Festspillkollektivet is the Festival's socially engaged arts programme that includes both private and public performances and projects outside of traditional concert venues.
Festspillkollektivet works on developing new ways of engaging people who have limited access to the arts and have difficulties with attending regular Festival events. The Bergen International Festival wants all residents of Bergen to have the opportunity to experience and be inspired by great art, regardless of their education, health, ethnicity, ability, age or financial circumstances.
Festspillkollektivet works with partners such as Kirkens Bymisjon, Røde Kors and Redd Barna, and with artist collectives and cultural institutions. Together we have visited communities in care homes, addiction centres, nurseries, hospitals, psychiatric wards, asylum centres, crisis centres, prisons, day centres for adults with learning difficulties and schools for children with learning difficulties. Festspillkollektivet simultaneously offers support and training for artists throughout these collaborative processes.
Voices of Papillon
In 2022 we are working on several Festspillkollektivet projects, such as the choir Voices of Papillon. This is a collaboration with Papillon, a multicultural meeting place for young people. The choir started in September 2021, as a continuation of a digital course in song-writing held during the spring.
Voices of Papillon’s spring season starts Monday 14 February, and the choir has room for more members! The rehearsals take place on Mondays at 16:00–18:00 at Bergen Internasjonale Kultursenter in Kong Oscars gate 15, and on 20 May there will be an end-of-season concert. Singing in the choir is completely free, but membership requires registration. Are you 16 years or older and want to join? Sign up here, and feel free to tip a friend!
Do you have any questions? Or do you want to stop by and see what our rehearsals are like? Get in touch by calling 973 16 077.
“Culture is important for good quality of life and mental health, and it is an essential part of being included in the community.”
Carte Blanche
Festspillkollektivet is also collaborating with the dance company Carte Blanche to develop workshops and performances for people on the autism spectrum and people living with dementia. In 2021, dance performances and workshops were held at Tveiterås school, a school for students with severe learning difficulties and in need for comprehensive special education, and at Christiegården, a respite care and day care centre for people with intellectual disabilities. This project will continue in 2022, and the project for people living with dementia is under development for 2022.
Other projects
Another multi-year project is Kitchen Garden, an art and kitchen garden project in collaboration with Bergen Prison, Bergen Kunsthall and artist Stacy Brafield.
Other projects for 2022 are concerts with Åse Britt Reme Jakobsen and Bjørn Tomren in untraditional venues. On 22 March they will play at Sandviken Hospital and in Bergen Prison.
As in previous years, there will be performances at nursing homes in Bergen during the festival period 25 May–08 June, and other exciting Festspillkollektivet activities are under development.
Festspillkollektivet is supported by the Kavli Trust.
