After more than three years of planning, the result was finally ready to be shown to the world. The festival showcased Nordic artists and their work in theater, music, dance, exhibits, literature, film, forum and debates. From Norway, 60 artists participated, each carefully selected by the Kennedy Center, which financed the Kennedy Center with help from the Nordic countries.
The Huffington Post described the festival as a symbol of a new power. “Nordic Cool is a display of the softer tools in the power toolbox. But it is important, to recognize that their power is ultimately based on their belief in universal values of human rights and freedoms. It is this belief that allows to reconcile their national interests with the needs and interests of the international community. In sum, "Cool Power" complements and transcends both hard and soft power. It is a display of the attractiveness of a group of countries, which in turn is based on both their domestic and international qualities, ones that really matter in the 21st century. Their strength lies in turning their diversity into a joint message. In return they each gain a lot of visibility. Tapping into this and communicating the mindset effectively must become a new imperative for the West."
For links to selected media coverage of Nordic Cool, please click here.
You can also find more information about the individual artists here.
The Norwegian participants:
- Winter Guests (Theater)
- National Theatre (Theater)
- Tord Gustavsen Ensamble (Music)
- Terje Isungset (Music)
- Gjermund Larsen Trio (Music)
- The Hemsing Sisters (Music)
- Gaup Sisters (Music)
- Unni Løvlid (Music)
- Carte Blanche (Dance)
- Vidar Sundstøl (Panel)
- Merethe Lindstrøm (Panel)
- Hanne Tømta (Forum)
- Snøhetta (Exhibition)
- Northern Lighting (Exhibition)
- Stokke (Exhibition)
- “All That matters is past” (Film)
- “The almost man” (Film)
- Pål Brekke (Interactive session)
- Chef Simon Idsø (Food)
- Chef Morten Solberg (Food)