Interculture at Union Scene - A taste of the cultural diversity of Drammen Classical ballet and Indian dance in a choreography by Rukmini Chatterjee, Union Scene 2009. Photo: Ellen Stokland
International Drammen The Municipality of Drammen holds as a prioritized task the development of arenas where different national groups can meet, stimulate each other and together create the city s own cultural identity Photo: Birgitte Simensen Berg
Interculture A national center of competence on the promotion of international and intercultural art and culture, established during fall 2009 by the Municipality of Drammen, Cultural Department The view from Union Scene. Photo: Birgitte Simensen Berg
Interculture continued Interculture builds upon the experiences from the development of the cultural house Union Scene Works to develop knowledge, promote and produce art and culture, and contributes to strengthen the cultural diversity in the arts sector Performance by children participating in the project Into the Rhythm. Photo: Tonje Eikrem Jacobsen
Aim: Broad Cultural Program Interculture has as a prioritized task to secure an international and diverse program of arts and culture of high quality for the population of Drammen. Young people and newcomers ar particularly in focus Concert with Drums United during Drum in Drammen, Union Scene 2009. Photo: Tom Atle Bordevik
Concerts at the Union Scene International stars of World Music World musicians with Norway as their base Norwegian and foreign folk and cross over music New in 2009: The Drum in Drammen festival Omara Portuondo from the Buena Vista Social Club performs at Union Scene in April 2010. Photo: Tomás Miña
From an exhibition of design hijabs, November 2009 Photo: Anita Hillestad Exhibitions and Arts Exhibitions on relevant intercultural topics, design and art by intercultural artists Courses and workshops
Aim: Involve the Community It is an aim to get a higher number of the inhabitants of Drammen to attend to the cultural programs and that people in the whole region with it s ethnic and social diversity experiences the city as their own Honey Dancers during the River Festival 2009. Photo: Mar Gueye
Rehearse Spaces and Courses The rehearse spaces and meeting rooms at the Union Scene are widely used by organizations and groups. Among them a Philippine dance group, a Russian association, dance classes and the regional council of immigrants Performance by the Kusum Gboo Dance Ensamble. Photo: Birgitte Simensen Berg
Intercultural Artists Interculture wishes to strengthen the situation of foreign artists in Norway and Drammen, by creating jobs, increase knowledge and constribute to increase the international exchange of artists Open City 2007
Festival on Sacred Music Interculture has initiated collaboration with the associations on religion in Drammen and will for the first time organize a festival on sacred music during fall 2010 Tamil dance during the International Week in 2005. Photo: Birgitte Simensen Berg
Meetings and conferences Interculture collaborates with immigrant associations and facilitates cultural events and meetings Work on dialogue and intercultural encounters Interreligious meeting 2009. Photo: Ellen Stokland
Aim: International focus Interculture initiates and encourages international exchange of artists and culture and collaborates with cultural organizations all over the world Collaboration with the Dutch Tam Tam Productions on the Drum in Drammen Festival, Union Scene 2009. Photo: Tom Atle Bordevik
Are You With Us? Youth in Sweden, Denmark and Norway are invited to develop a music project under the supervision of professional musicians The project has EU funding and initiates in 2010 Hip hop workshop at Union Scene, summer 2009. Photo: Marianne Loraas
Artist in Residence An apartment for artists at the Union Scene is an offer to foreign artists who would like to spend a period doing artistic work in Drammen The River Harp by the Artists in Residence Louise Bertelsen and Po Shu Wang. Photo: The Municipality of Drammen
World Cultures in Drammen The immigrants are carriers of rich cultural and artistic traditions and contributes to establish Drammen as a cosmopolitan and modern city Art and culture from countries such as Turkey and Poland will be more notable in the future Concert with Baba Zula from Turkey at Union Scene 2009. Photo: Tonje Eikrem Jacobsen
Aim: Share Experience Interculture will develop and share experiences and knowledge on intercultural promotion and production, and establish contact with relevant research institutions both regionally and nationally The City Anniversary 2009. Photo: Tonje Eikrem Jacobsen
National Network Interculture aims to be a resource for other municipalities and cultural institutions and contribute to strengthen the cultural diversity in the arts sector by distributing knowledge and building networks Opening buffet at Interculture, November 2009. Photo: Tonje Eikrem Jacobsen
Research and Development Interculture is collaborating with the University College of Telemark and the Norwegian Academy of Music We wish to be a lab for the development of intercultural knowledge and methodology Concert with Pust at Union Scene 2009. Photo: Ellen Stokland
Utune Seminar for world musicians and the music industry in order to strengthen the business knowledge of the artists First seminar in March 2010 From showcase at Utune 2010, Union Scene Photo: Mar Gueye
Sharing at the Internet Interculture uses the Internet to inform about our events and to share knowledge. We are active in social media such as facebook, twitter, youtube and flickr www.drammen.kommune.no/interculture-eng Concert with Ranking Fire from Sweden and Ghana during Utune 2010 at Union Scene. Photo: Mar Gueye
In focus: New Inhabitants Newly arrived immigrants are welcomed to Drammen and offered a cultural program and art courses Interculture collaborates with the Introduction Center and the Job Center in Drammen Utune 2010 at Union Scene. Photo: Mar Gueye
Mo-groove Every week the youth group at the Introduction Center (the Mogru) participates in workshops in singing, dance and drums under the supervision of profetional instructors at the Union Scene The Mo-groove performed for the Norwegian Government at Union Scene, March 2010. Photo: Tonje Eikrem Jacobsen
Masala Textile Workshop Training program for immigrant women recruited through the Introduction Center 10-15 women practice Norwegian, learn sewing and about working in Norway Masala Textile Workshop. Photo: Tonje Eikrem Jacobsen
In focus: Children and Youth All children in Drammen should have the opportunity to enjoy and participate in a wide range of cultural activities in order to develop their talent and have their creativity nurtured Dance workshop, February 2010. Photo: Ellen Stokland
Union Scene for Children Each Saturday there is a cultural program for children at the Union Scene coordinated by Interculture. All organizations present at the cultural house contribute with concerts, theatre, movies, visual arts etc etc
Holiday activities for school children During school holidays Interculture offers activities such as courses teaching traditional Norwegian dances, visual arts, capoeira and street art Street art, summer 2009. Photo: Marianne Loraas
Into the Rhythm All sixth grade pupils in Drammen have taken part in the Into the Rhythm project, 2007-2009 Weekly music and dance workshops with international teachers during one term, finalized with a performance at Union Scene Into the Rhythm at the Frydenhaug school, fall 2009. Photo: Ellen Stokland
Some useful links www.drammen.kommune.no/interculture-eng twitter.com/drminterkultur (Norwegian) tinyurl.com/interkultur-fb (Norwegian) www.unionscene.no (Norwegian) Monster workshop. Photo: Marianne Loraas