Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre participated in the folk festival for Bodø as European Capital of Culture, an event that was threatened by the extreme weather Ingunn and new storms ahead. But during the grand opening show in Bodø harbor, the weather was calm and almost windless.
With light effects, song, music and dance on an outdoor floating stage, Bodø marked that the city is the European Capital of Culture in 2024. Photo: David André Engmo/Bodø2024
The outdoor show took place on a floating stage that was miraculously undamaged by the hurricane. Up to 20,000 residents and visitors, including the Queen and the Prime Minister, saw a performance about the culture and history of the Norse with spectacular light and sound effects.
Queen Sonja, the Prime Minister and several other guests were impressed by the opening show in Bodø harbour. Photo: David André Engmo/Bodø2024
Bodø has been given the status of European capital of culture after being designated by the EU’s culture ministers. A capital of culture will bring Europe’s population closer together and showcase the diversity of its European culture. In Bodø there are over 1,000 events during the year, with everything from Sami week, concerts, theatre, dance, exhibitions to film and literature events.
Create connection
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister spoke at an opening event in Stormen Konserthus, after Queen Sonja had declared Bodø 2024 open.
– Today we are gathered in Bodø, and we are proud of Bodø, the first European capital of culture north of the Arctic Circle. Culture is creating connections to each other, to others in our country and to other nations, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in his speech.
Sami perspective
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was met by Sami coordinator for Bodø 2024, Maria Hernes Bær. Photo: SMK
The Sami perspective was strong throughout the opening event. Bodø 2024 has its own Sami coordinator, Maria Hernes Bær. The Prime Minister and Minister for Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery had a conversation with her and two from the culture festival Márkomeannu, Ane Margrethe Ugelvik and Anna Hagland, at the Sami meeting place in Glasshuset in the center of Bodø. They talked about how important Sami cultural events have been for their own Sami identity.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery in conversation about the Sami perspective during Bodø 2024. From left Anna Hagland, Ane Margrethe Ugelvik and Maria Hernes Bær. Photo: SMK
– It is nice that Sami culture is such an integral part of Bodø as a European capital of culture. It is noticed by many who come from outside. Sami culture characterizes cultural life in the north, and as a community we have a lot to learn from the history and cultural heritage of the Sami people, says the Prime Minister.