- Ibsen was Norwegian by birth, but universal in spirit, said Liv Ullmann at the opening of the gala celebration at Oslo City Hall on Saturday 14 January. The world was invited to Oslo to demonstrate Ibsen’s significance to the international world of art today. The performance was the kick-off for an international commemoration of Ibsen that will include over four thousand performances in 72 countries.
20/01/2006 :: Present at the performance were Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja, as well as Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre. And they and the packed audience were treated to quite a spectacular show:
Dancers, singers and musicians from all corners of the world presented Ibsen in new shapes and forms: ‘Peer Gynt’ in motor-mouth Danish rap-style, ‘Hedda Gabler’ in fiery red Chinese silk. ‘Ghosts’ as sensual British ballet, and Margrete’s lullaby in Swahili. From India, a dramatic pas de deux between Krogstad and Helmer from ’A Doll’s House’. The performances had a focus on Ibsen as a generator and inspiration for other artists within theatre, film, dance and music – worldwide.
During the celebration, ’The Ibsen Centennial Award’ was presented to ten of the world’s most prominent female Ibsen interpreters: Glenda Jackson and Claire Bloom of Great Britain, Isabelle Huppert of France, Angela Winkler of Germany, Saoli Mitra of India, as well as Scandinavian first ladies of theatre Ghita Nørby (Denmark), Bibi Andersson (Sweden), Liv Ullmann, Lise Fjeldstad and Wenche Foss (all three from Norway).
Photo: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Henrik Ibsen (1828 - 1906) is often considered the father of modern drama. Characters in his plays continue to engage audiences all over the world, and many of the socio-political topics brought up in his dramas are now central themes in world politics, for instance on the UN agenda: Freedom of speech, equal rights and corruption are but a few examples. Every week, Ibsen’s plays are performed on between 120 and 150 stages around the world.
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs