a programme year in the making

CAPITAL OF CULTURE YEAR umeå2014 Photo: Malin Grönborg. 5 8

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 a programme year in the making

CAPITAL OF CULTURE YEAR umeå2014 Programme content: Umeå2014 Production: Pondus Kommunikation AB Cover picture, book and sleeve: Northofsweden, Andreas Nilsson, Thinkstock, Per Enoksson and Garry Knight. Printing: Original, Umeå Book printing co-financed by: Swedbank

Published April 2013 Content 8 voices on Umeå2014 4–5

Introduction 6–9

Background 10–13

The seasons 14–15

Dálvvie (deep winter) 16–25

Gijrradálvvie (early spring) 26–33

Gijrra (true spring) 34–41

Gijrragiessie (early summer) 42–49

Giessie (summer) 50–57

Tjakttjagiessie (early autumn) 58–63

Tjakttja (true autumn) 64–71

Tjakttjadálvvie (early winter) 72–79

Initiatives 80–95

Co-creativity 96–99

The northern lands 100–103

Riga 104–105

Collaborations in Europe 106–107

Building for the future 108–111

How to get here 112–113

Those who are making it possible 114–119 8 voices on Umeå2014

“I think that we’ll have “Culture is one of the most more unusual things powerful forces behind growth happening here. Things and development. In Umeå we you don’t normally see have invested more in culture otherwise. And maybe per resident than other Swedish even a surprise! I would municipalities. Today Umeå is like to see David Guetta, one of Europe’s fastest growing a DJ that I really like a lot”. cities and in 2014 we’re taking William Billman, the next step. Taking our unique 10 years old, Umeå experiences as a starting point we want to work together with you to continue developing culture-driven projects through- out the whole of Europe. Join us on this journey!” Jan Björinge, Capital of Culture CEO, Umeå2014

“Umeå – European Capital of Culture is the northern- most European city to have been awarded this honour. Throughout the entire year the city will shed “Umeå University is recruiting researchers and students a beautiful light on its history, its people and their from Sweden and the rest of the world. Being European connection with the rest of Europe. Umeå2014 will Capital of Culture is strengthening and makes Umeå provide a unique opportunity to instil a rejuvenated more attractive and visible. The university is an active sense of pride in the city and surrounding region. part of the programme initiative. This investment is of We are very much looking forward to being a part of long-term importance both for us and for the develop- this chapter of European history”. ment of the entire region”. Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Lena Gustafsson, Vice-Chancellor Umeå University education, culture, language and youth issues 4 “Umeå2014 is a very important investment 8 voices on Umeå2014 for the entire Västerbotten region. We now have a unique opportunity to share the cultural traditions of Västerbotten with the citizens of Europe. Umeå2014 will also en- able us to build a modern northern region together with culture as our driving force”. Magdalena Andersson, County Governor, Västerbotten

“Umeå2014 provides an opportunity through “2014 is going to be a very special year for Sweden its content and format when Umeå, together with Riga, becomes the to provide visitors with European Capital of Culture. Being a capital of culture more knowledge about presents unique opportunities for both Umeå and the the contemporary and entire country to contribute to cultural development vibrant Sami culture”. in many different ways”. Michael Lindblad, Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, Minister of Culture Chairman Såhkie, Umeå Sami Association “Umeå2014 is the northernmost capital of culture ever appointed within the EU. This initiative will help raise the profile of the region’s fantastically rich resources. As the gaze of Europe turns to northern Sweden, the status of the region will rise which in turn will create new opportunities for tourism. But perhaps the greatest influence will be a belief in the future and in development – even for Piteå and other municipalities in the region”. Peter Roslund, Municipal Commissioner, Piteå 5 Sara Lidman. Photo: Ulla Montan Photo: Anna Öhlund.

Photo: Olga Ekaterincheva.

Photo: Johan Gunséus Photo: Malin Grönborg. 6 Introduction Welcome to Europe’s northern lands!

Umeå is a proud, forward-thinking city built around the eight Sami seasons that in today’s integrated and multifaceted represent the very essence of the northern Europe. A city built on participation and lands and provide a framework for the co-operation combined with passion cultural activities that await us in 2014. and curiosity. A warm welcome to all our local, regi- Culture is an essential part of building onal, national and international partners. a society where a sense of openness See you soon! allows the creativity of people to shape its future. For many years now we have Marie-Louise Rönnmark, Municipal been working hard to build a cultural city Commissioner/Chairwoman of the that reflects this philosophy. Capital of Culture Committee Which is why we are so delighted to invite you to our city. The preliminary programme we are presenting here is

7 Komeda. Photo: Kia Naddermier. Profilteatern. Photo: Sofie Ekholm.

Photo: Malin Grönborg.

GLASHUSET (the Glass House) Creating and influencing before and after 2014. Located in the main square in the heart of the city.

Sune Jonsson Centre of Documentary Photography. Photo: Sune Jonsson. The Glass House, Rådhustorget. Photo: Andreas Nilsson. 8 Introduction

Let’s go!

Hello! Umeå has been chosen as the Festivals and art exhibitions. Concerts, European Capital of Culture 2014 – a design projects and national sports events. unique opportunity to enable culture in Camps, conferences, choirs, excursions all its forms to get some well-deserved and European co-operation. space and recognition as a crucial part Right now we’re letting the programme of any multifaceted society. year mature and grow. We are planning, Two applications to the EU commission adjusting and making room for more lie behind the programme you are now projects and ideas before we finally raise looking at and the journey from ideas to the curtain. implementation has been long and event- There is still time and space for new ful. Through searching, euphoria, reflec- and unexpected events to take their place tion, looking to the future, doubt, chaos and in this programme. So what are we a goal-orientated approach to a defined waiting for? Let’s go! cultural policy we have finally arrived at this point and our programme! One year Fredrik Lindegren, of anticipated events created by people in Artistic Director, Umeå2014 Umeå and the northern regions in co-ope- ration with others from the rest of Sweden, Europe and the world. This is huge! We are happy and proud to be able to present this exciting selection of events happening in Umeå and the surrounding region during our tenure as European Capital of Culture 2014: performing arts, photography, dance, opera, pop, blues, jazz, tango, architecture and fashion. Photo: Fredrik Larsson. Photo: Fredrik

9 WHY IS UMEÅ A CAPITAL OF CULTURE?

Reflections by Leif Larsson, journalist and former culture editor at Västerbottens-Kuriren (a regional newspaper in Västerbotten).

It’s the autumn of 1986 and I am attending a of reasons why. Personally I’d like to use an culture conference at Hässelby Castle. Every- analogy to highlight a rather odd reason. one is there. At the podium a Norwegian cultural sociologist is holding up a full-page If you consider the EU as a political project advertisement placed by the municipality of through and through then the cultural scene in Umeå in Dagens Nyheter (a Swedish national Umeå could also be viewed in the same light. newspaper). An opera house, symphony orchestra, muse- ums, theatres, a host of festivals and an ener- “This is the future”, the man exclaims and goes getic rock scene all bear witness to this. To on to describe the grand visions of this medium- this you can add industrial design, architecture sized city and its mix of knowledge and culture. and art education in an impressive cluster down by the river. I am the only participant from Umeå and during the break everyone wants to talk to me. What’s All of this had been mainly created through going on ‘up there’? What are you doing? political decisions spanning 40 years, while Lund had been ‘preparing’ for around 1000 Never would I have guessed that 23 years later years, Uppsala at least 500 years and Gävle Umeå would be chosen as the European Cap- around 200 years. This was not simply a ital of Culture. But the cultural elite’s amaze- triumph for Umeå but a victory for purposeful ment over the bold initiative of Umeå‘s politi- cultural politics as a whole. cians was a sign of things to come. This was of course about cultural politics. Cultural politics However, cultural politics isn’t an ethereal con- and a belief in the future. cept, something that floats in the breeze. The roots of the capital of culture year must In September 2009 Umeå was competing along be grounded elsewhere. No other city in Swe- with Lund, Uppsala and Gävle for the title of den expresses the public sector’s amazing European Capital of Culture 2014. It was a post-war expansion better than Umeå. well-deserved bid and there are a number

10 NorrlandsOperan, The Marriage of Figaro. Photo: VK image archive. Marta, UIK. Photo: Johan Gunséus. Background

Ögonblicksteatern. Photo: Andreas Nilsson.

Refused. Photo: Andreas Nilsson.

Miles Davis at Umeå Airport. Photo: Lena Sondell/VK image archive. Umeå University. Photo: Mattias Pettersson. 11 Photo: Annakarin Drugge.

By the end of the 1950s this rather sleepy res- highlighted and began being celebrated during idential and regimental town suddenly accel- a special week every year in March. In the mid erated and started growing by 1,000 people a 1980s the city centre was given a facelift with year on average. By 1960 60,000 residents lived the arrival of a new library and civic centre. in Umeå. Today we number some 117,000. During this period the theatre association made huge strides, increasing its audiences tenfold in The arrival of the university was crucial in just a few years. laying the firm foundations for this unparalleled growth. And when in 1974 the state introduced Things got even better when the city’s ice hock- a new cultural policy the politicians in Umeå ey team Björklöven became Swedish champi- immediately set to work. Suddenly in the eyes ons in 1987 and during the 1990s Umeå Football of the south it was the ‘barren’ north that was Club qualified to the top division Allsvenskan, an graced with its own opera house! This new achievement that triggered a substantial expan- vision also incorporated the city’s jazz festival, sion of their stadium at Gammliavallen. Around which, with Lars Lysted as its driving force, the turn of the century UIK (Umeå’s women’s established itself as one of the country’s most football team) led the way, winning the Swedish distinguished events of its kind. championships and attracting fantastic crowds.

As soon as this journey began things quickly It is an impressive track record which gave rise picked up pace. The opera chamber ensemble to a broader theoretical superstructure. In 1987, became a sinfonietta which in turn became with Umeå as his starting point, national econo- a full symphony orchestra. Two theatre com- mist Åke E. Andersson launched his ‘K society’ panies, Ögonblicksteatern and Profilteatern thesis based on knowledge, creativity, culture went professional and the newly constructed and communication (in Swedish all these words Bildmuseet (Museum of Contemporary Art begin with ‘k’). This thesis formed the basis of a and Visual Culture) bridged the gap between new way of thinking about social development science and culture. and is now an accepted part of modern politics.

Gallery owner Stefan Andersson began work However, neither the public sector nor cultural on Umedalen’s Sculpture Park and the opera politics alone create art or culture – they merely company moved from makeshift premises in provide the right conditions. Above all else art the old civic centre to a restored fire station and culture come from creative people. Without and finally at the turn of this century (thanks to these artists, and not forgetting skilled organ- a clever property deal) into a purpose-built con- isers (some might say ‘bureaucrats’), things cert hall complete with a full-sized opera stage. would not have taken form the way they have.

Film, chamber music, folk and rock music all Another part of a progressive cultural city is an got their own festivals and Sami culture was active feminist movement. Drawing inspiration

12 Background from the renowned ‘Grupp 8’ (a feminist net- out farewell concert in Umeå in front of 3,000 work created in 1968 by eight women in Stock- ecstatic fans. holm) women play a vital role in local politics, with Margot Wikström leading the way. The road to 2014 hasn’t exactly been straight It was Margot, in her role as municipal com- or easy to travel. Two heads of culture have left missioner back in the 1980s, that represented the journey early. There have been fights about a new way of thinking. At the same time the money, art and controversial exhibitions – the university was laying the foundations for what latest in November 2012 centered on Sara Lid- today has become an advanced (and hopefully man’s quotations displayed in the pedestrian controversial) gender studies centre. subway next to the city’s railway station.

That men in Umeå’s modern culture are under Nazi lectures at the university, Nazis on the thea- close scrutiny can perhaps be attributed to tre stage, burnt-out Scan lorries, angry voices, the surprisingly high degree of equality in the urinating performing artists and artists accused municipality’s salary structure. of necrophilia have all contributed to the kind of disorder that is only to be expected of a cultural In Umeå women to a great extent make up the scene that wants to achieve something different. basis of cultural life both politically and public- ly. Marie-Louise Rönnmark (s) and Anna-Karin When taxpayers’ money funds culture it Sjöstrand (fp) have, from the outset, powered sometimes provokes strong feelings. But the capital of culture project forwards. This Umeå’s politicians need ‘ice in their blood’ to is indicative of all the initiatives driven by stand firm against populist and anti-culture women in Umeå which are now manifested in sentiment and combine this resolution with a women’s history museum at Kulturväven. the collective will of the municipality’s residents to keep public life free from the suggestion of But now, as everything starts moving forwards, xenophobia or racism. cultural politics is not the centre of things any more. When NorrlandsOperan moved to its All this, in these difficult times, is another sig- current location the old civic centre, which nificant part of what it means for a municipality was renamed ‘Galaxen’, became home to the that has been given the responsibility from its country’s most vibrant rock scene endorsed location in the north to shape that elusive phe- by the vegan and straight edge philosophies. nomenon we know as European culture.

