Scan Magazine
| Special Theme
|
Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Norway
BarentsKræsj, produced by DanseFestival Barents and Stellaris DansTeater. Photo: Kim S. Falck-Jørgensen
World-class dance experiences in an Arctic setting The world’s northernmost festival is a space that transcends borders, and where dance artists come to collaborate. Featuring eclectic performances from across the Barents Arctic region, the result is nothing short of magical. By Ndéla Faye
Ever since its inception, DanseFestival Barents has been attracting dance artists and visitors to Hammerfest in Norway. The festival was founded by Solveig Leinan-Hermo and Stellaris DansTeater, and the first festival was held in 2003. DanseFestival Barents was born out of a need to create a vibrant meeting place for dance artists living and working in the Barents region. It has since grown into one of the most notable networks of dance artists across the globe, marking its 20th jubilee next year.
has over five million inhabitants, and it is home to numerous people, cultures and languages. “It’s an incredibly vibrant and culturally rich region. Despite spanning across several state borders, the people have something in common: living in the Arctic region. DanseFestival Barents is a place where artists and audiences can come together and experience what happens when people meet and get to collaborate,” says Marie Hermo Jensen, who is the festival’s co-artistic director, alongside Solveig Leinan-Hermo.
The Barents Region consists of the northernmost parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and North-West Russia. The area
The town of Hammerfest is the northernmost town in the world, with more than 10,000 inhabitants. As well as its dance
64 |
Issue 141
|
April 2022
scene, Hammerfest has plenty of other exciting experiences for visitors, too. There are numerous hiking trails and newly-designed hiking huts with stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Visitors can also take a ferry to visit Sørøya, where you can meet some of its most interesting inhabitants, Mongolian camels, and some tourists might even be lucky enough to spot the iconic northern lights. “Hammerfest and the nearby areas are well worth a visit – and what better way to explore life in the Arctic than combining it with the festival and seeing some of the best talent we have to offer?” poses Hermo Jensen. This year, from 9 to 13 November, the town of Hammerfest will host another festival with world-class talent from the Barents region, as well as from across the globe. “We are proud to be a place where voices from the region can come together.
