As a migrant within the Nordic region the first thing I noticed, apart from the vibrancy of the “Nordic summit for poets, translators, and publishers (31.8.-4.9.2022)” was inclusivity within such a diverse range of poets, performers, cultural organisers, translators, and multimedia artists. The summit acted as a vessel to skill share various practices and knowledges on poetry, multimedia practices, cultural endeavours, and translations. However, an underlying theme became evident as the majority of participants being of multi-cultural heritage.
Woven through the summit were issues of isolation and the struggle of representation. Empowerment among the participants was already standard practice though and the excitement grew from there as we became witness to and part of a collective strength through connections and community through a variety of seminars, discussions, workshops, a panel discussions and performances. The mood was electric as we built to a climax of the summit to found: THE NORDIC UNION OF POETIC DISOBEDIENCE & THE ALLIANCE FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
Literary techniques have become so progressive through various languages, script, and multimedia performances. Forms are developing but staying true to the art of poetry. I saw this though the use of 3D printers and sounds, how Artificial Intelligence can be used to interpret imagery through poetry, how a sense of place changes identity; how experiences, while diverse and personal, are also relatable or have the ability to teach us more about others and ourselves and therefore build connections between cultures via text to receiver and via performance. No matter how distant or isolated a person, poetry has the power to connect and include each individual.
The summit was financed by the Nordisk Kulturfond and hosted by Kirjan talo - Bokens hus