The main symbol for this development was Leif Larsson rock band Refused who, according to leading experts, are on a par with rock legends such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. In December of 2012 Refused ended a world tour with a sell-

13 Photo: Emil Myrsell. (CC BT-NC 2.0)

Dálvvie (deep winter) 30 Jan–27 Feb Tjakttjadálvvie Season of Gijrradálvvie (early winter) tending (early spring) 21 Nov–29 Jan 28 Feb–29 Apr Season of Season of wandering awakening

Tjakttja Gijrra (true autumn) (true spring) 10 Okt–20 Nov 30 Apr–19 Jun Season of Season of driving force returning

Tjakttjagiessie Gijrragiessie (early autumn) (early summer) 29 Aug–9 Okt 20 Jun–10 Jul Season of Giessie Season of harvesting (summer) growing 11 Jul–28 Aug Season of contemplation

14 The Seasons THE EIGHT SEASONS of the PROGRAMME YEAR

The Samis – the EU’s only indigenous people, WITH RESERVATION FOR CHANGES! have always regarded the northern region The programme year has been formed as a borderless country. Ubmeje, (the Sami over several years and even now is not word for Umeå) is a part of Sápmi – the lands completely fixed. In just the same way that inhabited by the Sami people – and their the weather changes creative ideas and history, culture, livelihoods, religion and lang- projects also evolve over time. We would uage. The Sami calendar year is a way of therefore ask for your understanding should recording the shifting changes of the seasons certain elements change before the start and focusing on what is important in each and by the end of the capital of culture year. and every period. A large number of projects will be added And that is why we have divided our while others will be replaced or change capital of culture year into eight seasons that shape and form. embody the Sami’s calendar. The seasons Whatever the changes we are convinced have their own rhythm, formed by the Sami’s that the year will offer tens of thousands of cultural heritage and closeness to nature. unique ‘stories’ that will put the northern Every season has its own character and lands firmly on the map for ever! traits, just like the activities we have planned during the European Capital of Culture year. The complete capital of culture year will comprise hundreds of projects, among them Stet! main projects, festivals and free-standing programme activities. Certain projects and activities will reoccur every season and the programme will be continually added to.

15 16 Dálvvie

17 Photo: Per Lundberg Per Enoksson, Kollektivet.

Dálvvie – The season of tending The thick blanket of snow protects both soil and land. Under millions of sparkling snow crystals nature rests as she tends her delicate work as the world slows down. In its own way the severity of the barren winter tends the reindeer, causing them to move with gentle purpose in order to survive. Their hooves break through an almost metre-thick layer of snow in order to reach the lichen. Every day the protective winter ensures survival goes on. Only the furry one rests in its winter lair – the one that from the beginning of time has been blessed with a long rest during the harshest of seasons.

Sune Jonsson Centre of Documentary Photography. Photo: Sune Jonsson. The sun has retreated back to the northern firma- ment, spreading its hope, light and comforting rays, causing the snowflakes to glisten in appreciation.

Åsa Simma

Ladies’ world cup. Photo: Lars Klefbom. Fair City. Photo: Pär Wretling 18 Dálvvie Dálvvie (deep winter) 30 Jan–27 Feb

EXTRAORDINARY and welcoming whole in which the specific will meet the universal, large meets small and old meets young. When the day greets THE INAUGURATION the night reindeer will rush through the city – The Future Flows Through Us and reality will transform into a picturesque January arrives with darkness and cold. This experience of snow, ice, warmth and enchan- is how Umeå has always known it to be and ting song. Darkness will be filled with light, is why we have learnt a few things about stillness will become motion and warmth will darkness and cold. We know that darkness burn snow. Welcome to the European Capital should be greeted with light and cold with of Culture 2014! warmth. Our capital of culture year will not be any different other than this time we will have the whole of Europe’s help! At the start SELECTIONS FROM of our capital of culture year Umeå, Sápmi THE PROGRAMME and Europe will gather their collective forces for a three-day long inauguration. The result will be an experience packed with innovative SUNE JONSSON CENTRE OF performances, artistic collaborations and DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY captivating activities for everyone in the city. Sune Jonsson (1930–2009) was a widely res- International artists, local creators and pected and acclaimed author and documen- participating residents will be taking to tary photographer from Västerbotten county. open spaces and charging the town with He had an extraordinary ability to depict vibrant energy. Everything from theatres and contemporary events. In January restaurants to the Umeälven river and the ci- 2014 Västerbotten Museum formally opens ty’s population will be a part of this living flow. its Centre of Documentary Photography. All this is possible thanks to a collabo- Besides showing Sune Jonsson’s wide- ration between the city, arts institutions, ranging life’s work the centre will also be schools, independent artists, musicians, staging lectures, film viewings, exhibitions performers and, not least, the citizens of by guest photographers and other activities. Umeå. Together we will create a generous

19 SWEDISH CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEK, KLUNGAN – Comedic performance art WINTER – Top-class national sport Theatre and comedy group Klungan is once As early as the third week of 2014 you can again working with choreographer Birgitta enjoy sport at the highest national level when Egerbladh. Together they have developed a ’Swedish Championships Week’ hits Umeå. headstrong and innovative form of comedic Barely a month before the 2014 Winter Olym- performance art. For their third collaboration pics get under way in Russia’s Sochi athletes the group has chosen to focus on sound and from all over Sweden will be competing for is asking the question: “What’s making that national medals in some 20 events. Swedish noise?” They offer a comical, choreograp- championships week is a project run by Riks- hed performance revolving around sounds idrottsförbundet (the Swedish Sports Confe- and what makes them. The world premiere deration) and SVT (Swedish public service is at Sagateatern in Umeå in January 2014. television company). Umeå is the host city for the Swedish Championships Week in 2014. THE MARVELLOUS IS ALWAYS The aim of the week is to hold Swedish cham- BEAUTIFUL – Surrealism in focus pionships in various sports in a single city over Dream and reality, man and nature, ima- the course of seven days. Swedish Champi- gination’s freedom and the instinctive. onships Week is open to the Swedish Sports Bildmuseet starts 2014 off with surrealism’s Confederation’s 69 member federations. boundary-crossing ideas and forms of ex- pression. Besides paintings, sculpture and THE SAMI CHINESE PROJECT photography ‘The marvellous is always – A global dance performance beautiful’ exhibition also features fashion, Chinese culture takes a thrilling role in design and literature from this major Europe- Umeå’s capital of culture year. Norrlands- an movement. Operan, together with the Chinese dance company TAO Dance Theater, will create a EUGEN ONEGIN – Opera dance and music performance that has the Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugen Onegin, goals not only of uniting these two disciplines which is being performed at Norrlands- but also of uniting the local and the global. Operan in 2014, holds a special position as To reach these goals Chinese and Sami mu- the most played and loved of Russian operas. sicians are working closely with one another The opera is based on a poem by Alexander on the project. Simon Issát Marainen (from Pushkin and revolves around Tatjana, the the band Árá) and Axel Andersson (from young country girl who falls haplessly in the bands Glesbygd’n and Árá) are both love with the restless heartbreaker Eugen contributing compositions. Onegin. Tchaikovsky painted the story with

20 Umefolk. Photo: Bjarte Edvardsen. Dálvvie

Bildmuseet Public space for contemporary art and visual expression

© Katarina Pirak Sikku Skin 4,

The Sami Chinese Project. Photo: Axel Andersson. Dorothea Tanning, La Grotte © Moderna Museet. 21 such sensitivity and palpable empathy that it grass. It is being created by internationally has a rightful place amongst opera’s master- famous Turkish artist Mehmet Ali Uysal. pieces. Peter Mattei and Maria Fontosh take This project has been contributed to both the title roles. Eugen Onegin is being presen- with ideas and finance in collaboration ted as an opera concertante. with Balticgruppen. It is one element in an ambition to enrich the area around our river and Umeå Arts Campus with public art. INITIATIVES URBAN FORUM Read more about general projects and – The eight seasons’ park recurring themes on pages 80–95. As part of developing the city area between Umeå’s bridges, Lugn och Ro – de åtta års- 8 SEASON CONCERTS tidernas park (Peace and Quiet – the eight – Beethoven and Beyond seasons’ park,) is officially being opened The ‘season of tending’ concert is Beethoven during the ‘season of tending’. Through a and Beyond. Beethoven’s music in general co-creative process the residents will be and his nine symphonies in particular have encouraged to fill the park with contents an extraordinarily significant position in that play with scales, functions, colours and European classical music. In Beethoven materials. In this way the park will become a and Beyond his nine symphonies are given dynamic place that contributes to energising particular attention while at the same time the river area in central Umeå. Many different a contemporary take is provided by nine activities will be taking place throughout 2014. commissioned works – one for each symp- hony. These new works are being composed 8 sAmi artists – Katarina Pirak Sikku by nine different composers and performed Can sorrow be inherited? This is the ques- by NorrlandsOperan’s symphony orchestra tion artist Katarina Pirak Sikku asks in her under the baton of Rumon Gamba. project on Swedish racial biology’s studies of the Sami population. Her exhibition, in 8 X ART – Skin 4 by Mehmet Ali Uysal which she gives a new perspective on the Skin 4 is a permanent artistic installation. It history of Swedish science, can be seen will be ready just in time for the start of our at Bildmuseet in 2014. capital of culture year. Sculptural in form, Skin 4 is a nine-metre high wooden clothes peg that is integrated into the surrounding

22 Beethoven and Beyond. Peter Mattei. Maria Fontosh. Dálvvie

Photo: Malin Grönborg. 100 Migratory. Photo: Mikael Rutberg. 23 Photo: Andreas Gradin.

CHALLENGING POWER ROCK ART IN SÁPMI – 100 Migratory – Pojken, flickan och muren Glass artist Monica L Edmondson’s hundred ‘Pojken, flickan och muren’ (The boy, the girl glass vessels have returned from their world and the wall) is a theatre piece for children travels and go on show in the 100 Migratory created by dramatist Camilla Blomkvist and exhibition at Västerbotten Museum. The based on the Ulf Stark book of the same vessels have migrated in and out of various name. It is being performed in Umeå schools environments, countries and worlds. By and also going on tour. This piece together linking Sami tradition, Swedish glass and with ‘With my eyes only’ are Ögonblicks- handicrafts the artist is seeking not only to teatern’s major contributions for 2014. show the vessel as both a messenger and a metaphor for man but also to raise issues FAIR CITY – Theme: Food such as affiliation, identity, origin and migra- In the ‘season of tending’ this Fair City project tion. As a part of the exhibition dancer focuses on food with sustainability as the key Carmen Olsson is creating a performance word. Pupils in Hörnefors (a short distance in collaboration with NorrlandsOperan. Influ- from Umeå) in collaboration with the Gastro- enced by her Nordic and Spanish heritages, nomy programme at Umeå University have Carmen Olsson has developed Mibudo, developed new recipes showing how they her own personal stylising of the Japanese imagine our region’s food in the future. dance form of Butoh – Mibudo. It is charac- terised by precision and a deep connection RIVER STORIES – Jukkaslåtar captured in every move. The exhibition In Jukkaslåtar (Jukka’s tunes), musician opens 1 February 2014 at 14.00 at the Gunnar Idenstam recreates personal memo- Västerbotten Museum. ries of growing up in Jukkasjärvi by Tornälven (the Torne river). In a glorious melting pot the sounds of organ, violin, saxophone and digital FESTIVALS computer sounds blend with Sami song per- formed by Sofia Jannok and joik from Simon Marainen. Idenstam performs Jukkaslåtar in UMEFOLK 2014 – Folk and world music Teg’s church at Folk- och världsmusikgalan ‘Umefolk’ is an annual folk music festival. (Folk and World Music Gala) between In our capital of culture year it is being 20–23 February. He then takes the arrange- combined with Folk- och världsmusikgalan ment on tour throughout the county. (Folk and World Music Gala). Umefolk is a

24 Umefolk. Photo: Bjarte Edvardsen. Dálvvie

popular meeting point for practitioners and music aficionados alike.

winter city 2014 Winter city is a much-appreciated tradition in Umeå. In 2014 it is being developed into a celebration of our long winter and the endless opportunities for activities and experiences offered by the snow, ice and cold. In the year’s coldest months we trans- form the city into an arena for winter expe- riences. It features installations such as an exquisitely crafted, exciting snow fortress and a centrally located snowboarding park. The initiatives of residents are captured and added to with the know-how of experts and artists. Exchanges of ideas and skills with other winter cities will boost the event and build the contact networks Umeå needs to be a first-class winter city for 2014 and the future! Winter city is an important element in the inauguration and will be a prominent part of the city’s scenography throughout this cold season.

And this isn’t all! See the current programme at www.umea2014.se

25 26 Gijrradálvvie

27 Strömpilen. Reindeer parking. Photo: Eva Conradzon. Per Enoksson: Ski Star.

Gijrradálvvie – The season of awakening Each day lengthens a ptarmigan’s step at a time, reviving. Icicles drip tears of joy, the awakening conjures forth movement. Expectant reindeer cows, bearing new life within them, gaze towards the northwest. Underneath the blanket of snow the soil’s desire to awaken lives on. The reindeer cows know. Soon it will be time to return Illustration: Marie Persson. to the same snow-free patches that have welcomed their calves year after year.

Åsa Simma Photo: Malin Grönborg.

