Drammen Sacred Music Festival ���� – REPORT THE BOARD Facebook page www.facebook.com/ Drammen Sacred Music Festival was Arve Vannebo, Ricardo Sanchez & Ivar drammensacred formally established as a registered Flaten Everyone on the team has contributed organisation on the 24th of May 2012. to bringing the festival alive on these The following members were elected Volunteers pages and in the media. to the Board: Drammen Sacred Music Festival Placards, posters, flyers and a 32 page (DSMF) has collaborated with local program were distributed, and invita- Eli Borchgrevink organisations from Drammen Faith tions and information was sent out to Tore Dvergastein Forum (DOTL). We are grateful for the all concerned partners and our target Henrik Melius support and cooperation of members groups. Arzanne De Vitre of the various organisations. Together Monica Finnerud they contributed with 50 volunteers The festival’s Arve Vannebo for the festival, who worked under the development Ivar Flaten (leader) dedicated leadership of Jogita Reide- We see that the festival is growing from Skrastina and Signe Myklebust. year to year. Musicians, artists, collabo- PROGRAMMERS rating partners and our dear audiences Ricardo Sanchez (leader) Sponsors: give us constant positive feedback. Sev- Svanhild Rohdin drammen municipality eral return to work as artists, voluntary Jørgen Nøvik arts council, norway helpers and participants. The number Ingebrigt Håker Flaten buskerud county of volunteers has grown considerably. Fernando Sallum maxbo Professionals and technicians on the Jai Shankar grønn industri production line have worked with en- magasine Visjon thusiasm and gusto year after year. We WORKING GROUP would like to make a special mention Arve Vannebo was appointed to coordi- Collaborating of Jock Loveband (sound) and Paulo nate and execute the festival. All con- Partners Luciano Araujo Bakke (light) who certs were booked by Ricardo Sanchez, Union Scene production team worked on the concerts in Strømsø and the following people formed the Drammen Municipality Inter-culture Church. team that was responsible for the plan- with Linn Silje Nyhus & Andre Ruud ning and execution of the festival: Strømsø Church with Britta Hässlich & We wish to expand our collaborations Svein Anders Aasen with local, regional and national insti- Arve Vannebo (Coordinator) Fjell Church with Galina Trintsoukova tutions to give this festival a stronger Ricardo Sanchez (Producer) & Wenche Solbakken foothold and widen our reach. Signe Myklebust (Dialogue and Modum Bad with Helge Harila local networking) Sekkefabrikken Slemmestad We take great delight in sending out this report of the 3rd VisIon Jørgen Nøvik (Art) Røyken jazzklubb with Roar Lindberg CONTACT Drammen Sacred Music Festival, 2012. Svanhild Rhodin (Art) KinoCity Ricardo Sanchez The festival brought together musicians and artists from all Drammen Sacred Music Festival is a meeting place for local, Tom Atle Bordevik (Web design, Drammen Filmklubb Producer over the world, and it is with deep gratitude to them, our national and international artists with a focus on art and music photography and printed material) Le Rustique mobil: 951 43 127 collaborators and our audiences that we submit this report. of a spiritual nature. The artists and the public share a common Arzanne De Vitre (Text) The Embassy of Brazil [email protected] On the following pages, you read about the different events interest and fascination for the creative dynamic that occurs Jogita Reide (Coordinator for The Embassy of Turkey and concerts at the festival. We have complemented the text when different traditions and art-forms are shared, where artistic volunteers) The Embassy of Israel Arve Vannebo with photographs that were taken throughout the festival. expression is central. Ivar Flaten (PR and Media) Coordinator Media mobil: 918 03 492 This year’s festival had the theme Transformations and we Drammen is known for its international population, and the Execution The festival was presented and publi- [email protected] are proud to say that we believe every participant at the fes- festival emphasizes an open dialogue between all the groups Arve Vannebo cised in a variety of news articles, radio tival, whether artist, musician, organizer, audience member represented. Ricardo Sanchez programmes and promotions in: Ivar Flaten or volunteer, has had the rich opportunity to transform