Tale ved åpningen av Oslo World Music Festival

Holdt 30. oktober 2012, Rockefeller, Oslo.
(Det talte ord gjelder).

Your excellencies,
dear friends of music,

Music has the power to do many things.
It can please us and entertain us.
And it can unite us in a common language.

It can bring people together and make us remember what we really are:
Independent, yet united.

The orchestra performing in tonight’s opening concert is a good example of music’s ability to unite.
El Gusto consists of Jewish and Muslim musicians,
And the members share a remarkable history.

They found each other through their music.
But in 1962 the war in Algeria forced them apart.
Thanks to their common love for music and the documentarist Safinez Bousbia, they were reunited after more than forty years of separation.

Their story tells us that music also carries the power to make a change.
To change people, and even society as a whole.

Since the beginning, Oslo world music festival has lent its ears to all of these powers of music.
And this year, the festival has chosen independence as its theme.

In this context independence is synonymous with freedom of speech, self- determination and liberty.
Sadly, these rights are tragically violated in many countries.
Therefore, people and artists with the courage to overcome great obstacles to do what they think is right, deserve our deepest admiration and support.

This year’s festival hosts bands and musicians who deserve our admiration for a number of reasons.
Like the Chilean band Illapu.
They had been playing Andean folk music for ten years when they were sent into exile by the Piochet regime in 1981.
After many years they returned, and they have become an important symbol of the Chilean revolution.

Also the Mali singer Fatoumata Diawara uses her position as a renowned and successful musician to direct attention to issues as women’s rights and the political situation in her home country.

And recently, Russian group Pussy Riot, has stood up against injustice and oppression.
They have courageous voices, and have been jailed for what they believe in.
The fact that they are here in Norway this week to talk about freedom of speech, is a great contribution to an ever important discussion.

Of course: music is so much more than politics.
And Oslo world music festival is a far greater whole than the sum of both its theme and its guests.

First and foremost: Oslo world music gathers some the world’s greatest artists of their fields.
And this week, we have the pleasing opportunity to listen to them play.

I congratulate Oslo world music festival for once again creating an important arena for music and expression.

And to all of you: please keep playing.

I hereby declare Oslo World Music Festival 2012 open.