From all the way across continents, Concerts Norway -- an organisation that started on its own to promote live music in their country, is silently working for the betterment of Bangla music and culture, and building artistic bonds through exchange. Working at various levels -- from traditional music to classical dance to rock music, they have formed a bridge from which bigger things can be expected. Anne Moberg and Solveig Korum Manga, two people at the helm of International Projects of Concerts Norway, recently visited The Daily Star, and shared their experience. 

Asked how Concerts Norway became interested in Bangladesh's culture, Solveig went back to the early days of the organisation some 40 years back, when they had found out that the immigrant population's cultures were important to portray as well, and worked towards it, and also built an ethnic music centre. Their work was so successful that the Norwegian government asked Concerts Norway to work with them, and it is part of the government's interest in cultural diversity that the organisation began working in the sub-continental region. In October 2011, the Norwegian Embassy entered into an agreement with Concerts Norway to promote music cooperation between Norway and Bangladesh. The objective is to raise competence in Bangladesh in sound techniques, musical copyright and the documentation of musical traditions that are in danger of disappearing, as well as musical exchanges. Another goal is to strengthen the coordination between Bangladeshi musical communities and international partners. They have so far found solid partners in BITA (Bangladeshi Institute of Theatre Arts), dance school Nritya Nandan, Lalmonirhat-based music school Arshi Nagar and Dhaka's urban music organisers Live Square Music. Chhayanaut is also a “friend” of the cooperation, and offers various kinds of support.  

Children at Arshi Nagar school.

One of the most significant works by the organisation has been “Songs of death and freedom -- in Bangladesh”, a two-CD compilation of folk songs sung by kids of the Arshi Nagar. Anne shared the story of how they got in touch. “Arshi Nagar had a Norwegian friend before us, poet-writer Wera Sæther, who came to visit Bangladesh and fell in love with the school. Her organisation Suno Norway supports Arshi Nagar, and it is through her that we got to know about it, and it seemed like a great space to work in. The kids sing with so much heart and about such deep philosophical matters, and the teaching method is still so organic, it was important to give them exposure, and along with Wera, we did it.” 

Another major work being done recently by Concerts Norway is an exposition of traditional musical instruments of Bangladesh and musical history to the youth, a yearlong project in association with BITA that is going on in full swing. Their other collaborations have facilitated urban fusion band Chirkutt and Nritya Nandan's dancers to go and perform in Norway, and Norwegian band Casa Murillo and other artistes performing in Dhaka.

While there are able organisations in our country shying away from working towards the betterment of our culture, a European organisation's commitment to it is a shining example of how important culture is to any country, and what beautiful friendships it can forge.