and Ivar Flaten Drammens Tidende, the local Chairman of the Board grow through cross-cultural meetings and dialogue with The festival envisions a platform that encourages different people newspaper mobil 415 45 849 others. We have learnt a lot, and still have a lot to learn, and to meet, be moved, and create meaning together through shared Producers Byavisa Drammen [email protected] we look forward to expanding and developing this festival in artistic expressions. Head Producer: Ricardo Sanchez Vårt Land (national newspaper) collaboration with you, our partners. Production Head at Strømsø Church: Morgenbladet (national weekly) Adress: The ambition of Drammen Sacred Music Festival is to be a cen- Fernando Sallum NRK Buskerud (local branch Drammen Sacred Music Festival A big and heart-felt thank you to all those who made this tral, national festival on this front. Production for the Children’s of national radio) c/o Fjell kirke, Solsvingen 90, festival possible! We welcome you to work with us on next Programme: Signe Myklebust NRK P2 Jungletelegraph 3034 Drammen year’s festival! (national radio) Initiative takers: www.drammensacred.no Warm regards on behalf of the Board, Inter-culture, Municipality of Tom Atle Bordevik has done a Facebook.com/drammensacred Drammen remarkable job on the website Ivar Flaten, Chairman of the Board Drammen Faith Forum (DOTL) www.drammensacred.no as well as the Photos: Tom Atle Bordevik and Roger Hennum English version by Arzanne De Vitre (board member) Report design: Erlend Askhov Drammen saturday 22th Monday 24th Tuesday 25th

Sacred opening of the art exhibition film screening in collab - concert in fjell church, film screening drammen “transformations” oration with kino city, 7pm film club, union scene, Music of gods and men Vintermåne 8pm visitors: 80 (1050 during the festival) Andrej Rublov Festival Svanhild Rohdin was responsible for the festival’s art project. visitors:15 visitors: 45 Together with Jørgen Nøvik she curated an exhibition with As thanks to our many volunteers, we Fjell Church has been seminal to the visitors:32 ���� contributions from international artists covering all the five screened the filmOf Gods and Men for birth of DSMF and has been active We are very grateful for our newly es- continents. The art works all represented the theme Trans- all our supporters. The film is a poign- in all aspects of the festival. Special tablished collaboration with Drammen formations and were exhibited at Union Scene, both in- and ant depiction of the lives of Christian mention must be made of the minister, Film Club which screened Tarkovsky’s outdoors. The magnificent glass greenhouse was meant to monks in a monastery that becomes rev. Ivar Flaten and the deacon, Signe filmAndrej Rublov. The life of the icon symbolise art in a constant state of change. the target of national and religious Myklebust. painter in Russia during the 1400’s is day by day fanaticism. The monks overcome their The Cultural committee of the church also a powerful reminder of the play The opening of the exhibition was in collaboration with Un- struggle for survival by serving the lo- arranged the concert with the quartet between God and Man, culture and ion Scene for Children. To this effect the letters in the word cal community and remaining faithful Vintermåne (Wintermoon) ideology. Transformations were constructed using plywood and chil- to the Lord. Anne Gravir Klykken, Frøydis Grorud, dren and grownups alike were invited to paint and transform Kenneth Ekornes & Torjus Vierli them into art. Drammen’s own Head of Cultural Affairs, This film was a fine reminder of how played a beautiful and moving concert Tone Ulltveit-Moe officially opened the exhibition. Several good people’s work can be threatened of hymns and folksongs that was much international artists were present, among them Ping Wang by fanaticism and violence. Our festival appreciated by all. (China) and Kunsang Gyatso, an artist from Nepal, currently aims at contributing to positive meet- working in New York. Three other Nepalese artists from the ings between people of different cul- art project Riimo had an artist-in-residence function. There tures, religions and backgrounds where were also representatives from the Norbu Dawa Old-Age strong relationships based on trust and Home in Nepal who sold products, the profits of which will security can be built. DSMF wishes to be given