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Visa-free crossings in downtown Murmansk

Russian-Norwegian border has been moved to the center of Murmansk. Now people passing by can easily cross the border on their way to a shop or a cafe, and no visa is needed.

Location

Cultural Days of northern neighbours have become a tradition in Murmansk – Days of Finland, Sweden, Denmark…The most permanent participant is the fjord country with its annual cultural programme “Days of Norway in Murmansk”, which has been held for more than 10 years.

But this year, for the first time ever all countries united together and came up with a common  programme –  Nordic Days in Murmansk (13-24 April 2011):

RUSSIAN-NORWEGIAN BORDER IN CENTRE OF MURMANSK 

The “Borderlines” installation by a Norwegian artist Morten Traavik opened the Nordic Days in Murmansk 2011. Everybody has a chance to cross the border with the real Russian and Norwegian bordrer pillars in the central park of the city until April 24. No queues or misunderstandings.

- The improvised border gives us an opportunity to think not only about state border lines, but  also about other types of borders that people create themselves – the author of the project explains.  Borderlines is an example of free understanding of “borders” in general.

The Norwegian expression Et sted går grense has been chosen as the motto for the installation, which was translated into Russian with the help of Pushkin’s phrase from The Golden Cockerel fairytale (“Всему есть граница”).

Morten Traavik already moved the Russian-Norwegian border twice: in the center of Oslo and Kirkenes (under the Barents Spektakel festival).

MUSIC AND THEATRE

The Casiokids concert in Murmansk became one of the highlights under the Nordic Days.  The Norwegian band named themselves after a synthesizer of 80s. Despite the fact that they sing in their native language, musicians have gained an international recognition. By the way, Casiokids arrived to Murmansk straight after their performance in Mexico city!

Music of Nordic countries was presented by many other participants: from the performers of Lappish joik, ska, pop, jazz and blues up to orchestra musicians.

The puppet theatre has shown the Finnish children’s play “Kurkvaak! – Oh, So Froggy!” and Norwegian one  - “When the Robbers Came to Cardamom Town”, based on the story of Thorbjørn Egner.

EXHBITIONS AND FILMS

This year, the movie programme was presented by modern Swedish films (with Russian subtitles).

Watch the slideshow of the Nordic Days in Murmansk 2011.

A large number of exhibitions are still opened to the public, these are:

Photo exhibition of Denmark and Greenland (DK Kirova, 1st floor)

So different, but parts of one country, Denmark and Greenland are profiled by beautiful photographs, with quotations of famous northern travellers.

The exhibition Mind The Map! displayed on the outdoor screen in the centre of Murmansk.

An artist Olga Kiseleva associates an intense struggle for the Arctic with the era of great conquests, hence the name of the project – “The Arctic conquistadors 2011”. She mapped major geopolitical players and large corporations willing to control the Arctic.

“Surviving the Future” (Murmansk Regional Art Museum)

The artists from Nordic countries explore the climate change and political geography.

Facing the climate” (Murmansk Museum of Local Lore)

Swedish and Russian cartoonists  take an amusing and alarming look at climate change.

Book Exhibition of the Nordic writers (Murmansk Regional Library)

There are about 2000 books of Nordic writers exhibited in the Murmansk Regional Library, both by well-known classics and contemprorary writers, including winners of prestigious national awards. Many books are available in the original.

For more detailed information on the programme go here.