PROFILTEATERn An arena for fringe theatre

Photo: Andreas Nilsson. Profilteatern. Photo: Andreas Nilsson. 28 Gijrradálvvie Gijrradálvvie (early spring) 28 Feb–29 Apr

SELECTIONS FROM THE Events and activities take place at Väster- PROGRAMME botten Museum and other venues around the city. Ubmejen Biejvieh has become a natural meeting point for Sami from the whole of HORROR THEATRE Sápmi (the lands inhabited by the Sami – Horror in focus on the stage people). Sami culture comes to the fore at this For five weeks of our capital of culture year time and excites the interest of local people Umeå will be a meeting place for horror afi- and tourists alike. The organiser is Såhkie cionados. Discover, if you dare, a festival that Umeå Sameförening (Såhkie – Umeå Sami takes the performing arts as its starting point Association), a body that works to spread and continues, via the film world, to music information about the Samis and Sami cultu- and science. Festival organiser Profilteatern re and aims to safeguard and promote Sami is taking this opportunity to stage its own per- interests at an exhibition being held at the formances of Utbrott (Outbreak) and the now Västerbotten Museum. classic En kvinna i svart (A woman in black). Guest troupes from other European countries SNOW CASTLE WINTER TALE are also featured in the current schedule. Vintersaga i snöslott (Snow castle winter tale) is a collaborative project in which the UBMEJEN BIEJVIEH municipality’s streets and parks department – A natural meeting place in Sápmi builds, the culture teachers at Kulturcentrum Naturally enough you will still be able to enjoy narrate and children act, react and interact. the popular Sami week (Ubmejen Biejvieh in Come and be part of a true winter tale in Sami) in 2014. This time the theme is Sápmi northern Europe’s most beautiful and im- yesterday, today and tomorrow/Sábmie pressive snow castle! juktán, údne jah båhtije ájggáje. Among the programme items are Sami concerts, art MADE IN SÁPMI shows, handicrafts exhibitions, lectures, films, With quality craftsmanship, design and theatre and dance. Sami week coincides handicrafts at its centre the Made in Sápmi with our sports holidays and therefore also exhibition raises questions about traditional features many outdoor activities for children. skills, change and identity. The exhibition is

29 being produced in collaboration with Sámi The texts in this work are taken from Följ Duodji (the Sami Crafts Foundation) and stigen (Follow the path), a collection of Ájtte (the Swedish Mountain and Sami poems by Paulus Utsi. Museum in Jokkmokk). 8 x ART – Convoy THE SPRING FORWARD FESTIVAL Convoy is an installation and performance – Young dancers that takes its inspiration from Sami tradition, Spring Forward is an annual dance festival ecology and mythology. Convoy seeks to in which young dancers and choreographers mobilise and activate our shared responsi- showcase their works to the public. The festi- bility to achieve sustainable development. val visits a new city every year. In the capital It does this via a collective performance that of culture year 2014 it is coming to Umeå. uses symbols such as growing grass and The festival is an initiative of Aerowaves – prams. The prams symbolise delicate fra- a European dance network that is active in gility. At the same time they also represent 36 countries. During Spring Forward it will gentle safekeeping and hope for the future. be possible to make contact with dancers Gunilla Samberg, an Umeå-based artist, is from throughout the whole of Europe. the mastermind behind Convoy. Umedalen Skulptur (a sculpture park located just out- side the city) is just one of the many places INITIATIVES where she has works on display. Convoy will be staged in central Umeå throughout the Read more about general projects and entire exhibition. recurring themes on pages 80–95. CHALLENGING POWER 8 SEASON CONCERTS – Tantflickans & Flicktantens dag – Från mörker till ljus Tantflickans & Flicktantens dag (Old ladies’ In this ‘season of awakening’ concert and young girls’ day) is a theme day that NorrlandsOperan’s symphony orchestra seeks to inspire audiences to an awakened and the Sångkraft chamber choir perform interest in equal opportunities. Research Från mörker till ljus (From darkness to light) from the TantForsk! and FlickForsk! Networks by Estonian composer Mirjam Tally. Based will be presented during the day. TantForsk! on both minimalism and modernism, Tally’s is studying a group that was often previously works experiment extensively with tone and ignored in research – old ladies. FlickForsk! colour. Tally is an internationally famous carries out gender-aware research into the Estonian artist whose pieces have been history, culture, lives and social conditions performed throughout Europe and the USA. of young girls.

30 8 season concerts. Mirjam Tally. Photo: Marko Feklistoff.

NorrlandsOperan Gijrradálvvie One building, many stages

8 × Art. Convoy © Gunilla Samberg.

Umeå Open. Photo: Andreas Nilsson.

Spring Forward festival. Photo: Jan Komarek. Old ladies’ and young girls’ day. Photo: Madelene Edlund. 31 Foto: Felipe Tofani (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0).

FAIR CITY – Theme: space RIVER STORIES – Mánáj vuöllie In this part of the Fair City project our gazes In the ‘season of awakening’ the River turn towards space. This Nordic project in- Stories project is a joint performance resul- volves Kulturverket, Umevatoriet (the Umeå ting from the coming together of two choirs: observatory) and pupils from Umeå, Viborg NorrlandsOperan’s children’s choir and a and Akureyri. Together they have created children’s joik choir. This is a meeting of not modern myths and new constellations. Thus, just two choirs but of two different cultures in the ‘season of awakening’, the project and traditions. The project facilitates a cultu- can be said to use a newly awakened starry ral and musical exchange in which new life heaven to present the children’s view of im- is breathed into old traditions thanks to some portant stories from their day-to-day lives. one hundred children and young people. This performance is the finale for the project, FAIR CITY – Theme: water which has been running since autumn 2012. Just in time for World Water Day on 22 March this Fair City project focuses on our most important resource – water. In collabo- FESTIVALS ration with Umeva (a company involved with water and waste management), pupils from Holmsund and Obbola take a closer look at LITTFEST – A festival of the written word this indispensable natural asset and work With around one hundred international and on visions for the future. Swedish authors taking part, Umeå’s lite- rature festival is now an annual highlight. ROCK ART IN SÁPMI – Jag är tusen år Littfest is held in Umeå Folkets Hus (the The theatre piece Jag är tusen år (I am city’s civic centre) and offers seminars, talks, a thousand years old) builds on the Sami workshops, exhibitions and time to browse culture’s unbroken traditions from the time through the many books that form the heart of rock paintings and petroglyphs. Taking of the festival. Several writing competitions part are some of the most popular joik per- will be organised and prizes awarded. Crow- formers and actors from two Sami theatres, ning Sweden’s largest annual competition Giron Sámi Teáhter in Kiruna and Beaivvás for novels, the ‘Umeå municipality short story sámi nasunála teáhter in Kautokeino. The prize’ is one of these. The festival gets under- piece has its world premiere in March 2014. way in week 11.

32 Gijrradálvvie

Umeå Open – Grand Slam The Storyteller Festival is arranged by Kultur Umeå Open is a part of Grand Slam 2014, Skellefteå, Västerbottensteatern, Skellefteå a project that aims to establish Umeå as Museum and Västerbotten Museum in colla- one of the world’s leading and most vibrant boration with a number of local organisers. music capitals. The festival is one of Sweden’s largest indoor rock festivals and a popular HOUSE OF METAL meeting point for music lovers throughout – Norrland’s largest hard rock festival the north of Sweden. Grand Slam, which in- This festival has been held at Umeå’s civic cludes Umeå Open and Pop Up, is arranged centre every year since 2007. In our capital by Humlan, a non-profit cultural organisation of culture year House of Metal will open for in Umeå. visitors in week 9! Festival-goers can enjoy listening to around 25 bands from Sweden STORYTELLER FESTIVAL IN SKELLEFTEÅ and the rest of the world. House of Metal – Storytelling power for all has the ambition of becoming Sweden’s For a whole week Berättarfestivalen (the best metal festival. ‘Storyteller Festival’) fills not only Skellefteå, the storytellers’ town, but also the entire 12 POINTS JAZZ area with “storyteller power” and listening – Jazz from all over Europe enjoyment for everyone. You are welcome This festival showcases young, creative to take part in over one hundred activities and ambitious jazz musicians from all over that demonstrate the enchantment of story- Europe. Drop in on the festival when you telling. Storyteller cafes, seminars, courses, visit Umeå in 2014. Dublin is the true home competitions, storyteller theatre and much of 12 Points Jazz, which is staged every other more help make up this week. The various year in one of Europe’s young, vibrant cities.

activities in the Storyteller Festival are pre- 12 Points Jazz. sented by storytellers from the region and guests from Sweden and Europe. Together they are keen to show that storytelling can be everything from a carefully repeated story or a tool in pedagogic situations to a spon- taneous exchange of memories that enable us to pass on our cultural heritage. Be part of this proud storytelling tradition yourself!

This programme is being constantly updated at www.umea2014.se

33 34 Gijrra

35 Photo: Inta Ruka. Per Enoksson. The State’s flagship.

Gijrra – The season of returning The days and nights are light now. A dea- fening rumble lets loose the ice. The living watercourses tickle the land, enticing the greenery to return. May is Miessemánnu – the calf month. It is now that the young take their first faltering steps. To the safe, familiar patches of snow-free ground on the mountain slopes, the same familiar grounds, they return year after year. The

Zhang Huan, Family Tree, 2000. © M+ Sigg Collection. calves gather strength, collecting courage for life’s journey ahead.

Åsa Simma

SPARKEN Umeå skateboard park

Photo: Per Lundberg Zhang Xiaogang, Bloodline Series, 1998. © M+ Sigg Collection. 36 Gijrra Gijrra (true spring) 30 Apr–19 Jun

SELECTIONS FROM major cities and her work has won many THE PROGRAMME grants and prizes.

ANNÉE OLOFSSON – Exhibition at 2014 new Västerbotten authors Galleri Andersson/Sandström – Children writing books One of Sweden’s most significant contem- This project gives 2,000 of the county’s porary photographers will be presenting an children and youths the opportunity to write entirely new set of large-scale photographs and publish a book. As part of the celebra- that have never been shown before. This is tions the authors can present and sell their an incredibly strong set. She has been wor- works at a large book fair in Umeå in May. king on it for three years and, thematically, Umeå Legend Club and Tellus, a storytellers’ it differs markedly from her earlier work. It association, are behind the project. revolves around environments that, at first sight, can be perceived as romantic idylls. CONTEMPORARY CHINESE ART However, behind the facades, the underlying In the summer of 2014 the halls of Bildmuseet depictions are of involuntary isolation and will be filled with a major exhibition of Chine- life situations over which there is no control. se art from recent decades. The pieces going on show are from one of the world’s foremost NORRLAND PASSION – Innovative collections of contemporary Chinese art, the adventure in a circus tent M+ Sigg Collection. M+ is Hong Kong’s new Norrländsk passion (Norrland Passion) is museum of visual culture and is due to open a large, innovative, theatrical adventure in in 2017. a circus tent. Three young Norrland dra- matists have each written a piece. Together INTA RUKA – Photographs from Latvia these three works form Norrländsk passion, Photographs by Inta Ruka, the internationally a showcase of what northern Sweden is famous Latvian photographer, are being capable of producing. The project paves the shown at Västerbotten Museum. Since the way for new meetings, widened networks 1980s she has taken captivating portraits and improved collaborations between of people in sparsely populated areas and Västerbotten and Europe.

37 Crossing Boarders Camp seminars and master classes. It kicks off During the summer the charitable skateboar- with Live Art Marathon, a public programme ding foundation Crossing Boarders is holding of performances. This offers a wide range of Crossing Boarders Camp. This is an innovati- artistic and cultural forms of expression from ve camp activity for people aged between Europe and the Middle East. The meeting 13 and 18. There is a deliberate focus on girls. focuses on cross-disciplinary and norm- The goal is to increase access to leisure critical creativity and is arranged by Teater- activities for under-represented groups. centrum and European sister organisations. At the same time participants will be able to explore how digital network platforms can INITIATIVES increase accessibility and contribute to inter- cultural creativity and collaboration. Read more about general projects and recurring themes on pages 80–95. FAIR CITY – Theme: communication Pupils from southern Umeå work creatively 8 SEASON CONCERTS on how they see communication in the city – The Shape of Punk to Come of tomorrow. How do we really communicate The ‘season of returning’ concert is an and why? Kulturverket’s artists and Umeå orchestral interpretation of The Shape of University’s HUMlab address the questions Punk to Come, the last album of hardcore and let the children lead the way. band Refused. This legendary Umeå band is a milestone in punk’s history. URBAN FORUM Refused put Swedish hardcore scene – Umedalen adventure playground on the world map. The Shape of Punk to The ‘season of returning’ sees the inau- Come is now being rewritten and arranged guration of Äventyrsleken på Umedalen as an orchestral version to be performed by (Umedalen adventure playground), a new NorrlandsOperan’s symphony orchestra. meeting place for all those who like to play and discover. A district party based on the CHALLENGING POWER local residents’ interests (e.g. graffiti, choir – Unlimited! European OFF Meeting singing and acrobatics) signals the opening. Unlimited! is a networking meeting for pro- The adventure playground has been fessional practitioners of fringe performing created through an active dialogue with arts. The meeting comprises workshops, Umedalen residents.

