This article describes a collaborative event during the Arendal Week in Norway, where the Norwegian Composers Association, Altinget, and the Rafto Foundation joined forces for a conversation on the role of politics in conflicts, wars, and encounters with totalitarian regimes. The discussion revolves around whether musicians, artists, media, and culture can play a crucial role in uniting resistance against totalitarian regimes. It also explores how culture acts as a unifying and developmental force both within individual countries and on an international scale.

The conversation, led by Veslemøy Østrem, the editor-in-chief of Altinget, is anchored in the current situations in Ukraine and Iran. The participants discuss Norway’s cultural collaborations and the establishment of cultural infrastructure to support positive and democratic development worldwide. The focus is on exploring collective efforts to promote desired global development and understanding how culture and cultural policies can contribute to this goal.

The panel includes Veslemøy Østrem, Aage Borchgrevink (special adviser and author), Dr. Liliia Honcharevych (Ukraine’s acting ambassador to Norway), Fatemeh Ekhtesari (Iranian artist in opposition), Torstein Tvedt Solberg (Member of Parliament, Labour Party, Family and Culture Committee), and Ingjerd Schou (Member of Parliament, Conservative Party, Foreign and Defense Committee).

https://www.altinget.no/artikkel/foelg-arendalsuka-direkte-kunst-og-kulturs-betydning-og-rolle-i-konflikter-og-opproer-mot-totalitaere-regimer