PRESS RELEASE: On Saturday 20 June at 13:00, audiences, artists and the people of Harstad will gather in Generalhagen for the official opening of True Northern Arts Festival. The opening ceremony marks the start of the festival week, with speeches, music, artistic contributions and a festival atmosphere in the heart of Harstad town centre.
This year’s opening address will be delivered by Ingrid Lorentzen, Director of Ballet at the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet. Lorentzen has held the position since 2011 and is one of the most influential voices in the development of dance in Norway.
During this year’s festival, she will take on a dual role: first as opening speaker at the ceremony in Generalhagen, and later as Director of Ballet for the Norwegian National Ballet, which will visit Harstad that same evening with the opening performance Láhppon/Lost.
“True Northern Arts Festival has, over more than 60 years, established its position as a unique meeting place for art and audiences. I have strong memories from here myself, from my time as a performer. It is therefore a great joy and honour to return and give the opening address for this year’s festival – not least when the Norwegian National Ballet will also open the programme with Láhppon/Lost,” says Ingrid Lorentzen.
The performance takes the Kautokeino uprising as its point of departure and is choreographed by Elle Sofe Sara from Kautokeino.
“This is a work that connects past and present, giving body and voice to the story of the Kautokeino uprising. This was a dark chapter in our shared Sámi and Norwegian history, one that still casts long shadows into our own time. We are grateful to be able to bring this work to Harstad, and for dance to be given such a prominent place in this year’s programme,” says Lorentzen.
Festival Director Susanne Næss Nielsen is delighted that Lorentzen has accepted the invitation to open this year’s festival.
“Ingrid Lorentzen holds a unique position in Norwegian cultural life. She has led and developed the Norwegian National Ballet with great artistic force, and is a clear voice for art’s ability to create community. Precisely the communities that arise when people gather around powerful artistic experiences are also central to True Northern Arts Festival,” says Næss Nielsen.
The opening ceremony in Generalhagen is free and open to everyone. In addition to the opening address, the ceremony will feature music and artistic contributions from, among others, Always Drinking Marching Band, Katarina Barruk and figures from the dance performance Fløff.
Cover photo: Caroline Roka.