With the Øresund as a backdrop and their sights set on both the Nordic region and the rest of Europe, representatives from the worlds of culture, media, and civil society gathered for a discussion at Kulturværftet. The occasion was a Nordic symposium addressing a pressing question of our time: What role does culture play when societies are changing, trust is being challenged, and communities are being put to the test?
The conversations spanned languages, generations, and national borders. Not to find quick answers, but to explore how culture can serve as a shared space—a place where differences are not erased, but given room to exist. A space where we can listen, see ourselves reflected in one another, and renegotiate what we share.
A recurring point was that culture is not merely an adjunct to society. It is part of its infrastructure. As the world becomes increasingly fragmented, culture can serve both as a counterforce and a driving force: a space for reflection, but also for action. A way to keep the conversation going, even when disagreements are real.
The podcast, which emerged from the event, brings together key highlights from the symposium. It weaves together perspectives from keynote speeches, panel discussions, and closing reflections into a single narrative about the significance of culture in a Nordic—and European—context.
The event was held on Friday, November 7, 2025, as a collaboration between Kulturværftet and Elsinore 2032, in consultation with Nordic partners.
The podcast is produced by Thomas Bernsen. Find it at Kulturværftet …
Cast:
Lise Bach Hansen · Jens Frimann Hansen · Johann Wessman · Max Granström · Johanna Stenback · Marcus Ekdahl · Søs Krogh Vikkelsøe · Aslak Gottlieb
