On January, the 20th, 2015, the team of the „Skaņu mežs” festival from Latvia visited Tromsø, Norway in order to have a meeting with the organizers of the local Insomnia festival. They discussed their further plans within the project “Experimental Music Lighthouses: Riga – Tromsø” (proj. nr. EEZLV04/GSKA/2013/10). The results of this collaborative project will be reflected in the 2015 editions of both festivals.

The meeting happened on the last day of polar night – the sun did not rise above the horizon. During the meeting, organizers of both festivals consolidated their plans of artist exchange and audiovisual residencies in both cities.

A jointly curated program of innovative music from Europe was also put together.

Finally, two artists were chosen for a Latvian-Norwegian commissioned work: a new composition, dedicated to the sonic environments of Riga and Tromsø’s harbours. The Latvian artist will be Voldemārs Johansons, whereas the Norwegian artist will be announced in March.

All musicians and artists, involved in the project, will be announced gradually, so keep tuned for more info!

Skaņu mežs’2015 will happen on October 2, 9 and 10, whereas Insomnia is scheduled for October 22 – 24.

The aim of the project is to promote a four part cooperation between Skaņu Mežs and Insomnia. This includes, amongst other things: the production of a Latvian/Norwegian composition; an exchange of Latvian and Norwegian musicians between the programs of the festival; creating a mutual festival program; the exchange of new compositions between Riga and Tromsø with the help of artists’ residencies. The unique soundscapes of both cities and their symbiosis is the emphasis of each of the exchange.

For further information, please visit: www.eeagrants.org