to the old-age home. build these constructive relationships that promote peace and reduce bigotry Other artists represented at the exhibition were: and fear among different peoples. Ping Wang (China) Svea Bjørnson (Australia) Beverly Nadius (USA) Samuel Komlan Olou (Togo) Obras Javier Fernandez Svanhild Rohdin (Norway) Jørgen Nøvik (Norway) wednesday 26th modum bad, 7:30pm Yamma Ensemble, Israel the silent room, siloen, papirbredden, visitors: 80 12-6pm all days of the festival Yamma Ensemble gave a beautiful concert based on the visitors: 80 rich cultural traditions of Israel. The ensemble’s 5 members Drammen Faith Forum (DOTL) organised a Still Room for represent several different nations and musical traditions, thought and meditation coordinated by deacon Signe Mykle- including Arabic, Lebanese, and Bulgarian amongst others. bust. The room housed the holy books of several of DOTL’s The concert was woven together with the unique stories members. The room was manned at all times by a represen- of the migration of their ancestors to Israel, and how their tative from the Faith Forum who was available for discussion music has been influenced by their background. Their and dialogue with visitors. repertoire spanned psalms from the Bible to other religious Central to this room was an art installation called Adam and and folksong traditions. It was a special honour to hear their Eve, a concept by Jens von Krogh. music based on the prayers said at Yom Kippur, which they celebrated just the day before their concert. The audience the foyer, union scene even got to hear the Shofar (ram’s horn), an instrument that food by le rustique, 1-9pm all days dates back to the time of the Old Testament. Artists, organisers, volunteers and the public could indulge in delicious food served by Le Rustique throughout the festival. exhibition & sale Representatives from the Norbu Dawa Old Age Home in Nepal sold traditional jewellery and textiles, the proceeds of which will go to the home. The Nepalese artist, Kunsang Gyatso showcased his artworks and video installation at the festival. He worked live on a canvas throughout the festival to finally produce an artwork Opening Concert that would be auctioned to the highest bidder. union scene, 8pm Kunsang was also invited to the local high school where he showed his work to the students and taught them some in- visitors: 190 teresting techniques. This project with the local school was The festival’s producer, Ricardo Sanchez did a marvellous a huge success and much appreciated by the students. We job of managing the Opening Concert for the festival. He hope he will return next year. created a simple melodic theme that was sent out to all the participating musicians, and requested them to interpret it dialogue and information and create music through it. The musicians worked on it in- Drammen Faith Forum (DOTL) had an information stand dependently before the festival, and came together to create in the foyer of Union Scene throughout the festival. Two a magical performance after only a few hours of rehearsing or more representatives were present at all times to talk collectively on the day of the opening! with visitors, answer questions about DOTL’s work and its members. DOTL encourages all religious and ‘human-ethic’ Invited guests were welcomed at 7pm and the Mayor of organisations to participate in inter-faith dialogue. Dram- Drammen, Tore Opdal Hansen was present. Other prestigi- men Sacred Music Festival is DOTL’s biggest project. ous guests included the Ambassadors of Brazil and Turkey. Leaders from the various organisations in Drammen Faith Forum were also represented along with music lovers, union scene, 4pm artists, our collaborating partners and others. Master class with Hermeto Pascoal The Head of the Board for DSMF, Rev. Ivar Flaten welco- med everyone and spoke of the vision for the festival. The visitors: 15 Mayor then gave a speech in which he emphasized the The Brazilian legend and improvisation maestro, Hermeto importance of such a festival in a multi-cultural city like Pascoal gave a Master Class for interested musicians and Drammen before he officially declared the festival open. others. At 78, he is as vibrant and ‘crazy’ as ever! Fans could hardly believe that they could actually meet and play with Producer Ricardo Sanchez then introduced the artists the maestro! Participants of the workshop created music