The event series “Arctic Voices” is an interdisciplinary cultural festival taking place in Bern from April 23 to May 14, 2026. It brings Indigenous voices, perspectives, and stories from Arctic regions to the city, making them visible and audible through a variety of formats.
Through exhibitions, workshops, talks, film screenings, and other events, the festival creates an intergenerational space for encounters, exchange, and shared learning.
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DE:
Die Event-Reihe «Arctic Voices» ist ein spartenübergreifendes Kulturfestival, das vom 23. April bis 14. Mai 2026 in Bern stattfindet und Indigene Stimmen, Perspektiven und Geschichten aus arktischen Regionen nach Bern bringt und in vielfältigen Formaten hör- und sichtbar macht. Mit Ausstellungen, Workshops, Gesprächen, Filmvorführungen und weiteren Formaten schafft das Festival einen generationenübergreifenden Raum für Begegnung, Austausch und gemeinsames Lernen.
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NO:
Eventserien «Arctic Voices» er en tverrfaglig kulturfestival som finner sted fra 23. april til 14. mai 2026 i Bern, og som bringer urfolks stemmer, perspektiver og fortellinger fra arktiske regioner til byen og gjør dem synlige og hørbare gjennom et mangfold av formater.
Med utstillinger, workshops, samtaler, filmvisninger og andre arrangementer skaper festivalen et generasjonsoverskridende rom for møter, utveksling og felles læring.
- Thursday, 23 April, 18:00 – ARcTic gallery (Gerechtigkeitsgasse 52, Bern): Opening of Arctic Voices and vernissage of the exhibition “While We Clung to the Façade” by Norwegian Sámi artists Láijla Sofe Egilsdatter Swart and Jo Morten Kåven
- Friday, 24 April, 17:30 – ARcTic gallery: Poetry Workshop with Láijla Sofe Egilsdatter Swart (registration required)
- Sunday, 26 April, 13:30 & 15:30 – MCCA: Encaustic Art Workshop with Jo Morten Kåven (two groups, registration required)
- Wednesday, 6 May, 18:00 – MCCA: Joik Workshop with Ailloš (Ingor Antte Ailu Gaup) (registration required)
- Friday, 8 May, 18:30 – MCCA: Performance and panel discussion “Voices Meet: How Indigenous Culture Survives” with Ailloš and other guests (incl. Swiss Jodel)
- Wednesday, 13 May, 14:00 & 15:00 – MCCA: Family workshop “Geschichten, Musik und Kreativität aus dem hohen Norden” with Kim Leine and Jo Morten Kåven (two groups, registration required)
You can find the full programme here
Credit: Logo – Jo Morten Kåven @jomokko19
Poster: Nancy Saunders
