It certainly sounds cliched by now to say how nice it is to feel the energy and power of live performance around us again. I will say it anyway. The same is true for professional gatherings, where we are finally out of the screen. My first in-person professional event last year was CINARS 2022, where the innovative talent and coherent representation of the Nordic region got me inspired. 

For its Biennale, CINARS was in its full swing and capacity, presenting 22 shows from eight countries in their official selection and more than 180 performances in the OFF-CINARS. CINARS 2022 took upon itself and exceeded expectations in examining how the pandemic shifted realities and impacted the performing arts ecosystem. Panels, presentations, group discussions, and even artistic creations were curated around topics such as audience diversification, representation, the digital shift and its consequences, and the importance of the environment. Within this context, the prominence of artists and projects from Nordic countries was noticeable. During the official pitch session, where a jury selected the projects that were given the opportunity to be shared with agents and presenters during the CINARS Biennale, four out of eight selections were from the Nordic region: Carte Blanche—the Norwegian National ...