38 8 season concerts. The Shape of Punk to Come. Elsa and Ida, Crossing Boarders Camp. Gijrra

Photo: Sarah Naut.

scharinska villan Historical music arena

Rock Art in Sápmi. Petroglyph, Stornorrfors. Umedalen Skulptur, Jaume Plensa. Photo: Galleri Andersson/Sandström. 39 RIVER STORIES – Crescendo participants in over 300 programme items On the 31st of May 2014 400 young people will the event provides twenty-four non-stop be getting onto a stage at the old prison site hours of culture in the city. The programme in Umeå to perform Crescendo, a mammoth is presented by more than 150 different orga- concert organised by Kulturakademin nisers to tens of thousands of visitors – an ex- (the Culture Academy) as part of the River ample of co-creativity at its best! Entry to all Stories project. Crescendo is a cross-border the events is free and the entire twenty-four collaboration in which Västerbotten music hours offer many extraordinary cultural ex- schools are participating along with several periences. Umeå Kulturnatta is celebrating choirs from Helgeland in Norway. Respon- its 10th anniversary in 2014. sible for the music are composers Arvid Martinsen and Jonas Knutsson, who is also 2 DAYS IN UMEÅ – Youth scene providing the band. This capital of culture year 2014 contribution comes from Umeå Fritid Unga (a municipal ROCK ART IN SÁPMI – Find new rock art body representing the interests of young In 2013 the Rock Art in Sápmi project is run- people). During a two-day music festival ning a competition to find new rock art in around 100 different music/dance acts will Västerbotten. The winner will be announced perform on five different stages as Umeå has and the find presented during the capital the honour of holding Sweden’s largest drug- of culture year 2014. Besides their prize the free youth festival, Livet är en fest (Life is a winner will also receive recognition for their party). This is the annual festival that Fritids- find. The jury comprises archaeologists from forum (“Leisure Forum”) holds for all youth Västerbotten Museum and Umeå University.

FESTIVALS

UMEÅ KULTURNATTA – Twenty-four hours of culture Umeå Kulturnatta (Umeå culture night) is the largest and most comprehensive regularly held culture event in Umeå. With over 2,500

40 The MADE festival Photo: Lena Brylle (CC BY-NC 2.0). Nina Hagen, Umeå2014 ambassador. Photo: Roger Degerman. Gijrra

club members throughout Sweden. Partici- pation, diversity and having fun together are the key concepts. For ten years now this festival, which mo- ves around the country, has been organised by and for young people. Various workshops, talks, discos and LAN and TV game competi- tions are being arranged.

MADE – Music, Art, Dance, Experience MADE is a performing arts festival regulary held in Umeå. It started in 2006 and is contini- ously developing the festival for our capital of culture year. The festival champions the un- expected and builds its programmes around international, national and local performers and artists. MADE is a historically unique fes- tival with genre-mixing forms of expression. This is exemplified by NorrlandsOperan’s vision ‘A playground for new expressions’.

Get involved! See more at www.umea2014.se.

41 42 Gijrraglessie

43 Gammlia. Photo: Petter Engman, Västerbotten museum. Per Enoksson. Gentik between 7 and 11.

Gijrragiessie – The season of growing Early summer, the earth slowly clothes itself in green, adorns itself in the colours Gammlia of the plants. Cautiously and fumbling, Västerbotten museum she stretches out into the warm air. Crops and open-air complex take on strength. The trees’ leaves become bolder, allowing the wind to play with them. Mosquitoes drive the reindeer herds to the upland glaciers. We prepare to move to the mountains where the calves have always stayed and where they have always grown in their protective herds.

Åsa Simma

Umeå Institute of Design. Photo: Annakarin Drugge.

Sångkraft. Photo: Johan Gunséus. Bloom. Photo: Umeå Tourist Office. 44 GijrraGiessie Gijrragiessie (early summer) 20 Jun–10 Jul

SELECTIONS FROM of several international rankings and is an THE PROGRAMME inspiring meeting place for creative people.

TRADITIONAL SAMI HEALING A Choral Midsummer Light’s THEN AND NOW – Exhibition Dream – International choir festival In the ‘season of growing’ two bodies, the A Choral Midsummer Light’s Dream is Centre for Sami Research and Umeå’s Med- Umeå’s international choir festival arranged icinhistoriska museet (Museum of Medical by the Sångkraft chamber choir. The 2014 History) are inaugurating a new exhibition festival will have the whole of Umeå singing about Sami healing. The venture is sup- in the lightest week of the year – midsummer! ported by the Sami parliament. For several The programme includes concerts, work- hundred years Sami culture has been gathe- shops and a European composition written ring knowledge on how we can heal and especially for the festival. prevent injuries and illnesses. This exhibition lets you experience Sami healing’s develop- Design Research Society 2014 ment – from the past to the present day! During midsummer week Umeå welcomes One part of the exhibition is a herb garden you to the Design Research Society 2014 in which some of the most important plants conference. The conference, which is the are being grown for use later on in a work- world’s foremost in design research, is held shop where, in collaboration with Umeå Uni- every other year at different locations. 2014 versity’s Department of Chemistry, extracts is its first journey to the Nordic countries. The will be prepared and tested in various ways. conference aims to bring together leaders in its field with a view to developing tomorrow’s BLOOM – Adorning all Umeå design research. Umeå has traditionally always had a com- Umeå Institute of Design (UID) is on the prehensive and detailed floral programme Umeå Arts Campus next to the Umeälven known as Bloom. In 2014 this programme river and is home to students and teachers is being complemented with various them- from around the world. UID features at the top es designed to generate collaborations

45 with residents, experts and artists etc. performance in Umeå’s Noliahallen brings Bloom is a thought-provoking and beauti- together around 400 participants, including ful embellishment of Umeå. It also gives Olympic-level sportspeople, soloists, a new perspective on the city’s flowers. NorrlandsOperan’s symphony orchestra, Our parks will be displaying everything young athletes and choirs. David Moss is from edible plants to instructively com- responsible for the concept and direction. posed flower beds and top-class designs Prepare yourselves for a fascinating and from celebrities in the gardening world. unexpected collision of sport and music!

CULTURE FOR SENIORS – CULTURE 8 x ART – Vasaplan, the social garden AND HEALTH – Jättepicknick In the ‘season of growing’ Umeå’s Vasaplan, Jättepicknick (Gigantic Picnic) is an annual a perpetually busy bus terminus, is trans- event in Döbelns park. It is also the start of formed into a social garden. The 8 x konst the park’s entire summer programme. The (8 x art) project gives the terminus a new programme covers everything from music face filled with, for example, plants and and sing-alongs to boules and guided tours of allotments. This is a place for exhibitions, the surroundings. Our senior citizens meet in meetings, concerts and other types of social the park, have fun and enjoy the picnics they activity. Umeå’s vision is to increase its popu- have brought along. In 2014 the event will be lation to 200,000 by 2050. Public spaces must extra special as senior citizens will be able to therefore be transformed to meet new needs. experience a European take on Jättepicknick Just like Vasaplan in the ‘season of growing’! and the subsequent summer programme. 8 SAMI ARTISTS – Liselotte Wajstedt Liselotte Wajstedt is a script writer, director INITIATIVES and filmmaker. Her films often move in the borderland between documentary and Read more about general projects and experimental art film. In 2014 Bildmuseet recurring themes on pages 80–95. premieres her new film project called The Lost One. This sees her go in search of her 8 SEASON CONCERTS – Stadionmusik family’s history and her Sami roots. The ‘season of growing’ commences with Stadionmusik (Stadium music), a dramatic FAIR CITY – Theme: travelling performance that, in an innovative way, The Fair City project in the ‘season of mixes the ingredients of arena sport with growing’ focuses on travel. Be Green (a contemporary classical music. This arena project that works for a better and more

46 Culture for seniors, Gigantic Picnic. Liselotte Wajstedt. Photo: Lisa Kejonen. Gijrragiessie

T3 arena Umeå’s largest football and events arena

Stadium music.

Art sails in II. Photo: Madelen Eliasson. River Stories. Big Nila and Little Docka. 47 Photo: Annakarin Drugge.

sustainable environment), Kulturverket and school pupils in the city’s western districts investigate travelling in Umeå and give us new perspectives on how it might look in the future.

URBAN FORUM – Vasaplan In the ‘season of growing’ an innovative gar- den will be shooting to new heights. Vasaplan is the heart of public transport in Umeå and the focus will be on how it can be developed. The challenge is to realise concepts such as ’discovering’, ‘transforming’, ‘making acces- sible’ and ‘communicating’. Vasaplan is a national collaboration project.

RIVER STORIES – Stor-Nila och Lill-Docka Stor-Nila och Lill-Docka (Big Nila and Li’l Doll) is a musical that revolves around love, unrest, poverty and Sami life in the 19th century. The text has been written by Mikael Niemi with music by Per Egland. All the com- pulsory schools in Västerbotten will receive study materials for use in several subjects as well as copies of the musical. There will be public performances in Umeå, Lycksele, Storuman and Tärna.

48 Gijrragiessie

Photo: John Perivolaris. (CC BY-NC-ND-2.0).

FESTIVALS

Midnight Light Tango Festival Weekend courses with prominent internatio- nal tutors will be on offer throughout Tango- festival (Tango festival). You will also have the opportunity to watch world-class tango performances at Västerbotten Museum and other venues around the city. Tangofestival is being organised by Tango Norteño, Umeå’s Argentinian tango association. The project actively creates networks between the tango association in Umeå and others in Sweden and Europe. In the capital of culture year 2014 a special collaboration is being undertaken with Riga.

And this is not all! See the latest programme at www.umea2014.se

49 50 Giessie

51 NorrlandsOperan’s symphony orchestra. Photo: Malin Arnesson. Per Enoksson. The Earth is a sin...

Giessie – The season of contemplation The short but bright summer keeps people and reindeer awake. Calves must be marked. At last the reindeer can feast on the earth’s bounty. They must nourish themselves in order to survive. Soon they will be putting on their beautiful, rugged autumn coats. Antlers are forming and we watch how the reindeer grow in stature.

Åsa Simma

U x U music festival. Swedish Beach Tour. Photo: Tage Olsin. 52 Giessie Giessie (summer) 11 Jul–28 Aug

EXTRAORDINARY people. The festival has been made possible by crowd-funding. Consequently the num- ber of people involved determines the size. ELEKTRA – Unique opera Umeå’s music scene and the city’s residents NorrlandsOperan will create history when have welcomed the festival with great enthu- it presents a unique version of Richard siasm. Furthermore U x U is attracting visitors Strauss’s Elektra. The opera is being perfor- and participants both from Sweden and med for the first time ever in a full-format abroad. A fantastic festival awaits. Just how outdoor performance involving over 250 fantastic is up to you! participants. To do full justice to this expres- sionistic masterpiece NorrlandsOperan is SUMMER THEATRE collaborating with the Catalan performing – Hjärtat som ingen ville ha arts group La Fura dels Baus. The latter Hjärtat som ingen villa ha (The heart that enjoyed its first international breakthrough nobody wanted) is a summer performance with its staging of the inauguration of the for all ages that involves music, dance, Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. acrobatics and fire. The narrative is inspired by a Maria Gripe story and this performance version has been dramatised especially for SELECTIONS FROM THE Umeå’s new amphitheatre in Broparken. PROGRAMME Kulturcentrum is staging the performance as one element in its 40th anniversary. The performance features young people from U x U – Music festival by people, Teatermagasinet working closely with two for people associations; Jamo Jamo Arts and Lek som Summer 2014 welcomes the first U x U en gycklare (‘Play like a jester’). (you by you), a music festival by people, for

53 SWEDISH BEACH TOUR In the 1992 championships middle- In the middle of our ‘season of contemplation’ distance star Malin Ewerlöf won her first the streets of central Umeå will be filled with 800 m title. Local arrangers IFK Umeå and sand for Swedish Beach Tour, a display of top- Umedalens IF won high jump golds with class beach volleyball. From 6–9 August Eu- Maria Gruffman-Rönnlund (IFK) and Patrik rope’s elite players will be in Umeå to contest Thavelin (UIF). what is always a packed-out event. Swedish In 2014 Umeå’s great hopes are middle- Beach Tour is arranged by Svenska Volley- distance runner Viktoria Tegenfeldt and event (Swedish Volleyball Events) and the sprinter O’Dain Rose. beach section of IKSU, a health and fitness organisation founded at Umeå University. Between matches there will be outdoor movies INITIATIVES and volleyball exhibitions. Parents can also let their children try out the sport for themselves. Read more about general projects and recurring themes on pages 80–95. SWEDISH ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS This is a classic event in Swedish athletics 8 x ART – Konstcampen covering all disciplines except marathon Konstcampen (Art Camp) allows culture to and relay. The championships attract large take possession of new and unexpected public and media interest and were previo- arenas. For example, what happens if a band usly held in Umeå in 1972 and 1992 – both of artists rolls up in a pimped-out caravan times in front of considerable crowds. In at a camping site and erects a large tent? In 1972 the major star was discus thrower Konstcampen the artists offer, amongst other Ricky Bruch with his 64.40 m throw, which things, film showings and workshops. remains a championship best to this day.

