With the Øresund as a stunning backdrop and looking towards both the Nordic region and the rest of Europe, people from culture, media, and civil society gathered for a chat at Kulturværftet. It was all part of a Nordic symposium that tackled a big question on everyone's minds these days: What role does culture play when societies are changing, trust is being tested, and communities face challenges?
The conversations flowed across different languages, generations, and national borders. The goal wasn't to find quick answers, but to explore how culture can act as a shared space – a place where differences aren't erased, but celebrated. A space where people can listen, see themselves in others, and rethink what we all share.
A key takeaway was that culture isn't just an extra; it's a fundamental part of society's infrastructure. As the world becomes more fragmented, culture can be both a response and a driving force: a place for reflection, but also for action. It's a way to keep conversations going, even when there are real disagreements.
The podcast, which came out of the day's events, brings together all the main points from the symposium. It weaves together insights from keynote speeches, table discussions, and final thoughts into one complete story about how important culture is in both a Nordic and European setting.
The event took place on Friday, November 7, 2025, as a collaboration between Kulturværftet and Elsinore 2032, and in discussion with our Nordic partners.
The podcast was produced by Thomas Bernsen. You can find it at Kulturværftet …
Featuring:
Lise Bach Hansen · Jens Frimann Hansen · Johann Wessman · Max Granström · Johanna Stenback · Marcus Ekdahl · Søs Krogh Vikkelsøe · Aslak Gottlieb
