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Previous participant: Melissa Dems
This experience was not only an amazing experience took on its own but also because it marks the end of my Franco-German volunteer year for Jazzdor in Strasbourg which was full of illuminating and wonderful encounters. I learned so many things during this one year concerning the European jazz scene from a French point of view and so, during the exchange I got to see a whole different work strategy in a whole different country with its own cultural, historical, and political background.
From: Jazzdor (France)
To: Oslo Jazz Festival (Norway)
Dates: 13 - 21 August 2023
I had the opportunity to stay during the whole week of the Oslo Jazzfestival. This experience was not only an amazing experience took on its own but also because it marks the end of my Franco-German volunteer year for Jazzdor in Strasbourg which was full of illuminating and wonderful encounters. I learned so many things during this one year concerning the European jazz scene from a French point of view and so, during the exchange I got to see a whole different work strategy in a whole different country with its own cultural, historical, and political background.
During the week I got to get to know the team, get insights into the Norwegian jazz scene, and see many great concerts. I remarked several differences from what I was used to in France and to understand them I really enjoyed discussing about these differences with artists, the staff, and other more experienced invited international professionals. I had many very interesting conversations that really made me deep dive into my stay. I was astonished to see how the approach to the jazz scene for the general Norwegian public and thus for the organizer was pretty different from what was common to me. For instance, it was inspiring to see how many volunteers were helping out at the festival and how there was a community built around the volunteers which one could see mainly during lunch/dinner times but also outside of that. Also, the staff, consisting of only three people and two interns, was part of this community.
In Sentralen at the office everyone could get together in a charmingly open ambiance where each one was welcome. I absolutely loved this spirit there. In addition, I really enjoyed the diversity of the bands and of the public. I loved learning about Oslojazz Talent through which the festival actively supports younger artists to find their place in the Norwegian jazz universe. Furthermore, the diversity of the musicians and the public was equally mirrored by the variety of different concert venues reaching from more conventional places such as the Operaen to more Berlin-ish venues such as the Blå.
Overall, I learned so many things during this too quickly ending week which I am very grateful for. It always feels so good to broaden one’s horizon and to come back with plenty of new ideas on how things can be treated differently!
Instagram highlights: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17878210133882236/
To: Oslo Jazz Festival (Norway)
Dates: 13 - 21 August 2023
I had the opportunity to stay during the whole week of the Oslo Jazzfestival. This experience was not only an amazing experience took on its own but also because it marks the end of my Franco-German volunteer year for Jazzdor in Strasbourg which was full of illuminating and wonderful encounters. I learned so many things during this one year concerning the European jazz scene from a French point of view and so, during the exchange I got to see a whole different work strategy in a whole different country with its own cultural, historical, and political background.
During the week I got to get to know the team, get insights into the Norwegian jazz scene, and see many great concerts. I remarked several differences from what I was used to in France and to understand them I really enjoyed discussing about these differences with artists, the staff, and other more experienced invited international professionals. I had many very interesting conversations that really made me deep dive into my stay. I was astonished to see how the approach to the jazz scene for the general Norwegian public and thus for the organizer was pretty different from what was common to me. For instance, it was inspiring to see how many volunteers were helping out at the festival and how there was a community built around the volunteers which one could see mainly during lunch/dinner times but also outside of that. Also, the staff, consisting of only three people and two interns, was part of this community.
In Sentralen at the office everyone could get together in a charmingly open ambiance where each one was welcome. I absolutely loved this spirit there. In addition, I really enjoyed the diversity of the bands and of the public. I loved learning about Oslojazz Talent through which the festival actively supports younger artists to find their place in the Norwegian jazz universe. Furthermore, the diversity of the musicians and the public was equally mirrored by the variety of different concert venues reaching from more conventional places such as the Operaen to more Berlin-ish venues such as the Blå.
Overall, I learned so many things during this too quickly ending week which I am very grateful for. It always feels so good to broaden one’s horizon and to come back with plenty of new ideas on how things can be treated differently!
Instagram highlights: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17878210133882236/
