with contemporary styles to political A yoik or joik is a Sami singing style which
and environmental activism and further. What is considered one of the oldest still living
we can attempt to do is to offer a platform singing known in Europe. The most important
under the title The Legend of Stones on which difference from other singing is that you do not
some Sami artistic and cultural expressions yoik about something, you yoik it. You yoik an
can be shared with an international audience. animal or a person, making it come alive and 19
appear in song. We want to try to evoke the
One of the stories that the Stormen library in European Capital of Culture in Bodø 2024 in
Bodø tells about our relationship with the Sami yoik. In fact, one of the winning ideas from our
is a 100-year-old photograph that has been public idea competition was to commission a
enlarged to a size of over 20 square metres. yoik for the ECoC, hopefully making the very
It depicts an elderly couple from Nordland essence of ECoC take form in song. In addition
County. The area around the man’s feet has to this we could hold a yoik contest (like the
been scratched out – one of the couple’s popular Sami Song Contest) or commission for
descendants has at some point tried to erase a number of yoiks to be performed as the Yoik
evidence of Sami ancestry; the traditional of the Returning Sun at the opening ceremony.
kommager, made from reindeer and seal skin, This is still to be developed.
was a warm, functional and cheap shoe. This
alone shows that there is no black-and-white
approach on the stories we share. ERASED BOOTS
We have been consulting with our colleagues
from Umeå 2014 about how they presented
Sami culture and we can learn a lot from them.
But we also want to find our own way and have We envisage a major collaboration about folk
Sami representatives in our artistic working culture with the National Museum of Estonia
groups. which has a vast collection and exhibition on the
Finno-Ugric speaking people of Europe. Since
all Sami languages as well as the Estonian,
Finnish and Hungarian language belong to
this family we want to share this heritage and
involve the Hungarian ECoC of 2023, the finnish
ECoC of 2026 as well as the Finno-Ugric Capital
Talking about THE Sami of Culture 2024. Potential partners are also
culture is like speaking about the Swedish Sami Museum and Centre Ájtte in
THE European culture... Jokkmokk, Siida the National Museum of the
Finnish Sami, the Sami Museum in Karasjok
(NO).VIA QUERISSIMA locally – instead you are offered Quesadillas
and Beef Burgers, like everywhere else. Querini
brought the Italians stockfish, but the product
is not very well known and explored back home.
We want the Arctic Food Festival to become an
Via Querissima is about creating a modern annual arena of exploring and sharing arctic
cultural heritage route based on the story of food resources.
Pietro Querini. The Venetian merchant sailed
from Crete in April 1431, bound for Bruges in We envision two main lines for this festival:
Flanders. 68 men sailed on three merchant
ships loaded with wine casks and spices MOUSSE THE MOOSE
intended for Western European markets. The
fleet passed Malta, the Canary Islands and
Galicia, but encountered a terrible storm on the
west coast of France. The storm damaged the
ships and the sailors had to abandon the ship, Mousse the Moose is a mixture of capacity
relying on their lifeboats. Without the ability to building and local enjoyment which invites
navigate, the boats were driven by the streams professional chefs from all over Europe to
following the coast of Ireland and Scotland use local produce in surprising new creations.
ending up on the remote island of Røst, often Workshops and educational activities for
referred to as «the edge of the world», a three regional chefs, restaurant owners and retailers
hour boat ride west of Bodø. Querini’s story will help build structures and awareness for
connects Europe from south to north. The offering a more local and sustainable – but
journey follows the trails of merchants that also more interesting culinary offer to visitors
have impacted different cultures. The project and locals alike. Stands at the festival below
20 will explore how an economy based on creative/ will allow the larger audience to enjoy the new
cultural industries be managed, enhanced and creations and learn about local food production.
implemented in our future, and seek to develop
2 . C U LT U R A L A N D A R T I S T I C C O N T E N T
stronger awareness of our fellow European
countries’ unique resources. THE FLYING STOCKFISH FESTIVAL
The island Røst, the westernmost island of
Lofoten, has developed a festival in Querini’s
name. Stockfish recipes, exhibitions, music
and trade are what connects the stories. In The Flying Stockfish Festival is a local, multi-
2012 the festival premiered an opera on the ethnic experimentation of our traditional
story of Querini. The opera has played every export product, stockfish. We have people of
two years since then, and in connection with 122 different nationalities living in the county
Bodø’s ambition to become ECoC 2024 the plus the indigenous Sami. What happens when
island community have started to work towards these cultures adopt our local stockfish and
staging the opera in Querini’s home town of produce? How about some Nigerian Jollof Rice
Venice. In 2024, we want the opera to travel with Stockfish or Afghan Stockfish-Shorwa?
along Via Querissima, visiting e.g. Venice, Cadiz A nice Sami/migrant crossover has already
and Porto. happened with a new dish called Suovaskebab
which sees the traditional smoked reindeer or
moose meat Suovasbierggo married with pita
bread, garlic sauce and cucumber. Just some
ARCTIC FOOD of the surprises locals and guests might be in
for. Hopefully, from 2024 onwards local food is
Arctic Food is about local food in a European as cool as its healthy.
and international perspective. We have small
scale food festivals in our region, but for ECoC The creative people of Kjerringøy, where you can
2024 we want to include everyone in a larger, visit an authentic 19th century trading post, can
comprehensive project. Local produce – sea take visitors fishing in historic boats from boat
food, reindeer, moose, berries, herbs and craftsman Ulf Mikalsen. Using traditional gear
vegetables are sadly underused in restaurants and following the different species through theYou can also read
