On Saturday 20 June at 14:00, the Festival Exhibition Vastustusvoima – We Are Resistance opens at Gallery of Northern Norway in Harstad. The press is invited to attend the opening, seminar, guided tours and interviews with artists and curators during True Northern Arts Festival.
The Festival Exhibition 2026 brings together contemporary artists affiliated with Kväänitaitajat – Kvensk Kunstnerforbund, as well as invited Nordic artists with cultural ties to Tornionlaakso/Tornedalen. The exhibition explores the role of art in cultural and social resilience – through identity, language, history and community.
The exhibition is curated by Monica Milch Gebhardt in collaboration with Kväänitaitajat – Kvensk Kunstnerforbund, and will be shown at Gallery of Northern Norway from 20 June to 16 August 2026. The opening takes place on Saturday 20 June at 14:00.
‘With the curatorial framework Vastustusvoima, the exhibition connects artistic practice to ongoing social processes relating to truth, reconciliation and cultural preparedness. The project aims to strengthen the Kven art field and contribute to greater visibility and discourse around Kven art in Norwegian contemporary art,’ says Sylvia Henriksen, Project Manager for the exhibition and part of the curatorial group at Kväänitaitajat – Kvensk Kunstnerforbund.
During the Festival there will be artist talks, guided tours, a seminar, language workshop, workshops for children and young people, a fireside conversation, sauna and performance. The press can meet artists, the curator and representatives from Kvensk Kunstnerforbund both at the opening and during the professional programme the following day.
‘The exhibition will contribute to greater knowledge of Kven history, culture and language, while also highlighting the role of art in strengthening identity and social resilience,’ says Henriksen.
Participating artists include Ingeborg Wie Henriksen, Eili Bråstad & Benedict Beldam, Ingebjørg Vatne, Karin Keisu & Josse Thuresson, Kenneth Mikko, Liv Bangsund, Maija Liisa Björklund, Inger Emilie Solheim, Ragnhild Margretha Mietinen Krüger, Solveig Ovanger, Sylvia Henriksen, Torgrim Halvari and Åsne Kummeneje Mellem.
The artist duo Karin Keisu & Josse Thuresson and Kenneth Mikko have been invited into the exhibition to initiate collaboration in the Barents Region and strengthen a lasting cross-border network. They have ties to the Tornedalen area and work with themes relating to language, identity, history and cultural belonging.
Programme to which the press is particularly invited
Saturday 20 June at 14:00
Opening of the Festival Exhibition 2026: Vastustusvoima – We Are Resistance
Venue: Gallery of Northern Norway
Preliminary opening programme:
Speech by Festival Director Susanne Næss Nielsen, speech by curator Monica Milch Gebhardt, speech by Kristin Mellem, Chair of Ruijan kvääniliitto – Norske kveners forbund, and an artistic contribution.
Sunday 21 June, 13:00–14:00
Guided tour of the exhibition Vastustusvoima – We Are Resistance
Venue: Gallery of Northern Norway
Sunday 21 June, 14:00–17:30
Seminar: Movements in Kven Art #6
Artist talks, panel discussion, language workshop and presentations.
Venue: Gallery of Northern Norway
Monday 22 June, 13:00–14:00
Guided tour of the exhibition Vastustusvoima – We Are Resistance
Venue: Gallery of Northern Norway
Friday 26 June, 13:00–16:00
Kvensk Kunstnerforbund: Fireside conversation, sauna and performance
Movements in Kven Art #6, fireside conversation with festival artists, Kväänilöyly #5, sauna and art performance.
Venue: VÅG Havbadstue
Interview opportunities
The following people are available for interview in connection with the opening and professional programme:
Monica Milch Gebhardt, External Curator
Sylvia Henriksen, Artist, Project Manager and part of the curatorial group at Kväänitaitajat – Kvensk Kunstnerforbund
Maija Liisa Björklund, Artist, Producer, Co-curator and board member of Kväänitaitajat – Kvensk Kunstnerforbund
Liv Bangsund, Artist, Producer, part of the curatorial group and board member of Kväänitaitajat – Kvensk Kunstnerforbund
All artists are scheduled to be present at the opening and during the seminar. Journalists are welcome to make contact in advance to arrange interviews.
Practical information
What: Festival Exhibition 2026: Vastustusvoima – We Are Resistance
When: 20 June–16 August 2026
Opening: Saturday 20 June at 14:00
Where: Gallery of Northern Norway, Harstad
Admission: Free
Curator: Monica Milch Gebhardt in collaboration with Kväänitaitajat – Kvensk Kunstnerforbund
Opening hours, Gallery of Northern Norway: 12:00–18:00
Press accreditation: Press wishing to cover other parts of True Northern Arts Festival are asked to register via the Festival’s press page as soon as possible.
Press images
Press images are available here. The names of the artist, work and photographer are included in the file names.
Image credit for the image from the event page:
Work by Liv Bangsund. Photo credit should be checked against the file name/image folder before publication.
Press contacts
Sylvia Henriksen
Project Manager for the exhibition / curatorial group at Kväänitaitajat – Kvensk Kunstnerforbund
Email: syhenr@gmail.com
Phone: +47 958 99 723
Maija Liisa Björklund
Board member of Kväänitaitajat – Kvensk Kunstnerforbund, Producer and Co-curator
Email: maijuli87@hotmail.com
Phone: +47 901 01 854