Kick-off meeting and matchmaking event for the EEA Grants held in Warsaw Poland

Among the speakers was the Polish author Nina Witoszek, author of Norske naturmytologier, who has lived in Norway for four decades. She gave an interesting talk on the connection between culture and nature.

Sverre Pedersen, a representative of Freemuse, an organisation that campaigns for artistic freedom, also gave a presentation on the importance of freedom of expression in the arts. On behalf of Iceland, Ambassador Friðrik gave a speech in which he spoke concisely about the influence of Icelandic cultural heritage on the present day, including on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. The presentation by Sylwia Zajkowska, a Polish artist based in Iceland who was the first foreign Fjallkona, also attracted attention. She spoke about her life and work in Iceland, where she has worked largely within the performing arts.

The following day, a networking conference was held with ten Icelandic participants from all parts of the country, including from the Association of Icelandic Performing Arts, the Icelandic Dance Association, the Writers' Union of Iceland, and cultural institutions from around the country, such as in Borgarnes, Egilsstaðir, and Skriðuklaustur. The conference was also attended by around 40 Norwegians and about 100 Poles. The meeting took place in the new and magnificent Polish History Museum in Warsaw. The meeting went well, and projects and opportunities for collaboration were presented. The Icelandic participants performed very well, and most managed to establish connections with Polish professional associations and partners.

Following the conference, a reception was hosted by the Icelandic Embassy in Warsaw.

Preparations for the next application period are well underway and the aim is to announce calls for proposals at the beginning of June.

The next meeting will be held at the end of September during the so-called “meeting week”, which will include a Programme Operator meeting (PO meeting) with around 40 participants from the countries of the EEA and Norway Grants with financial contributions to cultural affairs.