The tradition of holding Norwegian days in Murmansk dates back to 1997. Nowadays it has developed into a cultural-political cocktail with contemporary art, performances, literature, theatre, film, seminars and concerts as ingredients, spiced with the current issues related to the Barents Region and the High North in general.
The Murmansk audience takes part in the events in large numbers and enters into discussion with artists from Norway and Russia. This year Murmansk students had a golden opportunity not only to watch films by Norwegian director Knut Eric Jensen, but also to talk with the well-known Norwegian film director.
Amund Sveen presented his idea to launch a new governmental programme in Norway - Oil-for-Art. The Norwegian artist makes reference to Oil-for-Food programme, established by the UN in 1995 in Iraq. The intent was to allow them to sell oil on the world market in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian needs. He points out that though there is enough oil and food in the country, Norwegian citizens have too little what makes their life meaningful.The artist made his presentation with a good sense of self-irony. In the end he played various-sized “musical glasses” filled with oil.
The programme of Norwegian Days had also something to offer to junior citizens. Murmansk Puppet Theatre staged “Kurt og fisken” by Erlend Loe. Still this funny and touchy story can be considered ambivalent, which will appear to adults as well. Erlend Loe with his simple and manner of writing has gained a great success in Russia.
The Norwegian Days in Murmansk 2010 are organized by the Pikene på Broen together with Norwegian Consulate General and are funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
