The Stories we keep – The Knowledge we share
The Arctic continues to resonate far beyond its geographic boundaries, finding a vibrant presence in the city of Bern. In 2026, this presence unfolds across multiple cultural institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Circumpolar Art, the ALPS, the Bernese Historical Museum (BHM), and—between mid-April and mid-May—, the Hochschule der Künste Bern (HKB), the ARcTic Gallery and Voices NGO. Together, these venues create a dynamic platform that brings Northern perspectives into dialogue with a wider public, inviting visitors to engage deeply with Arctic cultures, knowledge systems, and artistic expressions.
“Arctic Voices 2026”, from the 23rd of April until the 14th of May with 16 events, an interdisciplinary cultural festival, offers a unique opportunity to experience the richness and diversity of the Arctic through all the senses. It is not only an invitation to observe, but also to listen—carefully and attentively—to the many voices that shape the region. Visitors may choose to simply immerse themselves in the atmosphere, allowing impressions, images, and sounds to unfold intuitively. While at the same time, the programme encourages active participation through a variety of workshops led by Sámi artists, creating space for exchange, learning, and shared creativity.
One of many highlights of the programme is the opening exhibition and workshop series by artists Láijla Sofe Egilsdatter and Jo Morten Kåven. Their work opens windows into Sámi cultural practices, artistic traditions, and contemporary expressions, offering insights into the Sámi history and contemporary ways of life that are deeply connected to land, memory, and identity. Through their guidance, participants are invited to engage hands-on with artistic processes, gaining a more embodied understanding of Arctic past and present experiences.
Additional exhibitions broaden the perspective by incorporating voices from Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. Guided tours at MCCA led by Inuit curator Isabelle Avignaq Choquette offer valuable insights, foregrounding Indigenous viewpoints and deepening understanding of the narratives and contexts behind the works. They invite visitors to question familiar assumptions and discover new ways of seeing.
In addition to exhibitions and workshops, “Arctic Voices 2026” features a diverse programme of panel discussions with cultural workers, offering space for dialogue on pressing topics such as cultural resilience, representation, and the role of art in times of environmental and social change. These discussions create a forum where different perspectives meet, highlighting both shared concerns and distinct experiences across Arctic communities.
The programme also includes family storytelling sessions and a joiking afternoon, where traditional forms of expression come to life in an intimate and engaging setting. Joik, one of the oldest musical traditions in Europe, carries personal and collective memories, connecting people, places, and emotions through sound. These events invite audiences of all ages to participate and experience the living heritage of the Arctic in a direct and meaningful way.
Film screenings complement the program by offering visual narratives that expand the thematic scope of the exhibition. Through documentary and artistic film, audiences are introduced to diverse stories from across the circumpolar North, deepening their understanding of the region’s complexities and realities.
Ultimately, “Arctic Voices 2026” is shaped by encounters—between artists and audiences, between different cultural perspectives, and between tradition and contemporary expression. It is an open invitation to engage, to listen, and to reflect. In bringing Arctic voices to Bern, the programme creates a space where dialogue becomes possible and where the richness of Northern cultures can be experienced not as something distant, but as something present, relevant, and deeply human.
Links: articvoices.ch & mcca.ch