Swedish athletics championships. 54 © Carola Grahn Giessie

Exel arena Indoor arena for sports and events

La Fura dels Baus. The Bombettes. Photo: Andreas Nilsson. 55 Reindeer herding in Kultsjödalen. Photo: Magnus Ström.

8 SAMI ARTISTS – Carola Grahn FESTIVALS Artist Carola Grahn works with several dif- ferent media, including photography, sound UMEÅ FOTBOLLSFESTIVAL and text. In 2014 she is producing a new – International youth tournament audio piece for Bildmuseet. Her work often With a little over 7,000 players and coaches focuses on power structures in relation to this is one of Sweden’s largest international gender and ethnicity. Amongst other things football tournaments for young people. The it also investigates and raises questions ambition of Umeå Fotbollsfestival (Umeå about Sami and Swedish identity. Football Festival) is that everyone should have the opportunity to take part, which is FAIR CITY – Theme: energy why the tournament has classes for children, The Fair City project in the ‘season of cont- youths and the disabled. There is also a emplation’ considers what energy is really class that is run in collaboration with Korpen needed for. Children and young people from (one of Sweden’s largest amateur sports northern Umeå together with Kulturverket associations). presents creative thoughts on how, energy- Activities and meeting points are also wise, Umeå can be developed sustainably arranged off the field of play. The intentions and fairly. Aiding them is Naturskolan (the for 2014 are to increase the number of inter- ‘School for outdoor learning’) and Lär- national sides, attract more girl teams and, och forskningscentrum (the ‘Learning and through careful travel planning and climate Research centre’). proofing, create an environmentally sustai- nable festival. River Stories – Rock Out Wild In the ‘season of contemplation’ the River FOLK MUSIC TAKES THE TOWN Stories project is working with the Rock Out During the week of the 4th to the 10th of Wild hard rock festival. Between the 1–2 August Umeå will be filled with folk music August 2014 the festival will be held on the and song. Riksspelmansstämma (a national banks of the roaring Vindelälven river next get-together of folk instrumentalists), Zorn- to the Nalovardo ski facility outside Sorsele. märkesuppspelningar (auditions to reach Besides real hard metal Rock Out Wild also a nationally recognised standard in folk mu- offers some gentler sounds. Be part of the sic) and Folkskandiaträff (a ‘Scandinavian’ cool atmosphere generated by people of folk meeting) with 120 young people from the all ages coming together! Nordic countries all feature in the program-

56 Giessie

Photo: Marcin Kempski. me. The week finishes with the customary Folkmusik- och visfest (Folk music and song festival) at Västerbotten Museum.

THE HOLMÖN SONG FESTIVAL – Multifaceted meeting place Visfestival Holmön (Holmön Song Festival) is important for Nordic singers. From the 25th to the 27th of July 2014 organisers Visans Vänner in Umeå will present one of Scandinavia’s most multifaceted song festivals. The pro- gramme features several famous singing stars as well as a few surprises from per- formers who are less well established. As the Holmön Song Festival is celebra- ting its 20th anniversary in our capital of culture year a special concert is also plan- ned. This gets under way on Wednesday 23 July in central Umeå. Well known artists with minority language connections will be performing here.

BLUES FESTIVAL Umeå is one of Sweden’s strongest bastions of blues and roots music. Which is why, during our capital of culture year, Umea Rhythm & Blues association and the restaurant Droskan are presenting a festival featuring the very best in today’s blues and roots music. Local, national and international artists and bands from this exciting genre will all be on the bill.

The program is updated continuously at www.umea2014.se.

57 58 Tjakttjagiessie

59 Photo: Herman Dahlgren. Per Enoksson: Merde.

RÅDHUSTORGET Umeå’s most central meeting place Tjakttjagiessie – The season of harvesting The light, the warmth, the sun and the rain have brought out the best from the earth’s rich pantry. The bull reindeer are magnificent as they prepare Survival Kit. Photo: Fanny Carinasdotter. for the mating season. The earth brings forth her gifts – berries, herbs, mushrooms to all of us living beings. We hunt. We gather the very last of the earth’s bounty as she starts to undress.

Åsa Simma

Food festival. Photo: Annakarin Drugge Weaving fair. Photo: Mats Pallin 60 Tjakttjagiessie Tjakttjagiessie (early autumn) 29 Aug–9 Oct

SELECTIONS FROM CONTEMPORARY CIRCUS FESTIVAL THE PROGRAMME – fun for all ages with spectacular artistry Nycirkusfestivalen (the contemporary circus festival) is an inspiring, creative meeting SAMI TREASURES place and a fun-filled public event arranged – An exhibition of utility items by Umeå Teaterförening. Enjoy the most The Samiska Skatter (Sami Treasures) exhi- interesting, challenging and spectacular bition at Skogsmuseet (the Forestry Museum) elements of contemporary circus, street in Lycksele is one of the world’s most inter- performance and music hall. esting collections of Sami utility items. It also The festival will last 10 days during the includes fascinating art, exciting documents capital of culture year, between 29 August and books. Lectures, seminars and shows and 7 September. will be arranged in Gammplatsen (‘the old place’) in connection with the exhibition. WEAVING FAIR 2014 – a popular If you’d like to visit Lycksele you can get event, in Norrland for the first time! there and back by train or coach from Umeå. From 18–20 September 2014 Vävmässan (the weaving fair) makes its debut at Nolia FOOD FESTIVAL in Umeå. Under the theme ‘joy of weaving’ – five days just for foodies the fair will feature exhibitions, lectures, sales, For five days in autumn 2014 aficionados of excursions, courses, workshops and a night good food will have several different ways to of festivities. This is the first time this interna- savour Umeå’s food culture. The food festival tionally acclaimed fair will be held in northern offers everything from themed tents and con- Sweden so the organisers have given it a real tests to markets for local ingredients. There Norrland feel. Svenska Vävrådet (the Swed- will be a special focus on Sami food culture.

61 Chinese culture festival.

ish Weaving Council) arranges the fair every FAIR CITY – Theme: three years. Partners this year include the the schools of tomorrow county handicrafts adviser and Västerbotten Harvest season is when school starts again county’s handicrafts association. so it’s natural that the Fair City project focuses on schools at this time. Pupils from SURVIVAL KIT UMEÅ Sävar, a village outside of Umeå, will work – An art festival about survival with artists from Kulturverket to illustrate Survival Kit is an art festival about survival their vision of the schools of tomorrow on many levels, both globally and locally. It through many forms of expression. showcases the works of some 30 artists from Kulturverket. Illustration: Frida Hammar Sweden and the rest of the world. Survival Kit was conceived in Riga in 2009. Since 2012 it has generated an active exchange between the art scenes in Riga and Umeå.

INITIATIVES

Read more about general projects and recurring themes on pages 80–95.

8 x ART – Street Art Street Art is an event that spotlights art in the open air and among buildings. The streets of Umeå will be filled with ideas, elegance and wonder for several days in June 2013. The FESTIVALS experiences learned during these days will be used to develop a multifaceted, wide- ranging programme for 2014, where urban CHINESE CULTURE FESTIVAL – A cultur- interventions are invaluable contributions al exchange between Umeå and China rooted in co-creativity and professionalism. The Chinese Culture Festival celebrates the vibrant Chinese culture in Umeå. The aim

62 Umeå Fashion Weekend. Photo: Henrik Olofsson. Tjakttjagiessie

is to create a place for Chinese culture in the public eye and develop the cultural exchange that has flourished for many years between Umeå and China. During the capital of culture year the programme includes art, music and a major performance.

UMEÅ FASHION WEEK – Fashion in focus Umeå’s young population has a passion for fashion and design so the fashion shows, in- store events and exhibitions of Umeå Fash- ion Week are bound to be exciting. Umeå is the shopping and fashion Mecca of northern Sweden and the hometown of many interna- tionally famous fashion designers such as Johnny Johansson, Petter Hollström, Sandra Backlund and Helena Hörstedt. The sixth Umeå Fashion Week will be held in mid-October 2014.

Get involved! Learn more at www.umea2014.se

63 64 Tjakttja

65 Marie Curie. Per Enoksson. Religiösa förtecken/Religious symbols.

Tjakttja – The season of driving force. Frost makes its presence felt, grips the earth, the yellowed grass lying on the ground like grey hair. The year that has passed has made the earth older. Time drives the earth to rest; she prepares for the little death. The time of darkness, skábma, approaches. Tales of the mystery of life help us through the darkness.

Åsa Simma

P-O Enquist. Photo: Ulla Montan

SAGATEATERN Open cultural stage

FrostByte. Photo: Emil Lindgren 66 Tjakttja TjakTtja (true autumn) 10 Oct–20 Nov

SELECTIONS FROM e-sports and computer gaming culture in THE PROGRAMME northern Sweden.

CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL Blanche and Marie Umeå-raised musician and composer Blanche and Marie is a newly written opera Svante Henryson heads this musical event by Mats Larsson Gothe and Maria Sundqvist in the inspiring setting of Sävargården and that will premiere at NorrlandsOperan in its restaurant. 2014. Based on Per Olov Enquist’s novel The Come and enjoy chamber music spiced Story of Blanche and Marie, the opera deals with hard rock and jazz, concerts intermin- with possible and impossible love. Four gled with workshops, music students playing striking characters form the centrepiece of with the pros and the restaurant offering the opera, which takes place in Paris at the exciting culinary experiences. A blend of turn of the 20th century. The protagonists bold experiments and classic beauty. are two-time Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie and Blanche Wittman, once the world’s most LIET international famous mental patient. Liet International is the melody festival for minority languages – a polyglot alternative FrostByte – A LAN for computer to the Eurovision Song Contest. Liet Inter- gamers of all ages national creates a stage for performers and Calling all computer gamers! FrostByte is bands who sing in minority languages. The a big LAN gaming event for all ages that festival is one of the largest European events will be held in Umeå during the capital of supporting minority languages and has been culture year. held annually since 2002. FrostByte is the brainchild of UmeLAN, During the capital of culture year it is an association that aims to develop being held in connection with the Human

67 Rights Days in Umeå. The festival’s goal is to promote and generate interest in 8 SAMI ARTISTS – Joar Nango minority languages. What is a public place? Architect and artist Joar Nango tries to answer this question in HUMAN RIGHTS DAYS his 2014 project for Bildmuseet, which takes The Human Rights Days in Umeå in Novem- a closer look at Umeå’s public places. He ber 2014 will spotlight a variety of human studies and comments on architectural rights issues. The aim is to raise awareness environments and contexts. about human rights and to enhance and Nango’s previous projects include an intensify regional HR efforts. investigation of Sami building traditions.

FAIR CITY – Theme: children’s rights INITIATIVES Since UN Day falls during the ‘season of driving force’ Kulturverket, BRIS (Children’s Read more about general projects and Rights in Society) and the Fair City project recurring themes on pages 80–95. are focusing on children’s rights. Schoolchil- dren from Umeå’s Marie district consider 8 SEASON CONCERTS how we can improve the lives of children in – Works for the 2014 Jazz Festival the future, not just in Umeå but worldwide. For the autumn concert an established jazz musician has written a piece for the Challenging Power NorrlandsOperan symphony orchestra – National conference on gender which promises to swing in its very own In 2014 Umeå will host G14, a national special way. conference focusing on gender studies and The piece, a grand tribute to jazz itself, equality. The conference will be held in the continues a long tradition of the Umeå Jazz autumn by the Municipality of Umeå, the Festival of arranging a concert with the sym- county administrative board of Västerbotten phony orchestra. and the Umeå Centre for Gender Studies (UCGS) at Umeå University.

68 Joar Nango, from the Doghouse project, 2010 Illustration: Mikke Hedberg. Tjakttja

Fair City.

Umeå folkets hus Culture, conferences, dining

Photo: Annakarin Drugge NorrlandsOperan symphony orchestra. Photo: Malin Arnesson 69 Photo: Johan Gunséus.

FESTIVALS

JAZZ FESTIVAL – World-class jazz As one of Scandinavia’s leading jazz festi- vals it’s a given that the Umeå Jazz Festival will be a part of the capital of culture year and will feature unique concert productions and world-class performers. It’s a showcase for international jazz greats, new stars and unknown talents. The festival has been an annual event since 1968 and is a joint collaboration between NorrlandsOperan and Umeå Jazzstudio.

2014 FILM FESTIVAL – On-screen in new digital cinemas The new Väven cultural centre in Umeå is hosting the 2014 Film Festival. The festival draws inspiration from the northern lands and the rest of Europe and will feature screenings in several of its new digital cin- emas. The 2014 Film Festival is the starting point for a long-term film initiative in Umeå with regular screenings and festival activities in the Väven building.

The program is being continuously updated at www.umea2014.se

70 Birgit Lindberg, Umeå Jazz Festival. Photo: Mikael Rutberg Tjakttja

Betty Carter, Umeå Jazz Festival.

Zap Mama, Umeå Jazz Festival. Tomasz Stanko, Umeå Jazz Festival. 71 72 Tjakttjadálvvie

73 Hjärtats nycklar/Keys of the heart. Per Enoksson. Vårbestyren/Spring chores.

Tjakttjadálvvie – The season of wandering. The sun wanders away, leaving us in silence and longing. The reindeer are sorted into smaller herds. Cautiously they wander to their winter grazing lands; the ground is sensitive and we must tread on her with care. She sleeps under the glit- tering blanket of snow; the northern lights – the light of the eyes of those who have left us – watch over us; the stars gather in recognizable patterns so that we find our way back, to the new year that is coming.

