16–18 October 2026 | Mo i Rana & Nesna, Norway
NordSync Forum #5 brings together musicians, educators, representatives of voluntary cultural organisations, and cultural professionals from Norway, Sweden, and Finland for a three-day programme focused on cross-border cultural cooperation, youth engagement, and the development of strong local cultural communities.
The Forum is part of NordSync: Blå Vegen – Cultural Cooperation 2026–2027, an international initiative aimed at strengthening long-term partnerships between cultural organisations along the Blå Vegen (Blue Road/E12) and the surrounding regions of Nordland, Västerbotten, Norrbotten, and Kainuu.
Building on the results of previous NordSync Forums and collaborative projects, this year’s programme places particular emphasis on cooperation between music and arts schools, voluntary organisations, professional artists, and young people.
Theme
Blå Vegen – Cultural Cooperation, Youth and Strong Local Communities
How can cultural organisations, music schools, professional artists, and local communities work together to create more accessible, sustainable, and engaging cultural opportunities for young people?
During 2024–2026, NordSync Project established an extensive network of musicians, educators, cultural institutions, and voluntary organisations across the Nordic region. Several new initiatives and international productions have emerged from these collaborations.
The next step is to move beyond establishing contacts and focus on developing lasting structures for cultural cooperation.
The Forum explores how professional expertise, public cultural education, and voluntary engagement can complement one another, particularly in regions characterised by large geographical distances, smaller communities, and limited access to specialised cultural resources.
A central focus is the development of NordSync Atlas, a new initiative dedicated to youth recruitment, cultural education, international cooperation, and the exploration of innovative approaches to youth participation.
Programme
The programme combines professional presentations, practical workshops, cross-border strategy meetings, artistic activities, and live performances.
Highlights include:
- Presentation of NordSync Atlas – a new Nordic initiative for youth engagement and cultural cooperation.
- Practical workshop exploring new educational and recruitment models for music schools and voluntary organisations.
- Cross-border meetings between cultural partners from Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
- NordSync Lab #5 – Orchestra Courses Reimagined, a collaborative artistic and educational laboratory.
- Performance of Nordisk Suite by Norwegian composer Bodvar Drotninghaug Moe, featuring professional musicians and young performers.
- Participation in cultural events at the Smeltedigelen Festival.
- Cultural excursion to Nesna, including a closing concert and presentations by Nordic partner organisations.
NordSync Atlas – A New Initiative for Nordic Youth
One of the main events of NordSync Forum #5 is the presentation of NordSync Atlas, a new development initiative bringing together NordSync’s work with children and young people across Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Atlas builds on experiences from previous projects, including KULTURKOMBO, Rainbow Strings, and Nordic Youth Music Initiative.
The initiative focuses on four interconnected areas:
Recruitment and participation – Developing new approaches to attracting children and young people to cultural activities, including those who have previously discontinued their music or arts education.
Educational innovation – Exploring new interdisciplinary models that combine music and artistic development with other activities, practical skills, and creative learning.
Digital cooperation – Investigating how digital platforms and new technologies can improve access to cultural education and international collaboration, particularly in geographically remote communities.
Young Cultural Ambassadors – Developing a mentoring and participation programme in which young people become active representatives of their local cultural communities and contribute to the development of future international projects.
Through NordSync Atlas, we aim to create stronger connections between local cultural environments and develop new opportunities for young people to learn, collaborate, and participate across national borders.
Featured Speaker
Stepan Frolov
Violinist, Cultural Producer and Founder of NordSync Project
Stepan Frolov is a Norwegian-based violinist and cultural producer working with international artistic collaboration, music education, and interdisciplinary cultural projects.
As the founder and coordinator of NordSync Project, he has been involved in developing partnerships between professional musicians, cultural institutions, music schools, and voluntary organisations across the Nordic region.
His work particularly focuses on creating sustainable models for cooperation between professional and amateur musicians, developing opportunities for young performers, and strengthening cultural connections between communities.
Presentation
NordSync Atlas – Building a Shared Nordic Cultural Space for Young People
This presentation introduces the vision and development of NordSync Atlas, including its main objectives, planned activities, and opportunities for international cooperation.
Special attention will be given to the role of voluntary cultural organisations, music schools, and young people in shaping future cultural initiatives.
Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Time: 10:00–11:00
Location: Conference Hall, Home Hotel Helma, Mo i Rana
Workshop
Atlas in Practice – New Models for Cultural Education and Cooperation
How can we make music education and cultural activities more attractive, accessible, and relevant to young people?
This practical workshop brings together educators, musicians, and representatives of cultural organisations from Norway, Sweden, and Finland to explore new approaches to teaching, recruitment, and collaboration.
Participants will exchange experiences from their respective institutions and examine how music schools, professional musicians, and voluntary organisations can develop joint activities.
The workshop will also draw on practical experiences from Nordic Youth Music Initiative – Helgeland 2026 and NordSync Lab #5.
The aim is to identify methods and collaborative models that can be adapted and implemented in different local communities.
Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Time: 11:00–13:00
Location: Conference Hall, Home Hotel Helma, Mo i Rana
Cross-Border Strategy Meeting (NO–SE–FI)
From Networks to Long-Term Partnerships
A dedicated meeting bringing together representatives of music schools, voluntary cultural organisations, professional musicians, and cultural institutions from Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
The meeting focuses on strengthening cooperation within the Blå Vegen region and developing concrete plans for future joint activities.
Topics include:
- Presentation of ongoing initiatives and activities among partner organisations.
- Cooperation between music schools and voluntary cultural associations.
- Youth recruitment, international exchange, and new educational formats.
