Macks Ølbryggeri is the northernmost brewery in the world. The brewery was founded in 1877 by Ludwig Markus Mack. Mack is the fourth largest brewery in Norway, and is probably one of the strongest brands from Northern Norway. Their main production is located in Nordkjosbotn, approximately 70 km from Tromsø. Mack's historical sites in Tromsø houses their administration, the beer shop Kjeller 5, the legendary pub Ølhallen and Mack Microbrewery.

Christopher is artistic director, promoter and producer behind Bronson Produzioni, Bronson Recordings, and festivals such as Beaches Brew and Transmissions. From running a club on the beach to curating for Santarcangelo’s performing arts festival, he has built a career connecting new artists with audiences worldwide.

Koen has worked across Europe’s underground for over twenty years as promoter, agent, label manager and curator. With Subroutine Records and the platform Yugofuturism, he champions emerging acts from the Baltics to the Balkans, creating connections between artists, venues and audiences. He is also behind VIKENDICA, a nomadic festival that brings adventurous sounds to new stages.

With experience from Malmö, Træna and Bodø, Moa Bjørnson is dedicated to unlocking the potential of places and communities. At Træna 365, she leads projects such as the Ytri landscape hotel, while in Molobyen she is reshaping a former industrial zone into a vibrant cultural neighbourhood. For her, it’s all about how people give meaning to a place.

Diversity is one of the defining challenges – and opportunities – in today’s cultural sector. How can museums, festivals and performance venues truly reflect society as a whole? Not only through who is represented on stage or on the walls, but also through who feels welcomed into the audience. Programming with diversity in mind is not just about representation – it is about creating space for new stories, perspectives and encounters.

This conversation brings together cultural leaders who are rethinking what inclusive programming can look like in practice. How can institutions engage audiences that have traditionally been left out? What are the barriers, and how can they be overcome? And most importantly: what does a more diverse cultural landscape mean for the future of the arts?

Panelists:

• Wenche Viktorsdatter Paulsen, Artistic Director of Riksteatret (The Norwegian Touring Theatre)
• Susanne Næss Nilsen, Director of the Arctic Arts Festival (Festspillene i Nord-Norge)
• Selena Sefany, Senior Communications Advisor at the Munch Museum (Norway)
• Balazs Weyer, Artistic Director of Hangvetö (Hungary)

Mazlum Karataş, a Kurdish multi-instrumentalist musician and activist, delves into the rich tapestry of Mesopotamian musical heritage, infusing it with modern elements to create a unique blend of electro-folk and traditional sounds. With a repertoire spanning genres, Karataş’s music resonates with the essence of his cultural roots while embracing contemporary influences.

Le Silk Studio is the creative team behind the visual identity of Tromsø World. In their work, design is more than decoration – it is storytelling. Through colors, shapes and imagery, they create a profile that reflects the spirit of the festival and makes it stand out locally and internationally.

At ClientEarth, Isla Angus brings together two worlds: culture and climate action. With a background as a talent agent for international touring acts, she now focuses on how the music industry and artists can play a role in creating systemic change for the planet.