for the evening’s concert: Gevende Band (Turkey), Ivan together with Pascoal who then composed the piece as a gift Mazuze (Mosambique), Sidiki Camara (Mali), Ayani (Huni to all present. Kuin - Amazon), Fernando Sallum (Brazil/ Norway), Nilson Dourado (Brazil), Tal Zimra Coleman (Israel), Ricardo San- chez & Oscar Cruz (Bolivia), Sigmund Kristoffer Vadtvedt (Norway), Espen Jørgensen (Norway) & Hermeto Pascoal and Aline Moreno (Brazil). Thursday 27th Friday 28th strømsø church, 7pm photo exhibition, black box, union PADIK scene, all days 12-7pm visitors: 24 The Brazilian photographer, Rodrigo Petrella has exhibited This unique concert opened with a in prestigious galleries around the world. His stunning pho- musical dialogue between two virtuo- tographs of life in the Amazon were shown at the festival sos, Svein Westad on the Jews harp, thanks to the support of the Embassy of Brazil. and Zotora Nygaard on the didgeridoo. Their expansive music filled the church room with meditative sounds, and a strømsø church, 7pm stillness that was magical. Mari Boine trio Padik is a group that plays music from Baluchistan, an area that spans Afg- visitors: 300 hanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Roshtam Norwegian legend, Mari Boine created musical magic at the Mirlashari (vocals), Anne Hytta (Har- church in her 90 minute long concert accompanied by Gun- danger fiddle), Abdul Rahman Surizahi nar Augland (percussion) and Georg Buljo (strings). Torgeir (sitar) and Elias Massih (tabla) gave a Vassvik opened the concert with songs from the coast Sami concert based on the theme of love and tradition influenced by Sibiran throat song. A spell-bound peace. Several audience members were audience just did not want to let the trio go. This concert familiar with their music and could was a high-point of the festival. sing along. The concert was made pos- sible by Transnational Arts Productions (TRAP). union scene 9:30pm Gevende Band, Turkey sekkefabrikken slemme- stad, 7pm,collaboration visitors: 80 with røyken jazz club See above. Gevende Band Istanbul, Turkey visitors: 52 Gevende is a distinguished band from the recently evolving music scene in Turkey, which has also caught the attention of music lovers and profes- sionals abroad. They have played with Eivind Aarseth and other jazz greats. On stage Gevende makes music which has no boundaries. Their energetic concert in progressive rock and jazz styles thrilled the audience. The music was perfectly complemented by a video installation and brilliant light design. The vocalist, not wishing to explain the music, asked the audience to rather “feel” it, and let it speak for itself. One of the many successful concerts of the festival! union scene, 9pm Yamma Ensemble visitors: 55 See above. The concert at Union Scene was at- tended by a big delegation from the Embassy of Israel, led by the Ambas- sador. We look forward to collaborating further with Yamma and hope to see them again at the festival. saturday 29th backyard, union scene, 12-3pm Turban stand

A group of Sikhs from the gurudwara (Sikh temple) in Lier, generously shared their tradition of turban tying with the public. Everyone was welcome to choose a colour they liked and try on a turban. Interesting discussions about the Sikh religion and practice characterized this colourful afternoon. union scene 1pm Fly, Butterfly, Fly! in collaboration with union scene for children visitors: 197 This family event was in collaboration with DOTL and its many member organisations. Participating groups included members of the Jesus Christ Church of the Latter Day Saints, Minhaj ul Quran International Drammen, the Baha’i Faith, the Tamilian culture organisation, as well as Ayani, from the Huni Kuin tribe in the Amazon, and musicians Talilema from Madagascar.

Talilema opened this family concert with energising rhythms from Madagascar, thrilling children and adults alike. Everyone was encouraged to join in and dance. Two young students from Inspiro Drammen then led the audience on a colourful journey through various lands and traditions, always explaining the basis of the religious faith the per- formers represented.

The title for the children’s programme was “Fly, Butterfly, Fly!” – an appropriate metaphor for growth, change and transformation. Students from the local high school created an animation film to this effect which served as the back- drop to the stage.