- Further development of NordSync Atlas and the Young Cultural Ambassadors initiative.
- Planning of joint projects and cultural activities for 2027–2028.
- Opportunities for cross-border funding and shared project development.
The meeting aims to identify practical opportunities for cooperation and establish the next steps towards sustainable international partnerships.
Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Time: 14:00–17:00
Location: Home Hotel Helma, Mo i Rana
NordSync Lab #5
Orchestra Courses – Reimagined
14–18 October 2026 | Mo i Rana, Norway
As part of the Forum programme, participants are invited to experience NordSync Lab #5, a practical artistic and educational laboratory exploring new approaches to traditional orchestra courses.
The Lab brings together professional musicians, music educators, amateur performers, and young musicians from Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Through rehearsals, workshops, and collaborative performances, participants investigate how orchestra courses can become broader meeting places for artistic development, education, recruitment, and international cultural exchange.
An important part of the Lab is the collaboration with Nordic Youth Music Initiative – Helgeland 2026, which brings together approximately 120 participants from the three countries.
The project provides a practical example of how music schools, voluntary orchestra associations, and professional musicians can collaborate on larger international productions.
The artistic work culminates in a public performance of Nordisk Suite by composer Bodvar Drotninghaug Moe.
Main Artistic Presentation
Date: Friday, 16 October 2026
Time: 17:00–18:00
Location: Spektrum Meyergården, Mo i Rana
The Lab continues throughout the weekend with professional exchange, workshops, and a closing presentation in Nesna.
NordSync Showcase
Nordisk Suite – Nordic Youth Music Initiative
A major highlight of the programme is the performance of Nordisk Suite, composed by Norwegian composer Bodvar Drotninghaug Moe.
The production brings together professional musicians, soloists, and young orchestra participants from Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Developed through the collaboration between NordSync Project, regional music schools, and voluntary cultural organisations, the project demonstrates how international artistic cooperation can create meaningful educational opportunities for young musicians.
The performance also serves as the main artistic presentation of NordSync Lab #5 – Orchestra Courses Reimagined.
Date: Friday, 16 October 2026
Time: 17:00–18:00
Location: Spektrum Meyergården, Mo i Rana
Cooperation – Smeltedigelen Festival
NordSync Forum #5 takes place in connection with the Smeltedigelen Festival in Mo i Rana.
Smeltedigelen provides an important cultural setting for the international gathering, giving participants the opportunity to experience performances by established artists and engage with the local professional music environment.
Smeltedigelen provides an important cultural setting for the international gathering, giving participants the opportunity to experience performances by established artists and engage with the local professional music environment.
The cultural programme includes:
Thursday, 15 October
20:00–21:00 – Concert by Ánnásuolo
Location: Kinoteateret
21:30 – Concert by Ketil Bjørnstad
Location: Teaterkaféen
Saturday, 17 October
18:30–19:45 – Concert by Helgeland Symphony Orchestra
Location: Samfunnssalen
These events provide opportunities for cultural exchange, networking, and informal discussions alongside the professional Forum programme.
Nordic Cultural Excursion and Closing Concert
Discovering Helgeland – Music and Cultural Exchange in Nesna
The final day of NordSync Forum #5 takes participants on a cultural excursion from Mo i Rana to Nesna.
The journey offers international guests an opportunity to experience the landscape and cultural environment of Helgeland, strengthening the social and cultural dimensions of the gathering.
The excursion concludes with a concert and presentations at Nesna Church, featuring young musicians and representatives of participating music schools and cultural organisations from Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
The event highlights the Forum’s commitment to youth participation and cooperation between voluntary cultural communities.
Young performers will have the opportunity to present their musical work, while partner organisations will share insights into their activities and experiences.
The closing concert is organised in cooperation with Nordic Youth Music Initiative – Helgeland 2026.
Date: Sunday, 18 October 2026
Time: 12:00–12:45
Location: Nesna Church, Nesna
Participating Organisations and International Partners
NordSync Forum #5 and NordSync Lab #5 are organised in cooperation with cultural institutions, music schools, and voluntary organisations from Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Participating organisations and collaborating environments include:
Norway
- NordSync Project / NordSync Productions
- Rana Kulturskole
- Vefsn Kulturskole
- Helgeland Symphony Orchestra
- Rødøy Orkesterforening
- Strykekameratene
- Alstahaug Orkesterforening
- Smeltedigelen Festival
Sweden
- KulturAkademin Storuman
- Lycksele Musiksällskap
- Lycksele Musikskolan
Finland
- Kuhmo Music Institute (Kuhmon musiikkiopisto)
Additional cultural organisations, professional musicians, and educators from the NordSync network will also participate.
Practical Information
Dates: 16–18 October 2026
NordSync Lab #5: 14–18 October 2026
Location: Mo i Rana and Nesna, Nordland, Norway
Arrival: 15 October 2026 for Forum participants
Departure: 18 October 2026
Accommodation: Home Hotel Helma, Mo i Rana
Main Forum Venue: Home Hotel Helma – Conference Hall
Workshops and Rehearsals: Rana Kulturskole
Main Concert: Spektrum Meyergården, Mo i Rana
Closing Concert: Nesna Church
Programme and Invitation
The detailed programme and practical information for both NordSync Forum #5 and NordSync Lab #5 are available in the event documents.
Invitation – NordSync Forum #5 & NordSync Lab #5
Download PDF
Preliminary Schedule – NordSync Forum #5 & NordSync Lab #5
Download PDF
For further information, please contact:
NordSync Productions
Email: nordsync.project@hotmail.com
Phone: +47 925 08 815
We look forward to welcoming our partners, colleagues, and new participants to Mo i Rana!
See you in Helgeland!
