10 Arctic artists
10 Arctic songs
10 Arctic communities
One Pan-Arctic vision
Looking at the world map, one can get the impression that the Arctic consists of a few scattered white dots at the edge of the world; unconnected, unimportant, uninhabited. In reality, the territories and peoples situated in the North are connected, both geographically, culturally and politically. They share the same historical and geo-political starting point: They are all part of modern nation states running north to south, with the capital situated in the south. The political power is located in the south, the economical power is located in the south, the power of definition is located in the south.
In the Arctic, most communication and contact is oriented within the nation states - north to south. The connection east to west is limited, not least today, when the current international situation has returned a political divide to the Circumpolar North. Both political and cultural institutions of cooperation, likte the the Arctic Council or the Arctic Arts Summit, are out of function, borders are closed and there is an international boycott of Russia.
The Arctic territories also share one more important experience: Not being able to participate in international arenas like the Olympics, or the Eurovision, under their own flag. All in all, there is a dire need to strengthen the cooperation and contact between the peoples and territories of the Circumpolar North.
Pan-ArcticVision is a respons to this need; an initiativ with a stated goal to join together people across the arctic, both indigenous and non-indigenous, to sing together, to built Pan-Arctic identity and community together, to strengthen local empowerment together. Pan-ArcticVision is welcoming all statements, lyrics and flags - under its slogan: Pan-ArcticVision - song, community, independence!
Pan-ArcticVision is both an art project and a sincere attempt to use the tools of art to change common sense and unite the North. The very first edition took place in the small community of Vadsø, Northern Norway, at 69 degree North, and online, at August 12, 2023, in cooperation with the music festival Varangerfestivalen. The second edition opened its doors October 12, 2024 at Katuaq culture centre in Nuuk, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland).
Only time will show if this can become a reoccurring event, a conceptual nomad moving through the Circumpolar North. This is unexplored territory, it is a utopian thought, it is the vision of the Pan-Arctic, moving through time and space.
International partner organizations:
- Varangerfestivalen, Vadsø, Finnmark (NO)
- Anchorage Museum, Anchorage, Alaska (US)
- Yukon Arts Centre and Music Yukon Whitehorse, Yukon (CA)
- Alianait, Iqaluit, Nunavut (CA)
- Katuaq, Nuuk, Kalaallit Nunaat (GL)
- Hitt Húsið / Músíktilraunir and Norræna Húsið, Ísland (IS)
- Norðurlandahúsið, Tórshavn, Føroyar (FO)
- Hiljaisuus ry, Kaukonen, Sápmi/Pohjois-Suomi (FI)
- Bdpop, Luleå, Norra Sverige (SV)
- Pikene på Broen, Kirkenes, Finnmark (Russian exile contact) (NO)
- Artlab Davvi, Nord-Norge/Sápmi (NO)
Pan-ArcticVision is a project by NORDTING, the Northern Assembly.
Pan-ArcticVision 2023, Vadsø (photo by Knut Åserud).
2023-participant Drengurinn Fengurinn, Akureyri, Island
Hosts for Pan-ArcticVision 2024 in Nuuk, Kalaallit Nunaat; Amund Sjølie Sveen and Nina Sikkersoq Kristoffersen (photo by Dustin J Patar).