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Arctic summit to be held in Ubmeje/Umeå this summer
Decision-makers, researchers, and cultural practitioners from six Arctic countries will gather in Ubmeje/Umeå this June, as Sweden hosts the fourth edition of the cultural policy summit Arctic Arts Summit.
The summit will focus on the conditions for culture, research, and Indigenous perspectives.
From 16–18 June, the summit will take place across several venues in Ubmeje/Umeå, including the cultural centre Väven and Umeå Folkets Hus.
This fourth edition will be the largest Arctic Arts Summit to date, featuring a programme of more than 120 sessions. More than 600 delegates from across the Arctic are expected to attend.
“For the first time in Sweden, Arctic decision-makers will convene around shared challenges and opportunities at a summit initiated by Indigenous peoples. Arctic Arts Summit places Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of life at the centre, positioning them as guiding forces for artistic and cultural development,” says Jerker Bexelius, Chair of the Sámi cultural network Viermie K.
The theme of this year’s summit is “Land, Power and Art,” highlighting culture as a political and social force.
Bringing the summit to Ubmeje/Umeå is an initiative by Viermie K. The Swedish Arts Council, Region Västerbotten, Umeå Municipality and Umeå University are partners in the planning and delivery of the event.
“Arctic Arts Summit provides an important platform to raise key issues on an international stage, foster collaboration and strengthen cultural infrastructure. It is only natural that the summit is held here — Umeå is a city with strong cultural ambitions. As part of the Arctic, we also need to be active in these conversations,” says Jenny Skarstedt, Director of Culture, Umeå Municipality.
A core ambition of Arctic Arts Summit is to reshape the narrative of the Arctic — from a region defined by resource extraction to one recognised for knowledge, creativity and cultural leadership, rooted in Indigenous and northern perspectives.
The full programme will be announced shortly.
FACTS
Arctic Arts Summit was first held in Norway in 2017, followed by Finland in 2019 and Canada in 2022.
The summit brings together participants from six Arctic countries: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Greenland, Iceland and Canada. Russia is not invited due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. English is the main working language of the summit.
Registration is required to attend. Members of the public will also have access to selected open programme sessions.
Main organisers: Viermie K, Umeå Municipality, Region Västerbotten, the Swedish Arts Council, Umeå University, Såhkie – Umeå Sámi Association, and the Arctic Arts Summit Secretariat.
Funders: The Swedish Arts Council, Region Västerbotten, Umeå Municipality, Umeå University, and Culture in the North (Regions of Norrbotten, Västerbotten, Västernorrland and Jämtland Härjedalen).
To apply for accreditation, please contact mattias.mitz@umea.se
Contact
Jenny Skarstedt
Director of Culture, Umeå Municipality
+46 90 16 34 13
Victoria Harnesk
Communications Officer, Viermie K
+46 70 233 56 10
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