Mors is located in the North of Denmark. Each year this small island hosts one of the major Cultural Summit of Denmark; the Kulturmødet. The location being an island far away from the lively capital city of Copenhagen was not just a happy coincidence. It is necessary the summit takes place in part of the country where people are less used to facing and living with different cultures, the necessity and the desire to understand more of this ever growing and multicultural Europe is heard loud and clear.
The summit consisted of a series of panel discussions, meetings and exhibitions that focused on what culture and art can do to shape national and European identity.
The Nordic Cultural Camp (NCC) was an initiative related to the Kulturmødet Mors. It was an opportunity for young aspiring artists mainly from Nordic countries to meet and get inspired by each other. They worked and discussed topics relating to current issues they face, such as borders, identity and the social difficulties facing artists. The aim of the Nordic Culture Camp was to create an international environment where artists could create and work together from varying and diverse nationalities and artistic influences.
Anne Marie Heide Hvii, Karen Somerset and Jesper Olsen were the main organizers of the event . We asked Anne Marie a few questions to have a deeper insight into the NCC.
What were your expectations from the Nordic Culture Camp and Kulturmødet?
Our hopes and expectations were to make the NCC a success – both at a practical and artistic level. The participants would benefit from it, and that the different nationalities of the participants would create an international and intercultural dimension to the main event, ”Kulturmødet”. I must say,our expectations were fulfilled. The young participants got involved in the public debates about arts, culture and politics - and they contributed to the public programme with numerous performances and cultural events combining all their different artistic skills. And it is my impression, that they all brought home new friendships, a lot of impressions and the spirit of the Kulturmødet with them.
Why do you think the workshops were important?
The Kulturmødet offers a large number of public debates and cultural and artistic events to the public for free. We wanted the participants of the NCC to be part of the official programme and hence become part of the Kulturmødet, and not just as spectators. The intention behind the workshops was to ensure time and space for the young participants to get to know each other and developing the camp’s contribution to the public programme.. And besides that all sorts of collaborations between the participants evolved into a range of small projects and public events.
Do you think this kind of initiatives will help the young artists to create a stronger national and international identity? or help them in any other way?
The participants were young aspiring artists or young people involved in the cultural sphere. I believe that gathering young people from different countries with similar interests will broaden their perspectives both in terms of geography and artistic skills. I believe it will inspire and help them to expand their network and promote dialogue,. I hope they even had time during the workshops to share their own personal experiences and talk about what it is like being a young artist in their respective countries.
Do you think from your experiences at the NCC Art has borders?
Art is such a big word that can have so many ways of expression. But rather than art having borders, from my experience art can help communicate and share experiences across borders.