New voices from Kven, Forest Finn, Romani/Traveller and Roma cultures
Folk Sessions National Minorities is Riksscena’s talent development programme for young artists connected to Norway’s national minorities. Through collaboration with organizations, artistic communities and tradition bearers, we develop individual projects tailored to the artistic expressions, traditions and needs of each minority community.
The programme builds on the methodology of Folk Sessions, giving young artists time and space for in-depth exploration, opportunities to meet mentors and tradition bearers, and the chance to develop their own artistic projects.
Folk Sessions National Minorities currently consists of projects connected to Kven, Forest Finn, Romani/Traveller and Roma art and culture.
Folk Sessions kvääni
Folk Sessions Kvääni is Riksscena’s talent development programme in collaboration with Kvääniteatteri and Karhutanssi Dance Company. The project brings together ten young talents in dance, music and theatre. Through gatherings, mentoring and artistic processes, they explore Kven art and culture through the lens of their own artistic practices.
Project Manager: Astrid Serine Hoel
Dance: Iris Engeness, Ellinor Ødegård Staurbakk, Marius Næss and Eilif Hellum Noraker
Mentors: Eva Svaneblom, Helle Levang Moum, Sigurd Johan Heide and Astrid Serine Hoel
Music: Hilja Balsnes Løvvik, Isidor Abdelkader and Viljar Ratama Duđerovi
Mentors: Jakop Janssøn, Trygve Beddari and Kristin Mellem
Theatre: Mikkel Rundberg, Sander Eriksen and Ingvild Kristin Kirkvik
Mentors: Ellen Zahl Jonassen, Frank Jørstad and Teodor Janson
Folk Sessions Forest Finn
Folk Sessions Forest Finn was launched during Tolvmannadagen at Riksscena in May 2025. The programme consists of three different projects that explore, carry forward and develop Forest Finn art and culture in different ways.
Stine Bogsveen
Artist and songwriter Stine Bogsveen joined Folk Sessions in 2025 to develop her own concert, which was presented at the Forest Finn family day Tolvmannadagen at Riksscena. That same year, Bogsveen released her debut album and continues to work on new material rooted in her Forest Finn artistic identity.
Artist: Stine Bogsveen
Dances from Finnskogen
This project focuses on the distinctive pols dance tradition from Finnskogen. The aim is to give a new generation of dancers an in-depth understanding of the dance, so that the tradition can be carried forward and passed on to future generations.
Music: Marte Haltli and Jonathan Jansson
Dance: Minde Storsnes, Hedda Hernes, Tilia Hernes Paasche-Aasen, Ånund Meberg Myhren, Rudolf Sisu Sarroma, Einar Assis and Emil Bjølgerud
Artistic Research and In-Depth Exploration
Four artists with different artistic backgrounds have been given the opportunity to research and explore Forest Finn culture and their own Forest Finn heritage in depth.
Actors Maiken Rye and Rose Marie Aker have carried out extensive research in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Among other things, this work resulted in the theatre production Visst faen är du skogfinne, developed through a collaboration between Folk Sessions and DKS Innlandet.
Fashion and costume designer Vårhild Bakke Berntzen explores Forest Finn cultural heritage from a contemporary perspective, including through materials and craft techniques connected to Forest Finn cultural history. Stine Bogsveen is also involved in this part of the project through her musical practice.
Artists: Maiken Rye, Rose Marie Aker, Vårhild Bakke Berntzen and Stine Bogsveen
Folk Sessions Romani/Traveller
Folk Sessions Romani/Traveller is being developed in collaboration with Musikk Innlandet and Stiftinga Hilmar Alexandersen. The aim is to create a safe environment where young performers can meet tradition bearers and work artistically at the intersection of tradition and innovation.
A reference group has been established with representatives from relevant organizations and communities. The first part of the programme is planned in collaboration with the Hilmar Ung talent programme, with further project development leading up to Innpuls 2027.
Partners: Musikk Innlandet and Stiftinga Hilmar Alexandersen
Folk Sessions Roma
Folk Sessions Roma aims to highlight young Roma artists in Norway and facilitate artistic development, mentoring and new encounters between tradition and contemporary practice.
The programme is being developed towards 2027, marking one hundred years since the so-called “Gypsy Clause” was adopted. As part of the commemoration, Riksscena is planning a major concert production, and the Folk Sessions methodology will be used to identify and develop new artistic voices from Norway’s Roma community.
Launch: Autumn 2026