After an enthusiastic performance by all the children, the audience was invited to join in a rhythm workshop with Tali- lema, and Ayani opened a stand for traditional face-painting from the Amazon. Fly, Butterfly, Fly! was a huge success and definitely one of the festival’s many high-points! black box, union scene, 2pm Tal Zimra Coleman: Healing Sound workshop

Tal has been actively involved in the festival since its inception. She has held several workshops in meditation and healing sound, and is also a musician with the group Amazon Ensemble. Her workshop at Black Box was set up and designed with the help of Jørgen Nøvik, an artist whose work has also been central to the festival. The Black Box space housed a sand mandala made by Ti- betan monks in 2010 and the Maya Shamans in 2011 and is indeed a sacred space that we would like to use more. strømsø church, 7pm Hermeto Pascoal duo visitors: 150 Hermeto Pascoal thrilled fans and audiences alike with his charismatic presence and musical genius. His requests were unique – a tub of water in the church, in which he and Aline Moreiro fascinated the audience with percussive sounds made in water! Hermeto played on everything from a tea kettle to the Church’s new Mühleisen organ. He was inspired by the old church and performed a beautiful rendi- tion of a hymn from his childhood sung during Easter. He also involved the audience in the composition of a new piece inspired by his stay at the festival. Hermeto said that he has developed a strong bond to the festival and to Drammen and “threatened” to return. We are sure that he will not disap- point! union scene, 10:30pm Jam session visitors: 40 The Jam was an inspiring session with several of the artists performing at the festival. When Espen Jørgensen opened on his guitar, there weren’t many people there. But then came our Cuban friends, almost directly from the airport and the energy levels soared to great heights. Hermeto Pascoal, Talike Gelle (of Talilema), Josef Angyal, Fernando Sallum, Ricardo Sanchez and others jammed into the wee hours of the night, much to the delight of a tired but very happy audience. Sunday 30th afterword union scene foyer, 1pm strømsø church, 7pm Sunday Rumba with Concert for Peace - Closing of The festival has grown considerably Lucumi Oni (Cuba) Drammen Sacred Music Festival 2012 both in quality and size, and we hope to continue our good work so that visitors: 120 visitors: 130 next year’s festival is bigger and better. Members of the group Lucumi Oni shared with us their The Concert for Peace brings together all the participating Yoruban rituals in a traditional Sunday rumba. Five percus- artists at the festival in a dynamic musical homage to peace. We were disappointed to announce sionists, two dancers and a singer performed the ritual that the cancellation of the concert by led us through a pantheon of Yoruban gods and rhythms, Linda Johansen & Tonje Øvern from the Church of Latter Shabaz Hussein and his qawwali and everyone was invited to join in. Day Saints opened the concert with a touching rendition of singers from Pakistan. The concert Ave Maria. Lucumi Oni thrilled us with their rumba before was planned in collaboration with young girls from the Quran school at the Minhaj mosque Drammen’s Cricket Club, but due to sang devotional songs to the accompaniment of the ‘dhaf’ visa complications they were unable drum. Hulda Elira and Mirjam Thorkellsdottir, siblings with to attend the festival. We apologize for an Albanian-Icelandic background charmed us with their this and hope to have them visit in the delightful version of The Rainbow Song from The Muppets. coming years. Svein Westad took us into a meditative state on the Jews harp before we heard the sounds of nature from members Father Paolo dell’Oglio, leader of the of the Huni Kuin tribe accompanied by Fernando Sallum, Deir Mar Musa el Habashi monastery, Sigmund Vatvedt, Nilson Durado and Tal Coleman from the north of Damaskus in Syria, had con- Amazon Ensemble. A trio from the Sikh gurudwara sang firmed his attendance at the festival. devotional songs to the accompaniment of harmonium and Many of us are familiar with Father tabla. The evening’s performance was beautifully rounded Paolo’s work for dialogue and peace in off by the duo Talilema. the region. Due to the recent events in Syria, he had to flee the country Board Member, Arzanne De Vitre led and compeered the and was unable to attend. However closing concert, reading excerpts on peace between perfor- his dedication to the Syrian people mances. and his contribution to peace-keeping efforts across religious groups is com- Artist Kunsang Gyatso’s finished work Entrapment of the mendable, and we applaud him. Samsara was displayed and put up for auction at the closing. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Norbu Dawa Old- We hope that our festival will con- Age Home in Nepal. tinue to contribute to dialogue and collaboration between peoples of all Rev. Ivar Flaten thanked all the artists, sponsors, volunteers, nationalities, religions and cultures so technicians and everyone else who made the festival pos- that we may live together in a peaceful sible. In gratitude to all who participated, and in the spirit of and harmonious world. blessing, he closed the festival with a beautiful rendition of a traditional Christian hymn. next years festival: 16.-22. september 2013