Åsa Simma

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Nave Solar, 2011. Photo: Antimodular Research. Autumn lights. Photo: Reine Vindebro. 74 Tjakttjadálvvie Tjakttjadálvvie (early winter) 21 Nov–29 Jan

EXTRAORDINARY to stop there will be dancing and joint club activities all night long in new and unexpec- ted places. FUTURE FLOWS THROUGH US – Closing party The closing party of the capital of culture SELECTIONS FROM year will be a party where we celebrate THE PROGRAMME moving on with everything we have built, experienced and learned and carry it with us into the future. Väven (’Cultural Fabric’ – our UMEÅ AUTUMN LIGHTS new meeting place for boundary-crossing – Light festival in the city centre culture) and its grand opening makes a natu- Umeå Autumn Lights is a festival of lights ral focal point for our celebrations. Finally the being developed during the course of the doors will open and we can take advantage capital of culture year in collaboration with of all the activities and programmes Väven other European cities, including Riga, the has to offer. We also get a glimpse of the year’s other European capital of culture. future as we light up the city in a way that has Umeå Autumn Lights has been an experimen- never been done before. tal workshop for architects, artists and proper- The city’s annual light festival unveils itself ty management companies since 2005 and in all its glory! The darkness becomes a vir- aims to explore how light can contribute to an tuoso supporting actor while the lights lead attractive, exciting and safe city centre. us out into a shining new landscape where An important part of Autumn Lights is acoustic works of art, songs and voices sound the children’s light festival in Vänortsparken, out. Embraced by all this we discover the city which is also under development. with new eyes and ears. We will do our utmost to ensure that there’s something for every tas- RAFAEL LOZANO-HEMMER te and that as many people as possible have – Interactive installations the opportunity to experience something new. Rafael Lozano-Hemmer works with roboti- And for those that don’t want the party cally controlled lights, real-time animations,

75 site-specific sound and film installations and in 2014. The museum will be a place for new much more. He finds his inspiration in archi- experiences, insights and contexts, where tecture and performance art. At Bildmuseet historical issues meet the modern day and you can experience his interactive works, local perspectives mingle with global ones. which are a commentary on the increasing Digital exhibitions side-by-side with charity conformity of urban environments and socie- collections erase any physical limitations ty’s monitoring of everyday citizens. to visiting and participating in what the museum has to offer. VÄVEN – Inauguration Väven is a creative hub and a brand new meeting place for boundless culture on the INITIATIVES Umeälven river in central Umeå. The Väven cultural centre will be completed during Read more about general projects and the capital of culture year, when locals and recurring themes on pages 80–95. visitors alike can watch as its facilities open up step-by-step. Some of these include a 8 SEASON CONCERTS WITH DANCING new house of culture, a lively indoor court- – Héla Fattoumi and Eric Lamoureux yard, new restaurants, cafés and a hotel. The ‘season of wandering’ concert features an innovative dance piece performed to en- HJÄRTATS NYCKLAR (Keys to the heart) ergetic music. The performance is a collabo- – Danish church opera ration between the NorrlandsOperan dance The Danish composer Peter Bruun penned division, the NorrlandsOperan symphony the new church opera Hjärtats Nycklar (Keys orchestra, the Centre Chorégraphique de to the heart) based on Västerbotten author Caen/Basse-Normandie in France and chor- Martin Lönnebo’s book of the same name. eographers and art directors Héla Fattoumi The opera will be performed in four counties and Eric Lamoureux. by Piteå Kammaropera, with its premier in Umeå during the capital of culture year. CHALLENGING POWER – The gendered landscape INAUGURATION OF THE WOMEN’S Guided tours will be available pointing HISTORY MUSEUM out the tangible initiatives that have been Sweden’s first-ever women’s history museum implemented to make this an equal oppor- is opening during the ‘season of wandering’ tunities city. These city tours will also high-

76 Tjakttjadálvvie

Women’s history museum. © Katapultkontoret

UMEÅ CITY CHURCH Music and culture under the arches

Väven © Snøhetta. Umeå city church. Photo: Fredrik Larsson. 77 light issues that require making further FESTIVALS changes. Tours are available by coach or on foot, either with a guide or alone with a map as your guide. This initiative POP UP – Grand Slam has already begun but will be expanded Pop Up Open is the music festival for fans for the programme year. of pop. Immerse yourself in pop music of every kind, performed by megastars and FAIR CITY – Theme: knowledge the unknowns. Pop Up Grand Slam is a Kulturverket rounds off the year by focusing part of Grand Slam 2014, which aims to put on knowledge. Our university town hosts the Umeå on the map as one of the world’s most Fair City project pavilion about knowledge. pulsating music capitals. What is knowledge today and what will be Grand Slam is arranged by Humlan, a worth knowing in the future? What are libra- non-profit cultural organisation in Umeå. ries like and who is entitled to knowledge? Children and teens from the eastern districts of Umeå team up with the university library to work creatively with this theme.

Photo: Andreas Nilsson. 78 Frida Selander. Photo: Sara Lindquist. Lisa Miskovsky. Photo: Andreas Johansson. Cleo. Photo: David Lundmark. Tjakttjadálvvie

Deportees. Photo: Elin Berge. Annika Norlin. Photo: Håkan Sønderland.

(CC BY-NC-SA-2.0)

Get involved! Learn more at www.umea2014.se

Frida Hyvönen. Photo: Knotan. Winhill/Losehill. Photo: Rebecca Gulan. 79 Initiatives

Some themes recur every season; other larger initiatives permeate the entire year in the form of development projects aimed at stimulating involvement, participation and culture-driven growth.

Recurring events different forms of expression, including painting, sculpture, photography and film 8 SEASON CONCERTS as well as installations and performance The capital of culture year will feature eight art. Running alongside the exhibitions will seasonal concerts in collaboration with be lectures, talks with the artists, workshops NorrlandsOperan. At the start of each new and seminars. season we present a new, highly artistic concert project, each with an exciting theme. 8 x ART Beethoven and Beyond, Stadionmusik (Stadi- The 8 x Art project involves eight different um music) and a symphonic reworking of the artistic representations linked to the Sami hard rock band Refused’s album The Shape seasons that are featured throughout the of Punk to Come are just a few examples of capital of culture year. These representa- what is in store. The eight concerts not only tions can be anything from permanent have separate themes but they are also exhibitions to temporary performances. performed at different venues with a variety Projects include a gigantic clothes peg, the of artistic input and expressions. transformation of the Vasaplan bus terminus into a garden and an artistic campsite. 8 SAMI ARTISTS You can read more about these projects During the capital of culture year Bildmuseet in this programme, but you will experience will showcase eight artists with Sami roots much more on-site during the year, such in eight different exhibitions – one for every as acoustic art in the municipality’s phone season. The artists are based in Sweden, system, indoor clouds and other perfor- Finland and Norway and work with many mance acts.

80 Liselotte Wajstedt, from the project Jorindas resa (Jorinda’s journey). Initiatives

NorrlandsOperan’s symphony orchestra. Photo: Johan Gunséus. 81 Photo: Mikael Lundgren.

CHALLENGING POWER As the name suggests Challenging Power is about challenging the power structures in society, bringing to light issues about norms and power in a structural context in an effort to achieve lasting change. Maintaining a critical attitude toward norms and focusing on us instead of them can bring to light im- portant issues and create exciting dynamics. What does a society look like when it is free from sexism, heteronormativity and racism? Can we work from within a society we want to change and free ourselves from the power structure that has shaped our thoughts and our lives? Some issues to focus on are: who has access to culture? Who is the creator and who is the consumer of culture? What representations do we see on stage? Whose perspective is being portrayed?

UMEÅ URBAN FORUM Urban Forum is a network with the central goal of developing ideas and methods for long-term sustainable city development. During our capital of culture year Urban Forum will be focusing on the city’s public spaces and masterminding several social, technical and cultural activities. The latter include dialogues, major rebuilding and temporary installations in Umeå. Urban Forum is the result of a general municipal management assignment based on openness, democracy and equality.

82 Initiatives

TRÁHPPIE – Sami heritage house and café is a venue for co-creative arrangers involved Don’t miss the Sami heritage house, which in staging the capital of culture year. So far opened in 2012. In Ume Sami the word more than 200 co-creators have filled Glas- tráhppie means “an antler with many tines”. huset with over 1,000 activities, from dance This is a fitting name for the multifunctional and music to workshops and exhibitions. building where you can buy Sami crafts, read Initiatives for “Glashus co-creativity” have Sami books and look at exhibitions. Lectures come from local, regional and European and joik concerts will be held throughout the cultural sources. Before, during and after year and the café serves Sami delicacies, the capital of culture year Glashuset will such as gáhkku (a special flat bread) with continue to be a vital arena for co-creativity reindeer meat, raw spiced charr and boiled for participants and visitors alike. coffee with coffee cheese. Tráhhpie brings together Sami from all of Sápmi. UMEÅ GUITAR MUSEUM Tráhppie is also a meeting place for com- Umeå brothers Samuel and Michael Åhdén munity-sponsored Sami activities, as Umeå possess one of the world’s largest privately is the Sami language administrative district. owned collections of guitars and starting in 2014 the whole world has a chance to UMEDALENS SKULPTUR see it. You can visit the experience-based, The sculpture park Umedalen Skulptur will interactive exhibition of electric guitars, be open to visitors all year round. Walkways basses, amps and music accessories at and even ski trails will be kept especially Umeå Guitar Museum. clear. During the capital of culture year the The museum houses about 500 exhibits park will offer a range of activities related altogether. Alongside the exhibition the to the sculptures and the artists who made museum arranges lectures, temporary them. These are activities that will be spread exhibitions and presentations of new throughout most of the year. developments. World stars will also visit the Umedalen Skulptur is financed and museum during the year and hold ‘clinics’ – owned by Balticgruppen. Entry is free. open guitar lessons. Umeå Guitar Museum is located in GLASHUSET Umeå’s new music centre in Vasaskolan, Autumn 2010 saw the inauguration of Glas- which is also home to Scharinska’s stage. huset (the Glass House) on Rådhustorget (the Together they’re helping to put the city of town hall square) in central Umeå. Glashuset Umeå on the musical map.

83 ROCK ART IN SÁPMI create venues in the region and pave the way Rock Art in Sápmi is Västerbotten Museum’s for roadshows to showcase local offerings. big collaborative project that started in January 2012 and will continue to the end VÄSTERBOTTEN, THE of the capital of culture year. The project STORYTELLERS’ COUNTY focuses on Sami rock art, Sami symbols and Stories can be a very powerful tool when northern cultural traditions. used correctly. The project Västerbotten, The aim is to bring to life, interpret and the storytellers’ county supports various convey Sami history, its past, present and elements of the tourist industry by training future, through art exhibitions, theatre, them in the art of storytelling. This skill will seminars and more. help business owners enhance their brands and make storytelling guides even better RIVER STORIES at bringing the county’s many sights to life. One of the most characteristic elements In addition Västerbotten Museum will of the Västerbotten landscape is the rivers arrange several storytelling performances running down from the mountains in the during 2014. west to the sea in the east. River Stories is a series of performances, projects and SKI UMEÅ2014 events centred on the rivers and their impor- Developing and increasing the accessibility tance to the development of Västerbotten of the Umeå region’s snow culture is the and its culture. goal of the SKI UMEÅ2014 project. The The performances will tour the county, Swedish Outdoor Association, in collabora- demonstrating how the rivers have always tion with a variety of associations, clubs and been a source of energy, how they serve as organisations will be arranging innovative transportation routes for people, timber winter environments and activities in the and food and how they provide recreation hope that more people of all ages will for people who need to relax. Norrlands- discover the value of exercise, training and Operan is managing the project with one outdoor activities in the snow. Some of its goal of increasing regional involvement subprojects include the Snow Sliding World and that of local key figures through activi- Championship, a ski adventure trail with ties and participation. Sami challenges, World Snow Day, easily River Stories is also intended to create, accessible skiing just a stone’s throw from regenerate and support organisers of cul- Umeå city centre and a snow scene on tural events in Västerbotten. The project will Bräntbergsbacken Hill.

