Opening address at Norway Now – Norwegian cultural events in Brussels 2010-2011

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Minister of State, Viscount Etienne Davignon, chairman of Palais des Beaux-Arts, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, 

It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to the Conservatoire Royal and the opening of Norway Now. I am proud to say that this is the most extensive Norwegian cultural programme ever organised in Brussels, or Belgium for that matter. And I am pleased to conclude a day of political talks with this manifestation of modern Norway.  

So, why are we organising a programme like this? There are at least four good reasons. 

Firstly, because politics can learn a lot from the arts. About creativity, communication, patience and teamwork. Culture inspires politics. And, vice versa, politics and geography inspire cultural performers. That is why culture is an aspect of public diplomacy – and therefore part of modern foreign policy – and what you will see and hear tonight – in this extraordinary setting – is a real part of modern Norway.

Secondly, because cultural events serve as some of the best meeting places there are. People can find common ground when listening to a piece of music, when admiring a work of art, or when meeting authors and writers. 

And where – or if – there are barriers between nations caused by differences in language, political views or religion, communicating through art can be a way of revealing what we all have in common. And at times, culture can actually build bridges where traditional foreign policy cannot. Culture can re-establish trust and understanding. Perhaps not least because music, the visual arts, cinema, theatre and dance are – in a way – a universal language. 

Thirdly, because the arts can communicate the image and international perception of a country. The arts can show what is unusual about a country, or focus on similarities between nations, and thus strengthen ties between them. 

Norway Now, as the name suggests, is a reflection of my country as it is now. It showcases Norwegian artists today. 

That said, good art is never national, and this is worth mentioning here at the heart of Europe! National art so easily becomes narrow, complacent or barren. Good art is international, it finds resonance in other cultures, it seeks common ground and it reflects shared points of reference. 

Fourthly, culture is about freedom of expression, which is a fundamental human right in itself. The arts must be independent and free – in order to be able to provide a free zone, where controversial topics can be raised without harmful consequences. A voice has power, a novel or a play can be powerful, a painting or a song can have influence. 

What I am saying is this: culture can help us find new paths, new ways forward, help to cross thresholds, to enjoy our common heritage. And that activity in itself – staking out a path, looking for shared experience – is crucial in foreign policy. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Brussels is already an extraordinary meeting place for countless cultures and nations – and in many ways the perfect place for cultural events such as Norway Now. The programme will run until May next year and will include music, literature, architecture, cinema and graphic design, to mention just some of the areas covered. 

Norway Now is by no means a solo endeavour. It is the result of creative cooperation between the Norwegian Embassy in Brussels and three respected Belgian cultural institutions, Palais des Beaux-Arts (Bozar), Ancienne Belgique (AB) and Cinematek. These institutions serve as windows into many other cultures, reminding Belgians, Norwegians and other Europeans of the myriad of cultural expressions in our world. I would especially like to thank Bozar, AB and Cinematek for sharing your expertise and lending us your beautiful buildings. This has given us the opportunity to showcase Norwegian artists. Without international influences, Norwegian art would never have developed into what our partners here in Belgium call “radical”, “innovative” and “unafraid”. 

Creativity rarely thrives behind borders. Through cultural cooperation we also gain a sense of belonging to a wider context, with a larger frame of reference. We are Nordic citizens and Europeans as well as Norwegians. Norway is contributing to contemporary European cultural life – in Brussels, Berlin, Belgrade and Barcelona. 

If we turn our attention further north, people come from all over the world to the small Norwegian town of Risør – in a region very dear to me, the Norwegian South coast – to experience the atmosphere during its annual Festival of Chamber Music. 

To conclude: without international influences, foreign press and guests from abroad, it is highly unlikely that this music festival would have been named by the New York Times – among others – as one of the top 10 annual events in the world of classical music. 

Tonight, we will get a taste of what this remarkable festival offers its summer guests. It is a pleasure for me to officially open Norway Now, and I am honoured to introduce one of our finest artists and a world leading artist, Leif Ove Andsnes. He is here to perform together with the Risør Festival Strings. I hope you all enjoy Norway Now’s opening performance.