Bergen - European city of culture

by Mrs Oyvor Johnson

Bergen places emphasis on the Bimportance of art and culture in building good social economy and an attractive city for residents and visitors. Art and culture are essential to sustainable urban development. The city has therefore developed a cultural strategy for the period 2003-2013. One of the crucial resources for urban development and knowledge economy in the years to come lies within this area. Cultural policy shall be fundamental to the development of Bergen as a whole; as a good place to live, a good place to visit and for cultural socio-economic development. Ten strategic elements show how culture can drive forward the development of the urban society:

1. The arts and culture as the predomi nant factor in the development
   The arts and culture form an integral part of total planning in the political strategy. The competitive development must be based on further advancement of competence, creativity, culture and communication alike.
2. Cultural wealth - competence as a base for encountering the future
   Bergen aims to satisfy the needs of everyone, providing a good quality of life for all and to promote participation and voluntary contribution to civic life.
3. Cultural democracy - participation, voluntary effort and variety needs of everyone, providing a good quality of life for all and to promote participation and voluntary contribution to civic life.
4. The creative force of the young in creation of wealth
   Bergen aims to provide young people with new opportunities and new challenges through a new youth policy.
5. Bergen as a venue for artistic and cultural festivals
   Bergen will encourage the development of festivals in order to strengthen and stimulate cultural activity and productions.
6. Regional - Western Norwegian - cultural policy
   Bergen aims to contribute to the increased national and international exposure of the region's culture and cultural personalities.
7. International cultural policy
   Further reinforcement of the city's standing as a national artistic centre.
8. Cultural industry - culture and commerce hand in hand
   Certain basic conditions for future innovation and development and growth should be wrought at the intersection of commercial policy and cultural policy.
9. The arts and culture as a basis for development of the tourist industry
   Tourist industry should be deeply rooted in the breadth and variety of artistic and cultural activities.
10. Focus on artistic and cultural pivots/quarters for a vibrant society
    Bergen should have profiled artistic and cultural pivots and increase public access to artistic and cultural experiences.