84 Glashuset (the glass house). Photo: Andreas Nilsson. Västerbotten, the storytellers’ county. Photo: Patrick Degerman. Initiatives

Umedalen Skulptur. Sean Henry, Trajan’s Shadow. Photo: Galleri Andersson/Sandström. 85 Corners – Turning Europe Inside Out

Västerbotten storyteller Mona Stenberg. Photo: Paulina Holmgren. Stieg Larsson. Photo: David Lagerlöf. 86 Initiatives

THE CULTURE TRAIN research has shown the importance of Kulturtåget (the Culture Train) is a joint culture in the course of a lifetime. Studies project between municipalities along the have found that culture, in a variety of forms, Bothnia Line. It aims to develop and enhance keeps people healthy both intellectually long-term sustainable networks for greater and spiritually and that participating in va- collaboration within the region. Rooted in the rious cultural activities contributes to wellbe- capital of culture year and with the train as a ing and a good quality of life. A rich social tool the project will investigate opportunities life for the elderly has benefits for individuals for regional, national and possibly European and for society as a whole. collaborations. The idea of Kulturtåget is to fill the trains HONORARY CITIZEN and stations along the Bothnia Line with STIEG LARSSON activities such as art videos, live performan- Journalist and best-selling author Stieg ces, poetry, music and children’s theatre. Larsson grew up in Umeå and became All these activities will promote the capital world famous for his Millennium trilogy. of culture year while enhancing the image His series of novels has sold a staggering of the municipalities along the Bothnia Line 63 million copies and been translated into as a unified region. 50 languages. As Stieg Larsson died when he was only 50 years old he never got to CULTURE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS see for himself how popular his books had – Culture and health become. Nonetheless, his work is immor- Kultur och Hälsa (Culture and Health) is a talised and his recognition as an honorary division of Umeå kultur, a network involving citizen means he has now been given an the majority of the organisers and key figu- eternal place in Umeå’s history. Larsson’s res in Umeå. Its primary task is to organise authorship and life’s work will be spotlighted and co-ordinate activities revolving around during the capital of culture year. culture and health and to break the loneli- Author Lars Widding (1988), footballer ness and isolation of senior citizens in Umeå. Gunnar Nordahl (1991) and EU commis- These activities can include anything from sioner Anita Gradin (1997) are the previous ice-hockey to opera. recipients of this title. Culture is an important dimension in a long-term sustainable society. Modern

87 FAIR CITY musical. Alongside Kulturverket’s artists and What would Umeå look like in the future other culture workers the children will create if it were up to the children? In the Fair City music, lyrics, characters and events – artistic project Kulturverket works with around a building blocks that will then be interpreted thousand children and young people from and shaped by professional authors, compo- Umeå as they create visions and fantasies sers, artists and singers. about the Umeå of the future. We have The football musical Fair Game will be divided the city into nine parts, each of them performed on 6 June 2014 at the T3 Arena working with a particular theme for the in Umeå. Some of the big names in Swedish future, such as water, children’s rights, ener- football, both men and women, will play the gy and communication. This creative effort actual game. Collaborators on the project has been under way in schools throughout include Italy and Portugal, several local 2012 and 2013 and the pupils’ materials and artists and Umeå Fritid. ideas are being interpreted and visualised by professional artists and others who FAIR OPERA work with culture. Fair Opera is a five-year music, dance and In collaboration with students from the song project that Kulturverket has been Umeå School of Architecture the project working on since 2010. The final result will be is also designing nine unique pavilions in a musical drama performance about justice, which each of the districts will present dignity, freedom of speech and children’s their picture of the Umeå of the future. The rights as defined in the UN Convention on the pavilions and the children’s work together Rights of the Child. Children from Umeå and will form a joint exhibition that will be part Rome developed the ideas for the music and of the inauguration of Umeå2014. During the libretto for the performance. Then stu- the course of the year we will continue to dents in the script-writing discipline at Umeå shine a light on the nine districts and their University and music institutes in Riga, Piteå, themes to further intensify the work with Rome and Perugia interpreted their work. the children’s ideas and visions. Now Jan Sandström, composer and This project was made possible with the professor and librettist KG Johansson are help of multiple sponsors and partners. working to combine all the ideas into a full-scale performance. FAIR GAME Fair Opera will be performed in Umeå in Between 2012 and 2014 Kulturverket is wor- the spring of 2014 in collaboration with Umeå king with children with long-term illnesses, Musical Theatre Academy at Strömbäcks their families and schools to write a football folkhögskola.

88 River Stories, Crescendo. Photo: Duncan Kemp. Initiatives

Generationskören (the generation choir) with David Sandström. Photo: Andreas Nilsson. 89 Nomo Daco. Photo: Jostein Skeidsvoll.

Kultur på Campus local and international choreographers, Kultur på campus (Culture on Campus) is a musicians, architects and filmmakers. unique initiative that infuses culture into a This multi-arts performance challenges scientific environment. Cultural events such the perception of a classic stage setting as music, literature, dance, theatre etc are by viewing the audience as residents of the produced and arranged each week on the city in question. Nomo Daco will perform campus of Umeå University. The events are at Umeå Arts Campus. always at lunchtime and are always free for students and staff. In 2011 the project held CORNERS – Turning Europe Inside Out 38 such events which were viewed by over Masterminded by Intercult, Corners: Turning 20,000 visitors. The project, which features Europe Inside Out is a cross-border cultural national, local and even international artis- project involving 17 European countries. tes, has received a lot of media coverage. Its contribution to Umeå2014 will primarily In 2011 Kultur på campus appeared in the media 45 times in 36 weeks – that’s more than once a week! Kultur på campus was founded in 2003 and became a registered trademark in 2009. Examples of performers involved include: Veronica Maggio, Eldkvarn, Laleh, Stefan Sundström, the Cullberg Ballet, Jonas Karls- son, Abalone Dots, Carolina Wallin Pérez, Electric Boys, Sofia Karlsson, Norrlands- Operan, PO Enquist, Sirqus Alfon, Marit Bergman, Al Pitcher, Håkan Nesser and more.

THE CITY – a multi-arts work by dance collective Nomo Daco The Umeå-based dance collective Nomo Daco is proud to present its multi-arts work Staden (City) – a massive scenic installation that explores what a city is and what it can be. In Staden Nomo Daco creates new links between a variety of art forms by involving

90 Initiatives

involve enhancing the inauguration of the capital of culture year with exhibitions and activities in a variety of locations in Umeå, beginning in the opening week. Several of the exhibitions are created by Umeå artists in collaboration with artists from places like Cro- atia, Serbia, Ukraine and Northern Ireland. The artistic projects are co-created, which means that professional artists work together with schoolchildren, young people and senior citizens. Contributors to the project are: the youth culture centre Pogon from Zagreb; the cultural network Drugo More from Rijeka in Croatia; the cultural festival Exodus from Ljubljana in Slovenia; the Northern Ireland Arts Council; the Teatro Pubblico Pugliese, the institution responsible for performing arts in southern Italy; Bradford University in the UK; Gdansk in Poland, which was a candidate for the capital of culture year 2016 and the selected 2016 capital of culture, Donostia/San Sebastian in Spain.

MIRROR EUROPE In creating these productions, Mirror Several European cities are participating in Europe is testing new cross-border colla- Umeå 2014’s development projects, Mirror borative methods, including digital co- Europe, which aims to develop communica- creation processes that allow new types tion between and enrich cultural activities of meetings and interactive workshops. in the participating cities. In Mirror Europe, These innovative new forms of collabora- each city creates several productions, tion result in new international networks including murals, storytelling and inter- that will last long after the project ends. active theatre. Mirror Europe hopes that this will lead to

91 greater awareness and understanding of turning to Umeå after spending winter down other cultures and enhanced international south. collaboration in Europe. TWIN TOWNS Some examples of productions include: Umeå is an international city with strong Dance Your Day – dance culture moves ties around the world. These ties will be into new arenas, such as workplaces and strengthened even more in 2014. hospitals. Umeå’s current twin towns are Vaasa Mirror Labs – artisans exchange expe- in Finland, Harstad in Norway, Elsinore in riences, traditional knowledge and cultural Denmark, Würzburg in Germany, Petroza- heritage. vodsk in Russia and Saskatoon in Canada. Monumental Art – artists paint murals in During the capital of culture year our every city in the Mirror Europe project, inclu- Nordic twin towns have jointly decided to ding Umeå. prioritise their collaborations with Umeå. Home Is Where Your Heart Is – perfor- Harstad continues to focus on young people mers use rap in an innovative way to raise in the cities, while Vaasa and Elsinore are awareness in the cities. planning to participate in Umeå’s annual football festival. Petrozavodsk will participate THE BIRDS SHOW THE WAY in the ice and snow sculpture festival. In the project Fåglarna visar vägen (“The Collaborations and exchanges with other Birds Show the Way”) Umeå gets its own twin towns are also in the pipeline. The ca- cultural birds. Via the internet and apps pital of culture year is a unique chance for everyone can follow the cultural birds as they Umeå to further enhance existing ties and to migrate from the Ume delta through Europe find new ones. to Asia or Africa and back again. Knowledge about Umeå is spread continuously, not only GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER through activities along the migration routes – Skuggteatern but also through collaborations at sites where Skuggteatern is working with theatre ensem- the birds choose to rest. Headed by Umeå bles in Europe to hold a spectacular theatre Fågelförening (Umeå Bird Society) the pro- festival in the Ålidhem district. Audiences ject will also include outdoor exhibitions and will be treated to the guest nations’ culture cultural events with an avian theme, all the not only on stage but also through the while breaking new scientific ground. culinary arts. Around the end of April a huge homeco- Get Your Act Together is a two-year ming party will be held for all the birds re- project from 2013 to 2015 which aims to open

92 Work by FA+, railway tunnel. Photo: Jonny Rönnblom. Initiatives

Skuggteatern. Fanny Carinasdotter.

93 Photo: Peter Rosén

94 Initiatives

the door to bigger collaborations in Europe meeting place filled with exciting experien- and to create new, innovative projects on ces related to Umeå and northern Sweden. local and national levels. Those of us not on In and around the roadshow visitors will location will be able to follow the project via be immersed in cultural expressions – exhibi- a digital platform. tions, fashion shows, musical performances, culinary experiences, film screenings and so CAUGHT BY [Umeå] – a European on. All the cultural and artistic elements pre- roadshow to capture creativity sented at this central location in each city are Umeå reaches out to invite all of you to parti- the result of a contest prior to the roadshow. cipate in forming Umeå2014 in a way that no other capital of culture has ever done before. About the contest The capital of culture committee will stage a With keywords such as progressive culture, European roadshow in autumn 2013 called co-creativity and passion the Artists Caught Caught by [Umeå]. by [Umeå] contest invites creative people to reflect on and interpret Umeå and About the tour northern Sweden. Caught by [Umeå] is a roadshow through Starting in April 2013 creators from all Europe taking place between September around the world are invited to compete in and October 2013 which aims to pique pe- the categories design, photography and film. ople’s curiosity and interest in Umeå’s capi- In brief contestants are being encouraged to tal of culture year 2014. The project is based create an entry that expresses progressive on interaction between Umeå and several culture with a connection to northern Sweden. European cities and countries where the The finalists will be exhibited during the roadshow passes through. roadshow. A panel of experts in each of the In collaboration with VisitSweden and countries being visited will select national ICEHOTEL among others, giant blocks of winners in all three categories. All of the ice will be placed out in strategic locations winning entries will then be exhibited at a around the cities bearing a kind of “messa- vernissage in Umeå during the capital of cul- ge”. Perhaps items will be frozen in the ice ture year 2014 – Artists Caught by [Umeå]. or messages will be carved into them. The message might even have a QR code on the base which leads the viewer to a film or website. The blocks of ice will all lead to Händelsernas centrum, a large central

95 WE WANT YOU TO PLAY A PART... Sijttabe, urruoh fáruone

You too can be a part of this programme. The capital of culture year provides many opportunities to participate and make your own mark and we would love to hear your suggestions!

Would you like to suggest a PROGRAMME executive board. ITEM? The programme will remain open up If you have a project idea you can apply for a to and throughout 2014, so feel free to make CULTURAL BOOST. The cultural boost is an suggestions. All projects related to the go- opportunity for associations and independent als of the capital of culture year are invited operators to apply for up to SEK 20,014 to test to be a part of the programme – whether or develop project ideas that might become or not your programme is co-financed by programme items in the capital of culture year. Umeå2014.

Do you have a project for which you would like to apply for CO-FINANCING? You can still send in project proposals to Umeå2014. We prepare the proposals to be decided on 7 by the capital of culture committee, a poli- 6 tical committee under the Umeå municipal 1 2

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97 Photo: Andreas Nilsson/The Core.

“I want to spread the opportunities of co-creativity before, during and after the capital of culture year to enthusiasts working on a volunteer Would you like basis in fields that are not traditionally considered cultural.” to join us? Ann-Marie Lindgren, Umeå2014 Ambassador.

98 Co-creativity

Do you run a company and want to partici- Would you like to be an AMBASSADOR or a pate as a PARTNER? Companies can choose VOLUNTEER? All the events during capital to support specific events, projects, themes or of culture year will require volunteers who one of the eight seasons. You can also work can help out, for example, in connection with a specific cultural operator or carry out with festivals. In preparation for 2014 we cultural initiatives in your own organisation. are creating a network and an organisation for volunteers. You could support a specific project through As an ambassador you present infor- CROWD-FUNDING – grassroots financing mation about the capital of culture year at through social media. We offer a platform various meetings and get-togethers in your that makes it possible to market your pro- own community. And yes – you can be both jects and raise funds. Individuals and an ambassador and a volunteer! companies donate money to the projects they believe in and always receive a reward from the project owner.

