Say hi to our board!

We are so happy to have a diverse and dedicated board who takes care of Borealis’ values and vision. Together with the Chair of the Board Elise Sæle Dahle we would like to thank Jostein Gundersen, Inish and Carol Stampone who finished their term on our board this spring, and welcome our new board members Ruth Grung, Katarina Dorothea Isaksen and Sergej Tchirkov!

From the left: Agnes Hvizdalek (Managing Director), Peter Meanwell (Artistic Director), Elise Sæle Dahle (Board Chairman), Katarina Dorothea Isaksen (Board Member), Karianne Mjelde (Deputy Chairman), Johanne Øra Danielsen (Deputy Member), Ruth Grung (Board Member) and Kathleen Mathisen (Board Member)

The new board members have different backgrounds. Katarina Dorothea Isaksen is an artist and Deputy Chair of Bergen sámiid searvi (Bergen Sámi Association). She speaks fondly of working with Borealis in the past. “I am impressed by what the festival manages to achieve, and the strong values ​​under which Borealis works. With my background in the arts, especially as a joiker, curator and critic, I hope we can mutually benefit from the collaboration. I look forward to both learning from and influencing the work leading up to the next festival,” she says of her new position.

“Art is becoming even more important in a turbulent world in need of change”, Ruth Grung says. She is a politician for the Labour Party, and was a deputy representative to the Norwegian parliament in 2001–2005 and a parliament representative for Hordaland county between 2013–2021. “The arts have a unique ability to both touch and challenge us, and I believe Borealis does both. I look forward to meaningful discussions about how the festival can contribute to raising new voices, setting the agenda and continue creating new creative encounters between art and people.”

Sergej Tchirkov’s hopes and ambitions for the festival include “ensuring sustainable growth that takes into account both environmental and social considerations.” He is an accordionist, curator and researcher, and has a strong interest in contemporary music and works as a research fellow in artistic development at the Grieg Academy in the University of Bergen. “I want us to continue enriching society through cultural experiences and exchanges.”

In 2024 the board has developed a new strategy for Borealis for 2025–2028, which can be read (in Norwegian) here.