Another International Theatre Afternoon was held on September 8, 2024, in Storslett, Northern Norway. Hosted by Kvääniteatteri, the event brought together artists and companies from across Europe, including Teatr Piba (Brittany) and Tryater (Friesland), for a vibrant celebration of Kven, Breton, and Frisian languages and cultures through theatre, music, and shared reflection.
The programme featured an intimate performance of Fanfare by Tryater – a personal monologue written by Wessel de Vries, staged in a living-room setting to preserve the emotional intensity and original concept of the piece.
Teatr Piba presented Bastard – a deeply personal work enriched by evocative Breton music and language.
Kvääniteatteri offered a preview reading of their upcoming production Sallikaa lasten tulla minun tykö – Let the Little Children Come to Me, written by Inger Birkelund. The play tells the story of a woman reflecting on motherhood, faith, and shame, as she lies awake next to her pregnant daughter. It explores her journey of detachment from a strict religious upbringing in northern Norway and the psychological legacy of social control, stigma, and love. The script, written in minority languages, is part of phōnē and will premiere in March 2025 at the National Theatre in Oslo.
Following the performances, an artist talk hosted by actor and curator Frank Jørstad invited audience members into dialogue with the creative teams.
The international group also visited Tørfoss Kven Farm, where a youth theatre production and concert took place in the countryside. Children and teenagers from the region performed music and stories rooted in Finnish and Kven traditions, accompanied by a local market and traditional food. Participants also visited a historic Kven schoolhouse, where they were welcomed with freshly made waffles, jam, cream, and regional cheese.
The event concluded with a communal closing dinner on September 9 in a traditional Sámi lavvu tent, accompanied by music and a bonfire – a warm and unforgettable evening that closed the three-day gathering with shared food, stories, and intercultural exchange under the northern skies.