Would you like to find out more? Then visit our website at umea2014.se

99 Sápmi Sámi Teáther,Harstad in, Norway. co-operation Giron with Rock Art in Sápmi

Kiruna: Giron Sámi Teáther, in co-operation with Rock Art in Sápmi

Ammarnäs, Blomsterhem

Ájtte 25 years, Jokkmokk winter market

Luleå, Norrbottensteatern, Sorsele Rock out Wild, project Norrland passion

, Crescendo, Piteå, Local 2014-office, Storuman Acustikum Big Nila and Little Docka Skellefteå , Skogsmuseet, Lycksele Västerbottensteatern, Storyteller is festival, project Sami treasures Umeå2014 manager for Norrland passion

Ö-vik, Local 2014-office,Vaasa High Finland, in co-operation Östersund, ”Stage north”, Coast Art Valley among otherswith Vaasa city project Norrland passion

Sundsvall, Co-operation Scenkonstbolaget, project management the ”Culture Train”

100 The northern lands The northern lands Nuarttasijjie

Umeå’s capital of culture year is a joint year approaches. Major projects like River venture with the four northernmost Swedish Stories also embrace several towns and counties and Sápmi (the lands inhabited by communities in Västerbotten, offering a the Sami people). Sápmi stretches through myriad of events rooted in the northern lands. northern Norway, Sweden and Finland and Another project linking the towns in the all the way out to the Kola Peninsula in Rus- area is the Kulturtåget (the Culture Train) sia. These northern lands will be a natural that uses new and existing infrastructure part of a European dimension, promoting to promote cultural activities and meetings. cross-border cultural meetings and long- At the same time the project gives a new term collaborations. meaning to the concept of journeys. Several of the towns in northern Sweden Collaborating this way between counties have their own offices supporting the capi- not only creates exciting, fertile projects but tal of culture year locally. This creates also opens the door for a wider public to enjoy new relationships and we can see a even more activities. The four northernmost growing interest in intercity projects in the counties and the Sápmi region are today northern lands as the capital of culture home to more than 2.3 million people.

101 Photo: Anna Öhlund.

102 The northern lands

103 104 Riga RIGA – Umeå’s twin town

Each year the EU selects two cities to Umeå and Riga are planning several share the title of capital of culture. One of joint projects for the capital of culture year the two must be in a new member state. 2014. Umeå will participate in Riga’s pro- The European capitals of culture in 2014 gramme year and vice versa. Joint activities are Riga in Latvia and Umeå in Sweden. and new dynamic initiatives will benefit Riga is the Latvian capital and with its both regions during the capital of culture population of about 700,000 is the biggest year. Umeå and Riga are also planning city in the Baltic region. Riga was founded joint activities for marketing and communi- in 1201 and the oldest part of the city with cations in the run-up to 2014. its distinctive medieval influence has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Two countries host the European capital The Central Market, in which old zeppelin of culture each year. The candidate cities hangars have been converted into covered are judged by an international jury of ex- markets, is one of the largest of its kind perts who decide which city to recommend. in Europe. It is the national government of the cho- Riga’s application to be a European sen city that formally makes the nomination capital of culture was based on the three to the EU and, finally, the EU Council of principles of creativity, border expansion Ministers awards the title European Capital and new forms of interaction. The motto of Culture. for Riga’s initiative is the legal phrase ‘Force Majeure’. This is an expression of the desire to enhance the importance of culture as an instrument for improving cities and people’s lives.

riga2014.org

105 Istanbul , Rijeka, China, The M+ Sigg Collection Simya Zagreb Drugo More Pugliese Barcelona, Sanat Pogon , La Gracisce, Teatro Fura Dels Baus Porto Ljubljana, , etno Histeria Pubblico Casa da Exodus Donostia/ San Sebastian.Musica Berlin, Die Gorillas Paris, Improfes- sionals London, Gdansk, Monumental Aerowaves Art Festival AArhus,Teatret Bradford

Gruppe 38 University

Riga, Survival Kit Dublin, 12 points festival Petrozavodsk Northern , Ireland Arts Storytelling city day Council

UMEÅ

Sápmi Reykjavik, Vesturport

106 Collaborations in Europe Collaborations in Europe

One of the requirements of any capital of Our work with the European dimension culture bid is that it must include a Euro- is largely based on collaborations between pean dimension. What exactly does that projects being pursued in Umeå in relation mean? There are as many interpretations to other European parties and vice versa. In and analyses of this concept as there have addition we can add the collaborations of been European capitals of culture. all the Sami projects. These create firm ties When Umeå applied we chose to take between Europe’s only indigenous population a northern perspective on European issues, and other European cultures. giving the European dimension a northern feel. This is also quite logical since Umeå is the northernmost European capital of culture ever.

107 Vasaskolan. Project photo. Illustration: Mikke Hedberg.

VASASKOLAN New music stage.

HUMlab-x. Photo: Mikael Lundgren.

Work by FA+, Järnvägstunneln (railway tunnel). Photo: Jonny Rönnblom. 108 Building for the future WE ARE BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Never before have we seen so many riences under one roof. The building will be building cranes, so many detours and big inaugurated during the capital of culture holes in the cityscape. Everything is being year 2014 and is a result of a joint venture be- built up again. The city is being renewed, tween Umeå municipality and Balticgruppen. getting smarter, bigger and more sustaina- The new Järnvägstunneln (railway ble. Meeting places. Work. Life. Culture. We tunnel) features Europe’s biggest work of art are taking Umeå not just into 2014 but far in glass, signed by the artist collective FA+. into the future. And we’re doing it together. The piece is a 170-metre long glass wall Culture is growing. The city is growing. convered with quotations from Västerbotten You and I are growing. With faith in the author Sara Lidman. Not to mention Umeå future and a mutual commitment Umeå Östra station with its glass walls and shell has grown into something new and unique construction of glued laminated timber that that is reverberating all around the world. stands brightly below the University Hospital. Here are just a few examples: Inside the station art by Astrid Sylwan and On the shores of Umeälven river a Knutte Wester is displayed. cross-boundary cultural arena for the Umeå Airport is also getting a facelift and people of Umeå and visitors is being built. being remodeled for the future. In just a short Väven contains a cultural centre, a hotel space of time the number of flights in and out and restaurants. The world famous archi- of Umeå has increased dramatically; Umeå tectural firm Snøhetta has designed an has become a hub for travel to and from the iconic building whose rooms will offer a entire world. An expanded road network multitude of cultural meeting possibilities and the Bothnia Line railway connect all encouraging music, art, crafts, dance and parts of the city like life-giving arteries, giving dialogue between citizens in new ways. new strength and driving up the city’s pulse. Väven is more than just a building; it is a Our magnificent riverside has been en- symbol for collaboration between various riched by the Umeå Arts Campus, a unique forms of activities with a myriad of expe- cluster of education and art: the Umeå

109 School of Architecture, Umeå Institute of culture in Umeå. Scharinska’s music scene, Design, Umeå Academy of Fine Arts and with the guitar museum, café and restaurant HUMlab-x. These facilities provide world- in the same building, form a house of music class creative education in an area that in the heart of Umeå (formerly Vasaskolan). challenges the senses and inspires us all. A scene that is even more attractive to local The area is now also home to Bildmuseet, and international performers! one of the country’s most interesting windows In fact the whole city centre is in transition. on contemporary visual expression and art. New shops, offices and hotels are putting Bildmuseet projects a national and an inter- down roots in Umeå. The city is being nurtured national character. The exhibitions it produc- by its people, by time and by life. Umeå is es often go on to tour the world. changing, growing and building for the future! The music scene is an important part of

Väven. Snøhetta and White Arkitekter.

110 Umeå Arts Campus. Umeå East. Photo: Andreas Nilsson. Building for the future

Nolia Trade fairs, conferences, events

Astrid Sylwan, artwork in Umeå East. Photo: Mikael Rutberg. 111 Photo: Lars Lindh.

112 Getting here HOW to GET HERE

By air: by car: • Umeå Airport, only 3.5 kilometres • The E4 motorway links Umeå with Europe. from the city centre. • The E12 leads to Norway and Finland. • Many daily flights to and from • The E4 north takes you to Torneå Stockholm. (Finland). • Several direct flights from cities in Europe. cycling and walking: • Walking paths along the river. By rail: • More than 200 km of popular cycling • 6.5 hours from Stockholm. routes (bikes are available for hire). • High-speed trains to and from Örnsköldsvik and Sundsvall. where to stay in umeå: • Trains to and from Vindeln, Vännäs, If you would like to stay in Umeå you Lycksele, Kramfors, Härnösand, have plenty of options: Luleå, Kiruna and Narvik. Hotels • 2 central railway stations: Umeå C in B&Bs the city centre and Umeå East near the Hostels university and hospital. Campsites Stay with an Rooms and flats Umeå resident? by coach: Chalets • Daily coaches from Stockholm. Visitors’ marinas • Daily coaches south, west and north from Umeå. Read more about accommodation in the official tourist guide of the Umeå region: by sea: www.visitumea.se. • Daily ferry traffic between Umeå and Vaasa (Finland). Welcome!

113 Väven, December 2012. Photo: Johan Gunséus.

114 All those who are making it possible Balticgruppen – Main partner of Umeå2014

“Whatever is good for Umeå is good for Balticgruppen”

Since it was founded in 1987 Balticgruppen with its population. That’s good for Umeå and has always taken an active role in the deve- for Balticgruppen too. So it is only natural that lopment of Umeå, participating in community Balticgruppen is working with and supporting building and enhancing the city’s appeal. Umeå2014 in various ways. In total Baltic- Making Umeå more interesting to live in, work gruppen’s commitment will involve at least in and visit also enhances property values in SEK 15 million in funding of programme items the city. “Whatever is good for Umeå is good that are being developed in consultation with for Balticgruppen” is a slogan that neatly the capital of culture project. summarises the company’s view of its role in Previous cultural and city development the city’s development. A city’s cultural life is projects that Balticgruppen has supported a good reflection of its overall health and in include: Umeå Arts Campus, Väven (which this respect we can say with confidence that will include the new cultural centre, among Umeå and its people are thriving. other cultural activities), NorrlandsOperan, The naming of Umeå as European Umedalen Skulptur, Sami culture and sculp- Capital of Culture 2014 clearly confirms that tures in public spaces. the city’s cultural life is growing organically

115 Partnership declaration

We, the undersigned, in the true spirit of the capital of culture initiative. We support open-source collaboration, declare our part- the basic values of inquisitiveness and pas- nership with the capital of culture before the sion and we are certain that the creative final structure of the collaboration has been platforms the capital of culture is working set in print. We all have different intentions with are a positive way to work together to and purposes with our collaboration. For achieve even better development of the some of us it is about expanding our human city and the region. resources, for others it is about buying mar- We also aim to contribute financially to keting rights, bolstering the region of nort- programme items and play an active role in hern Sweden and using the 2014 platform this initiative, which will strengthen the bonds to find new collaborative partners, launch between the region’s businesses, the com- products or similar goals. munity, the university and the municipality. What we have in common is that we all In other words we will be co-creators want to be “part of the heart”. We believe in of Umeå2014.

VÄSTERBOTTENS-KURIREN, MOTORCENTRALEN, SWEDBANK, BALTICGRUPPEN, KOMATSU FOREST, POLARBRÖD AND UMEÅ AIRPORT.

116 All those who are making it possible

Swedbank Norra Regionen has begun collaborating with Umeå2014 for the European capital of culture year. Among other initiatives Swedbank and Sparbankerna are arranging Growth Days in Umeå between Part of 21–23 May 2014. Growth Days is an event that the heart? provides a forum for all those who would like to contribute to creating better conditions for local and regional growth, entre- preneurship and enterprise.

One of the themes of Growth Days 2014 is culture-driven growth and this year the event will be conducted in close collaboration with Umeå2014.

If you would like to know more about Swedbank and Growth Days, visit us at www.swedbank.se/samhalle

117 Photo: Andreas Nilsson.

118 All those who are making it possible

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all of our co-creators for your inquisitiveness, your passion, your wealth of ideas and your diversity. Thank you for all the effort you are putting into building Umeå2014. Together we are turning the European Capital of Culture into an inspiring, exciting, vibrant model of artistic development.

THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO Nordiska museet, the National Swedish ARE MAKING IT POSSIBLE! Handicraft Council, the Swedish National We want to thank our dedicated citizens Heritage Board, the Swedish National and cultural operators in the northern Archives, Riksteatern, the Swedish Exhibition lands, in collaborating municipalities, regi- Agency, the Sami parliament’s Arts Council, onal councils, county councils and county Statens historiska museer – the Swedish administrative boards. Government’s museum authority, the National Public Art Council, the Swedish Arts Thank you to the Government and all Council, the Swedish National Museums the national enablers of culture, inclu- of World Culture, Statens Musikverk – the ding: Ájtte Museum, the Swedish Museum Swedish Government’s music authority, the of Architecture, the Royal Dramatic Theat- Swedish Film Institute, the Swedish Institute, re, the Living History Forum, the Institute the Swedish Agency for Economic and for Language and Folklore, Konstnärs- Regional Growth and VisitSweden. nämnden – the Swedish Arts Grants Our thanks also go to all of our partners Committee, the Royal Swedish Opera, in the business community, the EU and all Moderna museet, Nationalmuseum, the our other friends in Europe and beyond. Swedish Museum of Natural History,

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Welcome to Umeå. Buerestbåhtieme Ubmejisse. The adventure can begin www.umea2014.se